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Date: 22 September 2025
International Day of Peace was marked at a special event in City Hall today, bringing together representatives from diverse communities and local organisations delivering PEACEPLUS projects across the city, administered by the Special EU Programmes Body.
This year’s theme – End Racism, Build Peace – was reflected with a moving speech from guest speaker M V Narasimha Rao (Bobby Rao).
A former test cricketer, Bobby has lived in Northern Ireland for over 30 years, having moved to Strabane during his overseas professional career. After meeting his wife, he settled here and has forged a path coaching young cricketers across the north-west, many to international level.
He told guests of his early struggles to integrate and how he then became involved in promoting peace, inclusion and cultural understanding within communities.
The event, led by broadcaster Lata Sharma, also included insights from Father Martin Magill and a performance from Yallaa Dabke Dance, while guests had the chance to chat with projects now taking shape as part of the PEACEPLUS Local Community Action Plan.
They include Streetbeat, who are leading a youth empowerment programme for 16 to 18-year-olds; Corrymeela Community, working with different faiths to facilitate positive dialogue; People 1st, delivering language support and practical life skills for those whose first language is not English; and GEMS NI, who are working to support integration and inclusion of those from minority ethnic backgrounds.
In total, £15.1 million (€17.4million) has been invested by SEUPB to support 16 projects across the city under three themes – Community Regeneration and Transformation, Thriving and Peaceful Communities and Celebrating Cultures and Diversity.
Welcoming guests to the event, Councillor Ian McLaughlin, Deputy Chair of Belfast City Council’s Shared City Partnership, said: “I’m delighted to mark this year’s International Day of Peace with this special event.
“Recent events in our city remind us all of our shared responsibility to work together to create a more inclusive and peaceful city, and today is a chance to highlight the great work being done to build a caring, welcoming and compassionate city for all those who call it home.
“Our council was pleased to secure PEACEPLUS funding last year from SEUPB and we are now starting, together with our delivery partners, to engage over 17,000 residents in events and activities designed to break down barriers, promote inclusion and boost integration.
“Thanks to Bobby for sharing his inspiring story today and, to all the fantastic projects both underway and in the planning, keep up the great work.”
Today’s event ended with guests writing their own individual ‘peace pledges’ which will be added to a special Belfast ‘peace tree’.
It will be placed within the Belfast Hills at a later date as part of the Access to the Hills project – another of the PEACEPLUS projects currently underway.
For more information on the various PEACEPLUS Local Community Action Plan projects, visit belfastcity.gov.uk/PEACEPLUS