Peace Palace for Belfast wins support of Northern Ireland Government

A £10m project to create lasting peace for Northern Ireland is under way. Construction of a Peace Palace will take place on land purchased by an international charity exactly on the "Peace Line" which traverses Belfast.

The Government of Northern Ireland supports the project and full planning permission has been granted for two beautiful buildings housing offices, shops, a cafe/visitor centre and a community college to be built by the charity, Global Country of World Peace (Northern Ireland).

Support for this exciting community project has been received from the leaders of both the Catholic and Protestant communities on either side of the high barrier known as the Peace Line that has separated them since the 1970s.

Hollywood filmmaker David Lynch, who is a patron of the project, joined organisers Andrea and Gerry Gribben and other members of Global Country of World Peace in an earth-breaking ceremony on a brownfield site close to the gateway to the Shankill Road area. The Peace Palace will include a David Lynch School of Performing Arts to benefit young people from both sides of the Peace Line.

Like Lynch, Andrea and Gerry are passionate about Transcendental Meditation. Andrea has taught the technique in Northern Ireland for over 20 years years. The Peace Palace will create a centre where people can learn and practise Transcendental Meditation together. Hundreds of school children in both Catholic and Protestant schools in the area have already learned the technique with great results. See video top left.

"The Global Country of World Peace," says Andrea,"is a non-religious, multi-cultural charity whose aims are to help create permanent peace by unifying the people of Belfast in prosperity, health and happiness, whilst respecting and celebrating the rich diversity of culture and tradition.

"We have received enthusiastic responses wherever we have presented the project, and following two years of meetings with local community leaders, we are delighted to advise that our plans have their support.

"Earlier this year we made a promotional and fundraising trip to Washington, USA, and now have the support of famous and influential people in the US who are helping us raise funds."

More information about the Belfast Peace Line Project http://www.belfastpeacelineproject.org

See also: video on school children in Northern Ireland practising Transcendental Meditation