A NEW campaign to reduce all forms of violence in Irish society has been launched by a cross- community group calling itself “Why Violence?”
The campaign began as a Quaker initiative and is supported by the Irish Commission for Justice and Social Affairs, the Garda and religious and humanist groups.
The first Why Violence? week, which will last 10 days, begins on September 21st, on UN World Peace Day and ends on October 2nd, which has been designated UN World Day of Non-violence. It also coincides with the Garda’s community policing week.
A national “Turn Away from Violence Day” will be held on October 2nd. The organisers are encouraging people to avoid all forms of violence for a day, including violent video games and films. The day will end with a ceremony for peace in Kilkenny.
On September 25th, the Irish Commission for Justice and Social Affairs will host a conference with the theme Violence in Irish Societyin Dublin's Mater Dei Institute.
Domestic violence in the immigrant community will be highlighted during the week in an awareness campaign by AkiDwa, the network of African and migrant women living in Ireland.
Schools and youth groups are being encouraged to take part in the Alternative Turner Prize, a cartoon competition with the theme Violent Behaviour is unacceptable, which will be judged by Irish Timescartoonist Martyn Turner.
The Church of Ireland dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough and Cashel and Ossory will mark the week with prayers to end violence on Sunday, September 27th.
One of the campaign’s organisers, Terry Gillespie, said he hoped the events would encourage a broad range of groups to get involved in the initiative.
“The objective is to invite people to reflect on the small changes that we all can make in our lives which can add together and ultimately change our country.This year we are urging adults, particularly parents, to make it a day without physical or emotional violence, remembering that children learn from what they see and experience,” he said.
A website – www.whyviolence.com– has been set up and suggests how parents and teachers could mark the week.
