The Nurturing Hope Learning Journey

8th to 13th of July 2026

The Nurturing Hope Learning Journey is for those seeking to create spaces through which people who are divided can experience “the intimacy of our honest differences.” It is built around a hands-on, community based learning approach that explores the stories and experiences of the participants. The Learning Journey offers participants space to:

  • Understand the destructive relationships and structures in which we find ourselves and explore ways out.

  • Consider relationships and structures that promote trust and in which hope can be nurtured and sustained.

  • Explore the dynamics of desire, violence, and scapegoating unearthed in the work of Rene Girard, as well as reconciliation and restorative practices.

  • Explore what practices might support reconciliation and the restoration of relationships.

  • Build new relationships with others seeking ways to move from division into interdependence.

  • Contribute to an intergenerational and intercultural learning community committed to building cross- community relationships and translocal learning in conflicted societies.

  • Sing, swim, dance, create and play together. The craic is brilliant.

We currently have one Learning Journey per year. We gather at the Corrymeela Community’s centre in the beauty of the North Antrim Coast overlooking Rathlin Island, to reflect and learn together and develop an expanding Learning Community of Practice. Participants are drawn from our developing network of educational, civil society, and organisational partners in the European Union, Ireland, the UK, Eastern Europe, North America, South Africa and South Korea including:

  • A group of Northern Irish local practitioners drawn from the Corrymeela Community membership and participants and alumni of Seeds of Hope, a progamme which prepares 18 – 25 year olds to play a greater role of civil society and reconciliation.

  • An intergenerational group of educators, practitioners, and young adults from the Nurturing Hope South Korea Partners: Okedongmu Children in Korea (OKCK) and the Catholic Institute of Northeast Asia Peace (CINAP).

  • An intergenerational group of faculty and students from Nurturing Hope San Antonio’s university collaboration.

  • Young adult leaders and learners from reconciliation partners in Ireland, Great Britain, Japan (Waseda University Reconciliation Initiative), Columbia (The Kroc Institute), South Africa (The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation), Ukraine/Lithuania (LCC International University).

  • New participants involved in reflective and reciprocal learning across division and conflict are warmly welcomed to join us on the Learning Journey.

We use the Nurturing Hope materials, but our main resource is those of us who come prepared to share our failures and successes, willing to explore the questions and challenges we all face. We learn from one another, supporting each other in exploring the options and choices open in our localities.

Participants are invited by the Understanding Conflict Trust team, and we have a waiting list of interested people each year. If you are interested to learn more about participating in the learning journey, please contact Jean Horstman at info@NurturingHope.net.

Thanks to Seohyun Lee for the beautiful film of our 2025 Learning Journey. Thanks to her also, and Jenny Meegan, Mary Magennis and other participants for the photos below from our Learning Journeys of 2024 and 2025.

“I have just spent a week at Corrymeela in an amazing centre by the sea.  I had lots of fun and met people of all ages from many different countries all over the world.  I heard their stories about the places they lived in, their experiences and personal lives. This was very interesting and also very moving and at points there were tears in the room.  There was also laughter at times, especially in the drumming session, when we got things wrong! We danced and sang together and most of all enjoyed each other’s company.  We ate together and had so many good conversations.  We split into groups and sometimes we didn’t want the sessions to end.  We talked about hope, despair and forgiveness, peace and reconciliation.  We discussed barriers and obstacles, mimesis and rivalry.  We learnt a lot and played a lot.  We loved having the ‘Seeds of Hope Group’ in with us.  We experienced community. It was an incredible week.  We take what we learnt with us as we go out into the world and are grateful to all who organised the week and all who travelled a long way to come together and make this possible.”

