Ireland’s model to promote social cohesion can help Bahrain

The newly formed Bahrain Foundation for Reconciliation and Civil Discourse (BFRCD) has announced the first in a series of events. Internationally acclaimed speaker from Northern Ireland, Peter Sheridan, will give a presentation to an audience of over 150 guests, representing all segments of Bahrain society, at 7pm on June 19th at the Sheraton’s Awali Ballroom. This event is open to the public.

Peter Sheridan is the Chief Executive of Co-operation Ireland, one of the leading peace-building charities in Ireland. Previously he was a senior police officer for 30 years and served during the violent conflict in Northern Ireland. His talk will set out some of his experiences during the 30 years of conflict and the challenges in building peace in a divided society. In particular he will focus on the importance of reconciliation and on the work towards a shared society built on understanding and tolerance where no-one is excluded from opportunity or left behind in the journey to participation, progress and prosperity.

With the full support of the Crown Prince, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the BFRCD has been registered by the Ministry of Social Development and has been formed to facilitate the exchange of ideas and values across all segments of Bahrain’s communities to promote reconciliation and social unity. According to founder and Chairman of the BFRCD Board of Trustees,

, this presentation is one of a series of social, educational and informative events being planned. “Our mission of social cohesion and harmony, backed by a solid foundation, highest level of support and clear milestones and objectives has already resonated with Bahrain’s community during our launch earlier in the week,” he said. “This event is the first of many where experiences from around the world can help shed light on the options for us as we strive to help heal Bahrain”.

The BFRCD brings together representatives from all social, ethnic and religious groups, to enable them to be heard in an atmosphere of non-judgmental mutual respect. Their vision is one of greater social cohesion and harmony through the open-minded exchange of ideas and values across all segments of the Kingdom’s communities, with the purpose of promoting reconciliation and civil discourse.

The organisation plans to attract many members from different walks of life, and organise public events such as conferences and lectures, delivered by experts in the field of conflict resolution, as well as conduct workshops to promote tolerance and mutual respect among the youth of Bahrain. The Foundation also plans to promote advanced research and delivery of white papers related to conflict resolution as well as mediation and civil discourse.