Parent comments on Explore programme participants
‘As parents we tried to shelter her from the hurt, the history and the bigotry exisiting in our country. Now I realise the only way forward is to allow our youth to discuss religion and to encourage them to challenge people's views and overall to respect each other'.
‘Our preconceived impressions of SOE were that, in the hope of our young people agreeing on a ‘new NI' (ie living together peacefully) our son would lose his own culture. We learned this is not the case, in fact the SOE emphasises their own identity & culture & helps them appreciate other cultures and respect differences'
‘The group co-ordinators have been outstanding role models and we have enormous admiration for them'
‘As parents we all attempt to mould our children - the SOE has allowed our daughter to expand beyond that mould. A time of growth for her and us too!'
‘We see a remarkable change in our son's attitude to society. Where before he ‘switched off' to conversations, news etc which did not immediately affect him, he is now aware & interested. He has the confidence to express his opinion as well as being much more accepting of the opinions of others'
‘As an exercise in self-awareness and understanding of others it was clearly a success, but more importantly as we reflect upon what she is telling us as time passes, and as we observe her, she is emotionally and politically more literate and better able to contribute -as she wants to - to making NI a better place'
‘Before going on the SOE programme she tended to take a more passive role in engaging in what was happening around her........ she seems to have gone on to become more active in many others spheres to the extent that I have had to buy her a diary to help her keep up with what she is doing'
‘I let my daughter go away as a beautiful young girl - she returned a mature well informed young lady'
‘Our daughter has spoken to us with great sincerity and real commitment of the value which she took home with her'
‘I have never seen such a bond of friendship between twelve young adults be so openly shown'
‘I see a young woman who is now confronting her fears in a positive way. She may not be able to move mountains but she is sowing seeds and for me that is what SOE is all about'
‘The SOE harnesses the energy, enthusiasm and abilities of young people to help address very important issues while maintaining the most important requirement for our young people, namely that it is fun'
‘I always thought my daughter was open-minded but through SOE her eyes have been opened globally as well as locally'
‘The SOE programme has taught my son that he has nothing to fear from difference'
‘She came back exhausted from the two weeks in America but it was evident that she had undergone a fundamental change in attitude and perception'
‘Her discussions have also broadened and challenged our own views as parents'
‘Our son is more aware of what is happening worldwide and would express his opinion without fear of being ridiculed. He sees both sides of every event and would voice his opinion on how he would deal with situations and try to resolve them'
‘It is vital for NI and future of relations in Ireland that respect and trust are developed on a cross-community basis - at an early stage. This project has delivered this'
‘He is definitely more aware of who he is and the contribution he can make in his own right'
‘As his parents we would like to thank SOE as he has been given a great chance to learn about other problems, other than those that concentrate on West Belfast'
‘He has learned not to look at the world with blinkers on and not to be led by people with a biased agenda'
‘She has become more adult in her views and for the first time (in my opinion) was thinking for herself'
- 'She had been on a similar cross community project previously but she felt that the overall benefit from SOE was much more'
‘She is also trying to get us to see her views in the same light as herself, which is good, so if it rubs off on us maybe it will on other people as well which would be good for NI'
‘I can confirm my daughter's statement that what the team achieved was not something that could be either taught or learned at school'
‘SOE opens the doors for opportunity and broadens the horizon for individual learning. We must look in mirrors at ourselves before we make decisions about others. A ‘degree in life' is one of the most important passports for life'
‘I saw a big change in our daughter when she came home, she seems more grown up and mature'
‘SOE is a wonderful vehicle to communicate to all concerned what may not be learned in a lifetime and the influence on future generations'
‘It is clear that through the Spirit of Enniskillen the value of voicing opinions/listening/communicating/building mutual respect in team-building across divides have been recognised'
‘Stretches them emotionally and opens up their political horizons'
‘She arrived back from America with such changed views and couldn't wait to put them into operation. I know her memories will live with her for ever'
‘It opened doors of opportunity for him. It helped him to appreciate the similarities and diversities of ours and other cultures'
‘I now see a son who is beginning to know who he is and what he is all about'
‘Her travels overseas have filled her with an enthusiasm for her own future and for that of the community'
‘He accepts responsibility more readily'
‘He is now willing to challenge both peers and adults on their opinions and requires explanations'
‘He's not as defensive. He doesn't have to be ‘right' all the time - it's obvious now he has realised his own strengths and weaknesses'
‘We have seen our daughter grow in self-belief and quiet confidence'
‘He has become driven and focused in education and is exploring issues which would previously have been unchartered territory'
‘She has learnt to be sensitive to others, to assess and review situations'
‘He has become more aware of other people's views and how it is important to listen'