Learning Journey July 2024 Participant

A man with glasses and short black hair wearing a navy blue polo shirt speaking or explaining with hand gestures in a room, with a whiteboard and other people listening.
A group of people listening to a man presenting a display of colorful drawings and writings on a wall, decorated with red polka dot bunting.
People playing soccer on a grassy field near a house with a black roof, surrounded by trees and blue sky with some clouds.
Audience of diverse adults sitting and listening at a Learning Journey conference or seminar.
A group of people attending a Nurturing Hope Learning Journey seminar, seated in chairs, taking notes and listening attentively. Behind them are large sheets of paper with handwritten notes and questions about personal growth and social issues.
A group of people on a sandy beach with the ocean and a pier in the background, enjoying a sunny day.
A young man is reaching out to an older man in an ice cream truck named 'Harry's Ices', with the truck illuminated in blue lights in the evening.
A group of people dancing in a circle at an indoor event or party.
A group of people sitting in a row, with their eyes closed, attending a meditation or mindfulness session.
Sunset over a calm ocean with a reflection of the sun on the water, and tall grasses in the foreground.
Four people on the beach at sunset, with the ocean and sky with clouds in the background. They are walking and making gestures, enjoying their time by the water.
A man with glasses and black hair wearing a navy blue shirt speaks to a group of people in a room with white walls and handwritten posters.
Group of five young adults sitting around a dining table in a restaurant. Three are engaged with their phones or in thought, while two are reaching for items on the table. The restaurant has colorful chairs, a large water-themed painting on the wall,
Three young adults seated at a table during a gathering, with food and drinks visible in the foreground. They are engaged and appear to be looking at something off-camera, in a warmly-lit room with wooden framed windows.
A group of people sitting inside a room with wooden beams, large windows, and colorful hanging decorations, with two women at the front playing guitar and singing.
A smiling woman with glasses holding an ice cream cone in one hand and a chocolate treat in the other, inside a restaurant with wooden and glass decor.
Close-up of a smiling young woman with dark hair, wearing a blue patterned headscarf and makeup with blue eyeliner and black dots around her eyes.
Person lying on the floor, relaxed on red and yellow checkered cushions, using a smartphone. A round wooden coffee table with a candle, cross, and open book is in front. Behind, a wall with chairs stacked.
People sitting and preparing for a musical performance indoors, with a large window showing trees outside.
A diverse group of people sitting in a semi-circle, some clapping and one taking a photo, in a room with large windows showing greenery outside.
A man in a blue shirt and shorts standing in front of a seated audience in a meeting room with a decorative mural on the wall.
Group of 15 diverse people standing and sitting outdoors, smiling, in front of green bushes and blue sky.
A group of diverse people sitting in a room, some raising hands, others holding cups, attending a meeting or conference with one woman in the foreground raising her hand.
Two women dancing and smiling in a brightly lit room with high wooden beams and modern decor.
Two people, a young woman and an older man, walking down stone steps next to a brick wall and black iron gate on an overcast day.
A pedestrian bridge over a river, with a cityscape and a historic red brick church with a clock tower in the background. The bridge features modern white support structures and a curved walkway with people walking.
A woman and a man are engaged in a conversation during a presentation titled 'Songs of Hope: Finding a Voice for the Journey' in a room with seated audience members. A large screen displays the presentation title. The woman is speaking, wearing glass
Group of diverse young adults and older individuals smiling and posing for a photo indoors, some making hand gestures, in a well-lit room with windows.
Three older adults standing indoors, smiling at the camera. The man on the left wears a gray cap and a blue zip-up jacket with a pink name tag. The woman in the middle has short blonde hair and wears a blue floral dress with a black belt. The man on
A woman standing and speaking to a group in a conference room with a whiteboard behind her, a television on the wall, and a decorative garland.
Four women gathering together indoors, smiling and posing for a selfie. One woman in the background has her hands raised with a cheerful expression.
A man with dark hair and a beard smiling while sitting in a room with beige walls and wooden furniture, wearing a green T-shirt that has yellow and red text and graphics related to a rugby league championship.
A group of people participating in a workshop or presentation in a room with a large television, a whiteboard, and a wooden high counter. Four individuals are visible, including a woman speaking, two men sitting and listening, and one man standing be
View of a body of water during sunset with a cloudy sky and distant landforms.
A stone building with a curved wall and large glass door, surrounded by greenery and colorful flowers on either side, under a partly cloudy sky.
Group of five people playing musical instruments in a room, including a keyboard, accordion, violin, and guitar, with two audience members or other musicians seen through a window.
Sunset over a calm ocean with light clouds and rocks on the shore.
A woman in a patterned dress standing at a lectern in a classroom or conference room, speaking or presenting. There are whiteboards with diagrams and writing in the background.
Two women standing in front of a historic brick building with ornate windows and a large entrance, with a person near the door and a cloudy sky above.
A group of people on a boat paddling on a river. The background shows modern and older buildings along the riverbank.
People standing outdoors near a historic stone church with a tall clock tower on a cloudy day.
Four people sitting and standing around a green picnic table outdoors, with a view of the ocean and blue sky in the background. One person is looking at the camera with a surprised expression, while the others are focused on their phones.
A group of people seated indoors near a colorful wall hanging with leaves and berries, attending an event or meeting.
A group of people sitting and listening to a man speaking in a room with white walls and artwork, some people are taking notes or photos, and a woman in front is smiling and looking at her phone.
Three young women smiling and standing close together indoors, wearing conference badges around their necks.
Green hillside with grazing cows near a coastal shoreline, a paved path, a small stone building, and a partly cloudy sky.
