By Dr. Jacqueline Irwin, CEO, CRC
The 21st of June, the longest day of the year, holds different meanings for many. While some embrace it for the brightness and long hours, for others it marks a deeper significance: the Day of Reflection. The struggle to come to terms with our past continues, whether we seek to record it, adjudicate it, or reconcile with it. The “Day of Reflection” is one community response to that struggle.
The idea emerged in 2002 from a report (1) recommending that an annual day of reflection be established to ‘initially be a day for private individual reflection’, with the possibility of further development over the years ‘moving from personal and organisational reflection to becoming more collective, public and shared among communities, groups, churches and organisations'.
At that time there was also discussion about the possibility of developing approaches to commemoration that went beyond the natural focus on death and loss to something that could also encompass the hope of peace and regeneration. Crucially, personal reflection often offers the potential to foster greater understanding of the 'other' – an essential peacebuilding element. This individual introspection can create a broader ripple effect, influencing families, communities, and eventually government and wider society.
The longest day was suggested as a suitable time for the Day of Reflection, being a mid-point in the year from which we can look back and look forward. Although it was to mark a day to remember, it was fully recognised that the impact of the conflict is still being felt every day of the year by many.
Given the sensitivity of the subject, it was not until 5 years later on the 21 June 2007 that a ‘private Day of Reflection’ took place. Since then, initiatives to deal with the past have come and gone at research, policy and community level. Despite that, the Day of Reflection continues to quietly bear witness to the losses suffered and what was broken in our community; the grief and deep hurt that is still felt by so many; and the important challenge to inspire hope and actively work to build a peaceful future.
So, once again this year, wherever we may be at noon on the longest day, many of us – including those whose lives have been profoundly impacted by the conflict – will take a quiet moment. We will reflect on the past and reaffirm our collective determination to build a better future for all. CRC is proud to support the sentiments underpinning the “Day of Reflection”.
- Published in 2002 by Healing Through Remembering