The Alliance Party and the anti-paramilitary group, Families Against Intimidation and Terror (FAIT), have launched campaigns for a Yes vote on the Northern Ireland Agreement.
The Alliance leader, Lord Alderdice, said the people of Northern Ireland would condemn themselves to a future of despair and misery if they rejected the agreement.
Challenging the Rev Ian Paisley to a public debate, Lord Alderdice said: "Dr Paisley is probably saying that this agreement is the worst thing to have happened in Northern Ireland. He is wrong. He is trying to mislead people. "The truth is that this is one of the first really good things to happen to Northern Ireland for a very long time. I challenge him to a public debate on this agreement." Dr Paisley said he would welcome a debate with Lord Alderdice at tomorrow's meeting of the Northern Ireland Forum. The Alliance leader challenged the motives of the DUP in launching its No campaign. "Some people fear that if there is agreement, their day is past. They want to maintain divisions and discord because it is the foundation on which they have built their entire political edifice."
FAIT's development officer, Mr Glyn Roberts, said the agreement represented the best chance for peace in a generation. "We cannot let it slip," he said. "We give it our full endorsement and urge the people of Northern Ireland to vote Yes for peace in the referendum."
The early release of paramilitary prisoners would be "a bitter pill to swallow" for many families of the victims of loyalist and republican violence, he said. "However, it is necessary if we are to achieve a lasting peace. FAIT has recently been contacted by many of the families of victims and most of them have told us it is a price worth paying if it stops any other family in the future having to go through the same pain and agony of bereavement."
The Women's Coalition is urging the parties to the deal to work together for a Yes vote. Ms Bronagh Hinds said the Scottish referendum showed the need for Yes campaigners to co-ordinate their efforts. "We didn't spend two years of our time not to be actively involved in encouraging people to vote Yes," she said.