Foundation launched in honour of John and Pat Hume
The new foundation has been launched to inspire the next generation of peacemakers.
Last updated 13th Nov 2020
A new organisation named after John Hume, and his wife Pat Hume was launched today.
The Hume Foundation aims to work under key principles of partnership, respect and resilience to inspire the next generation of peacemakers.
The future activity of the non-party political organisation will be the advancement of peaceful change in divided societies nationally and internationally.
The charities headquarters will be in Londonderry, the home of the legendary peace maker, but future engagements are planned for Brussels, Dublin and Washington.
Martin Luther King III is due to give his first lecture on leadership for peaceful change on November 19.
Key Patrons involved in the charity include former US senator George Mitchell, who chaired the talks that led to the Belfast Agreement, and former president of Ireland Mary McAleese.
Members of the Hume family are involved in the project and John Hume Jnr said he fully supports the creation of the foundation and is particularly pleased that it recognises the important role and legacy of his mother.
He said: “John and Pat were a team who found inspiration, energy and determination from each other.
“Our mother and father had an unwavering determination to peace, equality and economic justice, all of which are intertwined.
“Difference should never be the source of conflict, and the foundation will promote that message both here in Ireland and further afield.
“We are also delighted that the foundation will be headquartered in Derry.
“The strong community roots of Derry played a formative role in developing our parent’s political views and determination for peaceful change.
“The foundation will thrive from that as well.”
Board Member, Sara Canning, said even though the current generation of young people have grown up outside of the Troubles, society still faces challenges that need addressed.
She said: “John and Pat showed the leadership and courage to embrace difference and build a path towards compromise.
“I hope that by being involved with the foundation, I can help inspire this generation and future generations of young people to take these values and ideals and lead in their time.”
Chair of the Hume Foundation, Professor Sean Farren, said Mr Hume was an extraordinary political leader who brought people of all traditions to come together.
He said: “In the darkest of days of the Troubles, John Hume was a statesman and central architect of peace, who charted a path for the people of Ireland, North and South, of all traditions to come together to resolve our differences peacefully and to build a better, more prosperous future for all of our children.
“In many ways the next generation is facing many equally dark challenges - the rise of populism and cultural divisions across these islands, Europe and right across the world and other existential challenges such as climate change and rising poverty and inequality.
“This foundation has been established because we believe that the values and ideals of partnership, reconciliation, inclusion and social justice that John and Pat embraced throughout their lives can help support our young people to navigate the profound challenges of their time and inspire the next generation of peace-makers.”
Other Patrons include Martin McAleese, Nadia Murad and posthumously Seamus Mallon.
A website has been launched which will be used, alongside social and digital media channels, to promote the organisation’s work internationally and provide a hub for information and guidance.