Update from Eastern University SPEAK, Pennsylvania, USA from Professor Tony Campolo

10/6/06

The group have been successful in moving campus lunchrooms and cafeterias at both their own university and other American universities to fair trade coffee.

“What should be of specific interest to you is that the SPEAK group here at Eastern has become very active in negotiating peace for Northern Ireland. I know that sounds strange, but the folks in Northern Ireland are convinced that an initiative for peace must come from the United States since support for Sinn Fein and support for the DUP both come from this side of the pond. The following things are happening as we take some initiatives in working for peace in Northern Ireland:

I have met with Gerry Adams and had a long conversation with him and some key Protestant leaders and Catholic leaders here in the United States. We are planning to bring Gerry Adams to Eastern next year, at which time he will have an opportunity to speak to a Protestant audience and key Protestant leaders to explain the position of Sinn Fein. This was at his request.

We are planning to bring over a key representative, hopefully Peter Robinson from the DUP, to present the Protestant position on the struggles of Northern Ireland. At that meeting, key Catholic leaders will be invited so that they can both hear and ask questions on the issues.

In September a prayer vigil is planned in which a large number of students from the two Catholic universities which are close to Eastern will join Eastern students at a Catholic church for prayer. Then there will be a candlelight march to the Presbyterian church where we will have another prayer meeting there. We feel that we must show reconciliation between Protestants and Catholics here in the United States as we anticipate working for peace in Northern Ireland.
Bill Clinton has been actively involved in working for peace in Northern Ireland, along with us, and it is his influence which is making it possible for these key leaders of the Northern Ireland conflict to come together. The ultimate peace talks may take place here at Eastern, in which case the SPEAK group will play a major role in facilitating those talks.
A group of Eastern students who are the members of the SPEAK group here will be travelling to Northern Ireland this summer to meet with people on both sides of the community divide to get a better picture of what is really happening in Northern Ireland and a good feel for the problems so that they can deal with the situation in a more knowledgeable fashion.”