13/07/2026
One of the activities QPST supports is the University of Bradford students' annual peacebuilding study trip to the north of Ireland, to learn how the 1998 Good Friday/Belfast Agreement was reached, to what extent peace prevails and the ongoing work to further build peace. In May 2026 QPST supported 12 students and 2 staff on an intensive weeklong trip to Belfast and Derry.
Sadly, although the violence has largely ceased, there is not complete peace. Education is still mostly segregated. So-called 'peace walls' still stand and in Belfast the gates between the sectarian communities are locked each night. Memorialisation and murals embed each sectarian narrative. Feelings still run high.
Much peacebuilding work goes on, however (not least by Quaker Service). Some militaristic murals have been painted over with peace messages. Skilled mediators from the north of Ireland have been asked to advise on conflicts elsewhere. The message time and time again was that, for peace to last, all parties have to be at the table for any talks and listening to, and understanding, each others' positions is key.
Peace Studies and International Development, University of Bradford
