Nobel laureate discusses experiences in Northern Ireland
By TOM ENRIGHT
News Writer
Children need a greater voice in world affairs, according to Nobel laureate Betty Williams, who spoke at Notre Dame on Friday.
Co-winner of the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize, Williams gave a lecture highlighting her personal experiences working for peace and the protection of children. She received her Nobel Prize for her work in Northern Ireland. Co-founder of the Peace People Organization, Williams became involved in the peace movement after witnessing the death of three children killed by the driver of an IRA getaway car. To this day Williams refers to them as her "wee angels."
"To do this work is to work with the intangible," said Williams about her work for peace. "Peace — people pray for it — dance for it, but to work for it is another thing."
Williams spoke from a Catholic point of view about conditions in Northern Ireland that contributed to the violence between its Catholic and Protestant residents. Saying that she sees the opportunity for peace in the region, Williams praised John Hume and David Trimble, co-recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998, for their work in advancing peace in Northern Ireland.
Williams also spoke about her feelings on war and violence and how her work has changed her. "When a child dies in war by force it is an affront to … a mother," she said.
Admitting that she had to learn the art of non-violence, Williams said that it was a gradual transformation that led her to condemn physical aggression. She challenged the view that accidental deaths are an unavoidable part of fighting.
"Have you ever heard of an accidental war?" asked Williams. "The only thing changing is that it's getting smarter."
The Nobel laureate also criticized those who interweave religion with war.
"God has nothing to do with war. You shouldn't bless men to kill," she said.
"The peace movement was born out of the suffering of children," said Williams.
A mother of two, Williams believed that she had her experience in Belfast for a purpose. She related a story of a starving mother that she met in Somalia who had been forced to choose which of her two children to feed since she didn't have enough milk for both. Both children ended up dying. The mother herself then died while Williams was visiting the area.
"Religion should be acts and reflections," said Williams. "Real patriots don't just wave flags. They help their neighbors."
Williams also pointed out other leaders in the world that have turned to peaceful means rather than violence to combat social wrongs. Lech Walesa of Poland and Bishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela of South Africa all demonstrated positive examples of leaders who chose relatively peaceful change over violence.
Addressing problems of violence and children in the United States, Williams stated her concern that children see too much violence on television. The newspapers, she said, are also filled with bad news.
Presently a professor in Women's Studies and Peace Studies at Florida Atlantic University, Williams also directs the World Centers of Compassion for Children. She is currently lobbying to have the United Nations pass a Universal Declaration of the Rights of Children.
Williams received her Nobel Peace Prize in 1976 along with Mairéad Corrigan-Maguire, the Protestant aunt of the three children she witnessed killed in Belfast.
All News Stories for Monday, March 6, 2000
