The garden parish of St Ann, Jamaica , birthplace of reggae legend Bob Marley, now has an IIPT Peace Park. The Fern Forest Peace Park, located in the Fern Gully area of Harrison Town St Ann, was officially dedicated on Thursday August 7, one day after Jamaica celebrated its 52nd year of Independence.
In his opening remarks, chairman of the event, Courtney Christie-Veitch provided details on a four day Fern Forest Eco Village camp for children in the Harrison Town community held under the theme ‘I know who I am.’ The camping experience, held just prior to the Peace Park dedication, was a huge success, with over forty children between the ages of 2 and 16 attending daily. The children participated in sessions such as conflict resolution, environmental stewardship, career choices and healthy lifestyles, along with engaging activities aimed at helping camp participants understand their Christian identity. He thanked volunteers for the camp, which included a team from Youth with a Mission (YWAM).
Guest speaker, Diana McIntyre-Pike, President of IIPT Caribbean chapter, gave an overview of the IIPT – its mission and objectives and the IIPT Peace Villages program. Ms. McIntyre-Pike stated that she was proud that the IIPT Caribbean chapter was the first established outside of North America and that she was the first Chapter President for the IIPT outside the USA, mentioning that IIPT has endorsed Jamaica and the Caribbean as the ‘Home of Community Tourism.’ Diana spoke about the Countrystyle Community Tourism Network/National Best Community Foundation’s Villages as Businesses programme which has been endorsed as a project for peace through tourism from the IIPT and the CCTN has agreed that all participating villages should be registered as IIPT Peace Villages.
Dr Noel Brown, Chairman of the IIPT’s International Advisory Board spoke to the importance of appreciating the Peace Park dedication as a reminder of our common responsibility for the protection and enhancement of our environment and this “priceless heritage that humanity calls home.” He continued, “As we come to know our earth, we come to better appreciate its importance to our survival. The theme for the camp this year is ‘I know who I am’ and it could not be more timely and relevant. Knowing who you are, where you are, and your connection with Mother Earth, can only help reinforce a custodial relationship with this Garden Paradise that is our home. We cannot talk about peace with our neighbor without having peace with our natural environment. Let this Peace Park be a bridge that connects us more fully to each other and to our common home, planet earth.
The event’s Chairman, Courtney Christie-Veitch, then asked participants in the dedication ceremony to share their thoughts on peace after which Reverend Brenard McDonald, Pastor of the Zion Hill Baptist Church in St. Mary, shared a prayer and officially dedicated the Fern Forest Peace Park.
Children of the Breadnut Hill Dance Group, winners in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) annual festival of the performing arts competition, provided lively cultural entertainment for the event.