Members of the congregation wave blue ribbons bearing the Peace and Love in Schools (PALS) logo during yesterday's church service to mark the beginning of a series of events to mark Peace Day on Tuesday. The church service was held at the Boulevard Baptist Church, Washington Boulevard, St. Andrew. - Dennis Coke /Staff Photographer THE PEACE and Love in Schools (PALS) programme is being hailed by its general manager, Janilee Abrikian, as a success in reducing violence in schools.
Mrs. Abrikian said that the schools participating in the programme are reporting less hostil-ity and acts of aggression and a marked increase in respect among students, who have been using the "language of making peace".
The PALS programme, which employs innovative methodologies to teach school children conflict resolution skills and to curb violence in schools, has been implemented in 250 schools since its inception in 1996.
Yesterday, officials at PALS Peace Day 2002 church service at the Boulevard Baptist Church, St. Andrew, reminded the nation that there can only be lasting peace here if all Jamaicans bring love, forgiveness and truth to all their relationships.
"Let us live a life of love, a life that shows concern for those around us," Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke urged the congregation.
He also asked caregivers, teachers and other adults to set peaceful examples for the nation's children to follow. "If there is peace in our hearts, we can make life easier and more productive all around us," Sir Howard said.
The congregation sang patriotic songs and old favourites such as "Let peace begin with me" and "Love is flag flown high," as they waved blue ribbons carrying the PALS logo. These ribbons were distributed to reflect a commitment to peace just ahead of Peace Day, being observed tomorrow.
Reverend Devon Dick, who preached the sermon, used scriptures and issues in the media to highlight that Jamaicans should anchor their relationships in love. He said that too often persons fail to practise what they preached.
"Sometimes, the persons who shout loudest for justice are unjust, the persons who call for peace and are engaged in conflict resolution programmes are divisive, the persons who talk most about corruption are corrupt and those who proclaim the value of a virtuous life are raping people," he said.
Highlighting the need for love in politics, he related an anecdote presented by Sir Howard at a recent function. "He said that when he was a candidate in a general election in St. James, his opponent was his friend, for whom he was the keeper of his will. So, if anything happens to his opponent, his opponent's wife will come to him," he said, evoking laughter from the congregation.
"Love is the hallmark of how we relate to persons... Our work environment ought to be grounded in love. We need to bring back love in our relationships, bring back love in politics, we need to bring back love in schools...churches (and) communities. Let love characterise our relationships," he said to murmurs of "yes" from the congregation, which comprised PALS representatives, Educat-ion Minister, Burchell White-man, members of the police, the military and the diplomatic corps.
Ensure that everyone stands for truth where it is hard to discern, Rev. Dick also cautioned, referring to current investigations of the INTECH Fund, conflicting testimonies at the Braeton Seven Inquest (inquiring into the deaths of seven young men in Braeton St. Catherine last March) and the West Kingston Enquiry (enquiring into last July's unrest which claimed 27 lives).
Every Jamaican, he said, should be "employed to the truth, owned by the truth and a slave to truth."
