By Allison Gerrard |
A record-setting team of 28 Saint Mary’s University students representing a cross-section of learners within the Faculties of Arts, Science and Commerce, are back on campus after facilitating peace education workshops in the North of Ireland.
The student-led Conflict Resolution Program has been running at Saint Mary’s for more than thirteen years. Each February, members of the Saint Mary’s Conflict Resolution Society, in partnership with Peaceful Schools International, travel to elementary schools in Belfast to facilitate peace education workshops.
Bridget Brownlow MA’12, the University’s Conflict Resolution Advisor and part-time faculty member, coordinates the international journey in close collaboration with a committed team of students, faculty, and staff. And although the program is part of her professional portfolio, it has personal significance.
“My grandfather was from the North of Ireland, so there’s a direct connection,” says Bridget, who teaches Northern Ireland: Peace and Politics. “He also held an honorary doctorate from Saint Mary’s and was involved in supporting the Irish Studies department in various ways over many years.”
Bridget’s father, Pat Brownlow (BA‘68), sat on the board of the Charitable Irish Society of Halifax, which also has a close association with the University. His Irish heritage was important to him, and as a proud Saint Mary’s alum, Pat left the Irish Studies program a financial gift in his will.
“My father certainly supported our work in Northern Ireland over the past thirteen years,” says Bridget. “The money will contribute, in some way, to all of the initiatives the Irish Studies department engages in, including issues specific to the North of Ireland and the Conflict Resolution Program.”
Bridget’s son, Darcy Brownlow, is a third generation Saint Mary’s student and future alum. He travelled to Belfast numerous times with Bridget and her students, long before stepping foot into his own Irish Studies classes. Now in his second year of studies, the 20-year-old says he considers it a privilege to volunteer in Northern Ireland. “I’ve personally gained a great deal from these experiences, but most importantly, I feel I’ve been able to positively contribute through the facilitation of peace education workshops to children in Belfast and Halifax.”
Travelling to a post-conflict society and participating in peace education programming helps shape students’ worldview. As a direct result of the Conflict Resolution Program, Saint Mary’s students in all three faculties can now obtain a minor in peace and conflict studies.
“This is a particularly noteworthy outcome as it clearly and definitively connects the University’s support for experiential and service-learning,” says Bridget. “My father’s contribution will help enhance the Irish Studies program well into the future; the peace and conflict minor is just one example of how learning opportunities will continue to evolve.”
