Interact Peace Conference

PEACE CONFERENCE -  PEACE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

PRESENTED BY INTERACT CLUB OF LLANTWIT MAJOR SCHOOL

Five years ago the Rotary Club of Llantwit Major, working closely with Llantwit Major Comprehensive School and Headteacher  Dr Vince Browne, established within the school an Interact Club for fourteen to eighteen year old students.  The club offers a structure for its members to provide acts of service in the community.  This year the Interact Club has nearly fifty members who meet weekly and devise plans to raise money or provide services for worthy causes in the community.  Local Rotary Club member, Past District Governor Don Carsley, meets with the school club every week to offer advice and encouragement.  This year because of the enthusiasm of the school and Interact members the club has become the largest Interact Club in the United Kingdom.

Last year a number of club members attended the biennial Rotary Peace Conference held at Atlantic College and were so impressed that they decided to arrange their own Peace Conference at the school.  On 17 July 2013 the largest Interact Club in the UK also became the first to stage a conference with the title of 'Peace throughout the World' which was held at the school.

The programme was introduced by Interact President Zoe Roberts and Vice President Glen O’Leary.  Speakers in the morning included Chiel Mooij, from Holland, who is Head of Peace and Conflict Studies at Atlantic College and Phil Hibbert the local Bethel Baptist minister originally from South Africa. In the afternoon the conference was addressed by Barrie Phillips from the organisation Getting on Together (GOT) and the recently elected new Police Commissioner for South East Wales, Alun Michael.  Interact members James Williams and Alice Peters sang and others performed a short dramatic piece about young people deciding not to take part in violent acts.  This effective drama was coordinated by the incoming new Interact President, Elly Jennings.  Short video contributions about peace from students and members of the community, including the Rev Hugh Butler, were screened.

At the end of the Conference Rotary District Governor David Curtis and Llantwit Major Club President Christine James presented Conference organisers Zoe Roberts and Glen O'Leary with a certificate of achievement signed by the President of Rotary International.  In turn the students presented their Headmaster with a symbolic olive tree.  Dr Browne said that he was very proud of what the Interact members had achieved in mounting such a successful day.  The olive tree would be planted within the school grounds as a sign of peace and as a tangible reminder of the school's first Peace Conference.