The Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD has launched a competition to encourage students to reflect on the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement by submitting artwork, poetry, or visual and digital works, exploring the theme of ‘The Gift of Peace and the responsibility that comes with it’.
The anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate what was a transformative moment for everyone on this island, bringing peace and resetting relationships. The Good Friday Agreement remains the agreed framework for relationships within and between these islands. It provided the foundation for a peaceful, prosperous society and it remains the foundation for a hopeful future as we look to what the current generation of young leaders and peacemakers will achieve in the next 25 years.
Students at primary and post-primary level are invited to reflect on this anniversary and express the theme of ‘The Gift of Peace and the responsibility that goes with it’ through creativity.
A selection of the submitted works will be exhibited in the Department of Education on Marlborough Street and hosted virtually on Scoilnet.ie to commemorate the Good Friday Agreement, and a winner in each category will be selected.
Winners will be invited on a tour of Leinster House, followed by lunch in Dáil Éireann as a guest of the Minister for Education. A certificate and medal will be awarded to each category winner.
The closing date for entries, by email to commemorations@education.gov.ie or by post to Competitions, C/O Communications Unit, Department of Education, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01RC96, is Thursday 30 March 2023.
Resources and supports for schools in relation to the Good Friday Agreement and competition criteria can be found on scoilnet.ie from 24 February.
Competition categories:
Primary junior: Up to and including 2nd class
Primary senior: Up to and including 6th class
Post-primary junior: Up to and including 3rd year
Post-Primary senior: Up to and including 6th year
Submissions can be from individual students or as part of class groups