14th Niwano Peace Prize

1997
Northern Ireland

The community in Northern Ireland has developed grassroots programs to encourage reconciliation there. It not only provided Protestants and Catholics with a site for meeting and conversing, but also offers solace to families of victims of terrorism. "It is not a big political program, though we debate and confront difficult political questions. It is not the solution, for the imitation to a new relationship can never be forced on someone else. It is more like a small candle, glowing in the dark." From the acceptance speech by Rev. Trevor Williams, leader of the Community