A cohort from Aberdeen children’s charity, Denis Law Legacy Trust represented Scotland for the first time at the Global Peace Games in Mesen, Belgium.
A team of staff and young volunteers from Denis Law Legacy Trust travelled by road and sea from Aberdeen to Rotterdam before arriving at the Peace Village in Belgium, where they joined representatives from over 16 countries to take part in a week-long programme of sport, games and remembrance.
Inspired by the 1914 Christmas Truces that saw some Allied and German soldiers leave their trenches and temporarily end hostilities to exchange gifts, the Global Peace Games opened with a cultural gift exchange and organised a variety of cultural games, a graffiti workshop, talent show and drama workshop throughout the week, all on the theme of peace.
In the run up to the International Day of Peace, Global Peace Games participants took part in an interactive walk on remembrance, a bike ride to the historic site of the Christmas Truces and visited the Passchendaele Museum, Peace Pool and the war graves of the Gordon Highlanders in Tyne cot.
Ending out the 2024 Global Peace Games was a poignant visit to Menin Gate for the ‘Last Post’, a daily memorial dedicated to the 54,391 British soldiers who died in the Ypres Salient during the First World War.
Supported by officers from the Royal Artillery, four young people laid commemorative poppy footballs in memory of the fallen.
Streetsport volunteer Calum Greig was one of those young people. He said: “At first, I was nervous about laying the poppy ball in memory of those who fought in the war and would like to say a big thank you to Kiana and Findlay for taking me and the others to Belgium for the Global Peace Games.
"Placing the poppy ball was a once in a lifetime experience that not everyone would have got the opportunity to do, so I am glad that I got to.
"The Peace Village was a wonderful experience with lots of activities that we had never done before. I met a lot of very nice people from all over the world and learned all about the First World War.”
Kiana Coutts, outreach development officer, Denis Law Legacy Trust, added “The Global Peace Games has enabled us to broaden our young people’s horizons and provide them with unique opportunities to build new friendships, grow their skillset and confidence, and experience different cultures.
"Over the week, it was inspiring to see the young people learning about the lasting impact of war and become active ambassadors for peace - something I am sure will stay with them for years to come.”
Ernie Brennan, chief executive officer, Children’s Football Alliance, said “Peace education through play doesn’t stop in childhood. It travels with you for the rest of your life.
"The power of sport was clearly on display in the 2024 Global Peace Games. The Denis Law Legacy Trust participants were a credit to their communities. They will inevitably share their experiences and positively influence their peers. Peace makers for the future.”
Mark Williams, chief operating officer, Denis Law Legacy Trust, said “The Global Peace Games is a hugely important initiative in providing young people with new experiences whilst also highlighting the power of sport in bringing people together, even in times of war.
"I would like to sincerely thank the Children’s Football Alliance for organising this important initiative and Central Coaches, for providing vital transportation for the peace games.”
For more information on Denis Law Legacy Trust, visit: https://www.denislawlegacytrust.org