A Day of Private Reflection:
Thursday 21 June 2007, a day of personal and private reflection on the conflict in and about Northern Ireland
About the Day
When is the Day of Private Reflection?
The initial Day of Private Reflection will be held on Thursday, 21 June 2007, the longest day of the year.
What is the Day of Private Reflection?
This initial Day of Private Reflection on Thursday, 21 June 2007 is an initiative proposed by Healing Through Remembering (HTR), a cross-community organisation focussed on ways of dealing with the past relating to the conflict in and about Northern Ireland.
The idea for private reflection was part of an original recommendation made in 2002 in the Report of the Healing Through Remembering Project June 2002. This report followed a public consultation on ways of dealing with the past.
Following local and international research into the recommendation for a Day of Reflection HTR is inviting people to take the opportunity to privately reflect. Research and consultation suggests such an initiative can benefit both individuals and wider society.
The Day of Private Reflection is offered as an inclusive and positive event that emphasises a commitment to a peaceful new society. It provides a voluntary opportunity for everyone in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain to reflect upon the conflict in and about Northern Ireland and the future that is before us.
The Day of Private Reflection on 21 June 2007 is offered as a day for personal, private and individual reflection, for example, at home or at work, within a family, group or organisation.
Public events will not be a feature of the Day.
This initial Day of Private Reflection will be evaluated to inform the decision on whether to proceed with this initiative in future years - and if so in what format.
Why 21 June?
The date was chosen following thorough consideration into possible dates for such a day. This highlighted that there is no single date in the calendar year which is not the anniversary of the death of at least one person in relation to the conflict.
It was felt that 21 June, the summer solstice and the longest day of the year, was a symbolically important day. The ebbing relationship between the hours of light and day could be seen as a symbol of the pain and hope in our society. It is a day that is forward-looking and backward-looking at the same time. It is a day which represents a pause in the cycle of nature, a moment to reflect. Furthermore, the day's significance is related to a naturally occurring event and nature makes no distinction between races, creeds or political perspectives.
Purpose of the Day of Private Reflection
The Day of Private Reflection offers an opportunity for us all:
- to acknowledge the deep hurt and loss caused by the conflict in and about Northern Ireland
- to remember the men, women and children who on a daily basis live with the consequences of the conflict
- to reflect on our own attitudes that might have the potential to negatively impact on others and society,
- to reflect on what more each of use might have done or might still do to uphold and enhance all other people's right to life and quality of life, and
- to make a personal commitment that, as we begin to move forward as a society, such loss should never be allowed to happen again.
Principles and Values of the Day of Private Reflection
The Day of Private Reflection is offered as an inclusive and positive event that emphasises a commitment to a peaceful new society.
The Day of Private Reflection is underpinned by an inclusive and sensitive approach which:
- respects differing views, political aspirations, and perspectives on the conflict;
- recognises and accepts that there are diverse views on a Day of reflection and that not everyone can or will feel able to participate;
- encourages a positive and respectful way of reflecting on our past;
- promotes support and is a source of strength to those who have been most adversely affected by the conflict; and
- reaches out to people in Northern Ireland, including those from different ethnic backgrounds, the Republic of Ireland, and Great Britain.
Effects of the Day of Private Reflection
We hope the Day of Private Reflection will:
- be perceived as a source of strength and support to those most affected by the conflict;
- continually challenge individuals and society to reflect on the past and its consequences on individuals, communities and society as a whole;
- increase understanding of our collective hurts as a result of the conflict; and
- be perceived as making a positive contribution to healing the hurts of our society and moving forward to a better future.
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