Hillary Clinton was greeted by smiling schoolchildren and waving crowds as she visited a shared education campus in Co Derry on Wednesday.
The former First Lady and Democratic Party presidential nominee was in Limavady to visit a 'shared education campus' as part of an event organised by Queen's University, Belfast.
The former US secretary of state was in Northern Ireland as part of a series of events to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
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In Limavady, she presided over an honorary graduation ceremony to mark the contribution St Mary’s High School principal Rita Moore, and Limavady High School principal Darren Mornin in the development of the 'shared education' model.
The former First Lady also met with local politicians, including Causeway Coast and Glens Mayor Ivor Wallace and the local MLAs Alan Robinson, Claire Sugden and Caoimhe Archibald.
The two schools are next door neighbours on Irish Green Street in Limavady and have, for years, worked closely alongside one another.
Mrs Clinton, who is Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, said shared education and housing are issues that should be “top of our list of priorities” in Northern Ireland.
“Because while we have been celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday agreement at Queen’s, and it is an enormous achievement for which the people of Northern Ireland deserve all of the credit, we know that the work for peace, prosperity and progress that so many have committed their lives to continues,” she said.
“The journey is by no means finished.
“And the work of sharing education and of expanding housing and of working to remove barriers and divisions in neighbourhoods and to tackle persistent poverty and unemployment are ones that have to be at the top of our list of priorities.
“No victory and no defeat is ever permanent.
“Every generation has to continue to do its part to both preserve and expand opportunity.”
In her speech at the ceremony, Mrs Clinton paid tribute to Ms Rita Moore and Mr Darren Mornin, the principles of the two schools in Limavady, and said the Good Friday Agreement would not have been reached without the work of teachers.
“I know how difficult it was to secure the Good Friday Agreement, how much work and sacrifice it took on all sides to bring about peace and how much effort has continued to go into implementing its tenets and building a new future, including a new government in Northern Ireland,” she said.
“There would not, however, be a Good Friday agreement if there had not been teachers, principals, community leaders, citizens who did so much of the work of building and maintaining progress.”
Mrs Clinton also said that more should be done to ensure young people want to stay in Northern Ireland.
“We know at Queen’s that 33% of school leavers in Northern Ireland leave to seek their futures elsewhere,” she said.
“The goal is to ensure that they can choose to remain here and follow their dreams.
“Institutions like this shared campus help build a bulwark against sectarianism and divisiveness, help to create a Northern Ireland where students, parents, members of the community come together in pursuit of common purpose.
“Queen’s University’s mission is transformation of knowledge and learning of individuals and societies, of leaving its mark on history and the world and that is what today’s honouree graduates have each achieved.
“They’ve led the schools and this community through a great transformation.”
The co-operative model and sharing of resources by the two schools has been hailed as a leading example of the shared education model.
Mark Baker Chief Executive of the Controlled Schools’ Support Council said: “As we recognise the achievements of Limavady High School and St. Mary’s High School and the difference shared education has made for generations of children and young people as well as the local Limavady community, it reinforces the need for a vision and strategy for education that includes everyone working together and all voices being listened to.
“Shared education provides the opportunity for pupils from different backgrounds to come together, forge new friendships, experiences and access to a broader range of learning opportunities. CSSC supports our children and young people being educated together and believe that shared education is critical in our changing society.”
He added: “Personally, I congratulate Darren and Rita. Today is a fitting testament to the legacy of these innovative school leaders and their predecessors.”
Michael Keenan, Council for Catholic Maintained Schools Director of Education said: “I am delighted to join with St Mary’s High School and their colleagues from Limavady High School, on this special occasion which acknowledges the efforts of the principals to promote inclusion and mutual understanding.”
“There is a temptation to blame schools for divisions and to assume dogmatically that there is only one educational solution to moving beyond a divided society. Limavady Shared Education Campus is a successful model where young people and their families, irrespective of their background, culture, or creed are brought together through shared resources to achieve their full potential.”
He continued: “Today is positive recognition of the immense work of all involved with both schools who faithfully committed to the ideal that in a shared society no child should ever be left behind.”
“Through mutual respect and understanding both schools continue to strive to educate and inspire every young person to develop themselves so that they can contribute to building the diverse society and economy of our shared future.”
Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown, CCMS chair, said: “As Trustee of St Mary’s School and as Chair of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools, I am delighted to be here in such distinguished company for this important event.”
“Shared Education in Roe Valley has sought a creative local way forward by cherishing diversity and seeing different traditions, not as a threat but as an enrichment. The Shared Education Campus is the culmination of efforts to break down barriers, end division and promote a unified strong society whilst successfully retaining each school’s ethos.”
He continued: “This long-standing educational partnership in Limavady celebrates how both schools can be a blessing on one another. It is thus a challenge to those who would neglect the richness of our increasingly varied identities and propose a vague secularist consensus as a solution to difference. Those who tell people to be ashamed of their traditions and identities do not enrich young minds. They impoverish them.”
Bishop McKeown added: “Today is a great opportunity to thank those who have worked tirelessly in these two schools to build success through collaboration. I thank all those outside Northern Ireland who have encouraged creativity so that our young people might face the future with hope and confidence.”
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