Award For Two West Belfast Peacemakers

Two west Belfast women, from conflicting sides of the political divide, has received a peace award for their joint effort in promoting community cohesion over the last three decades.

Jean Brown from the loyalist Suffolk estate and Renee Crawford from the adjacent republican Lenadoon, have together tackled violence and division in the troubled area for more than 25 years - often in the face of significant threat.

The two brave peace-builders were presented with the annual Northern Ireland Community Relations Award for their impressive track-record at the flagship event of Community Relations Week 2009 in Newtownabbey’' Corrs Corner hotel.

Duncan Morrow, Chief Executive of the Community Relations Council, said: "The success of the highly important Suffolk and Lenadoon Interface Group is in many ways a personal triumph for Renee and Jean, such is the commitment and effort they have put into it and the personal risks that they have taken so that it can succeed.

"The positive change that Jean and Renee's work has brought to this area has significantly improved the lives of many, many people."

The award is open to nominations, with the recipient chosen by a panel of Community Relations Council members.

Maria Bannon, operations manager of Suffolk and Lenadoon Interface Group (SLIG), said Jean and Renee have been instrumental in the development of peacebuilding in the Suffolk and Lenadoon area and took personal risks throughout the life of the Suffolk Lenadoon partnership and believe strongly in the ethos of a shared future.

"They have continuously stepped up to the mark and spoken out on issues they believe in and have led the communities into a phase of willingness to discuss contentious issues," added Ms Bannon.

(PR/BMcC)