“When people are divided, the only solution is agreement.” John Hume
25 years ago, on the 10 April 1998, the Good Friday Agreement was signed. This was a remarkable achievement as it brought 30 years of violence, known as ‘The Troubles’, to an end in Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement has been used as a global exemplar of achieving peace in a non-violent way.
Throughout the last 25 years, the principles of the agreement have remained in the hearts and minds of many within our society. As we celebrate the agreement, we must honour those who persisted throughout the talks to bring the agreement to reality.
John Hume was one of the main architects of the agreement, he along with his wife, Pat Hume, dedicated their lives to achieving peace and below are tributes from friends who worked alongside them on their journey.
Throughout all the negotiations, John always stood by the principle of respect for diversity.
“Difference is of the essence of humanity. Difference is an accident of birth and it should therefore never be the source of hatred or conflict. The answer to difference is to respect it. Therein lies a most fundamental principle of peace: respect for diversity.” John Hume