A diverse group of people sitting in a circle in a room, attending a workshop or seminar, with whiteboards on the wall and red bunting decorations.
Three women standing together outdoors during sunset with a background of trees and a colorful sky, smiling and posing for the photo.
A pathway along a building's exterior with windows, a grassy hillside, trees, and cloudy sky at dusk.
Group of people sitting on chairs and sofas in a room, some taking notes, appearing attentive during a presentation or discussion.
A woman with short, curly red hair standing and speaking, wearing a gray shirt, black jacket, and black pants. A man with glasses, black hair, wearing a gray shirt and black jacket, sitting with a document, and a woman in a green shirt sitting next t
Three men standing outdoors in front of a brick wall with a large billboard displaying a poster for the film 'Bombay Street Never Again'.
People sitting in chairs in a room, some clapping, others taking photos, with large windows and a blue abstract painting on the wall.
A group of people listening to a tour guide on a bridge with modern buildings and a river in the background.
Three people standing in front of a whiteboard filled with handwritten notes and diagrams. The woman on the left has long dark hair and is wearing a brown top, the man in the middle has short gray hair and is wearing a navy shirt, and the man on the
A group of eleven people standing outdoors in front of a cityscape, wearing red and gray life jackets and smiling at the camera.
A man with a blue hat speaking to a group of diverse young adults outdoors, next to a stone wall, with houses and greenery in the background.
Group of diverse adults seated in a room, engaging and listening during a workshop or seminar, with handwritten posters on the walls.
Group of people attending a presentation titled 'Songs of Hope: Finding a Voice for the Journey' in a conference room with a large screen and some speakers on the wall.
A man giving a presentation to an audience in a conference room. The presentation slide on the screen behind him discusses Koreans and the East's Irish, with illustrations and bullet points. The audience members are seated and listening attentively.
A man giving a presentation to a group in a classroom or meeting room with a whiteboard, red bunting, and papers on a desk.
Coastal cove with green grassy cliffs on both sides, a calm water inlet, and a large rock formation in the distance under a cloudy sky.
People seated in chairs attending a discussion or presentation in a conference room, with some taking notes, listening, or looking at their devices; room decorated with bunting and wall writings.
Three people seated in a circle, two men in the foreground smiling and looking down at an object or clothing, woman in background smiling, papers with writing on the wall, and a TV mounted on the wall behind them.
A woman with long brown hair, wearing a white blouse with floral patterns, stands with her back facing the camera, watching a sunset over the ocean with foliage in the foreground and a distant landmass on the horizon.
Two people sitting on chairs against a white wall with large sheets of paper with handwritten notes and questions on it. The man on the left is wearing glasses, a gray polo shirt, and beige pants. He is holding a closed notebook. The woman on the rig
People sitting in a circle in a room, participating in a discussion or workshop. A whiteboard with handwritten notes is visible, and a large screen on the wall displays partially visible text.
A group of diverse people sitting on chairs in a conference room, facing forward. There are whiteboards with handwritten notes on the wall, and a large screen displaying text on the right side of the image.
A group of people seated and reading or taking notes in a room with religious decorations, including crosses, bookshelves, and framed artworks.
People seated in chairs in a room, waiting for an event to start. Some are chatting, taking notes, or holding papers. A person in a blue shirt stands in the center, talking to the seated audience.
A lush garden scene with a variety of green plants, shrubs, and a small conifer tree in the center, with tall trees in the background and a grassy path in the foreground.
A group of young women sitting around a table, smiling and enjoying a coffee or tea break in a room with certificates and plaques on the walls.
A coastal landscape with a rocky shoreline and a narrow paved road running alongside the ocean under a clear blue sky.
A group of six smiling women posing for a selfie outdoors on a grassy field with a soccer goal and trees in the background.
A group of diverse individuals, including young students and adults, sitting around a conference table in a modern room, some taking notes and others listening attentively.
People attending a lecture or presentation in an auditorium, sitting at tiered desks with some having drinks and notebooks.
Two people sitting inside a coffee shop or café, near a large window showing outdoor greenery. One person is sitting in a leather armchair, gesturing with their hand, while the other is taking notes with a pen in a notebook, with handwritten notes on
People sitting on a brown leather sofa in a waiting area, with one woman holding a blue water bottle, another man with a notepad, and someone partially visible holding a phone. There is a stone wall with a metal sculpture of a tree and a large wooden
Group of people seated in chairs at an indoor event, engaging in conversations, with a colorful mural of leaves and berries on the wall behind them.
A group of diverse women attending a workshop or seminar, sitting and listening attentively. There are handwritten posters with questions on whiteboards or large sheets in the background.
A group of people sitting in a room, engaging in conversation. Two men in the foreground are talking, one with a white striped shirt and the other with a blue jacket and gray cap. The room has a bookshelf and wall decorations.
Group of diverse people sitting and standing in a room, some smiling and waving, with handwritten posters on the wall behind them.
A diverse group of people sitting in a circle in a conference room during a meeting or workshop, with some taking notes and others listening attentively, red and white bunting hanging on the wall, whiteboard with handwritten notes, and a large ceilin
A group of people sitting attentively in a room with bookshelves and religious decorations, including crosses, and red and white bunting.
Group of people attending a religious or spiritual event in a room with church decor, bookshelves, and a wooden cross on the wall.
Three young women posing together at an indoor event. The woman on the left is smiling, wearing glasses, a grey hoodie with pink lettering, and a blue lanyard. The woman in the middle is looking down slightly, with long hair, wearing a black shirt wi
A group of people standing outside on a paved area under a cloudy sky, some with luggage, engaging in conversation.
Group of people seated in an indoor conference or seminar, listening attentively, with some taking notes, wall decorations, and a woman in a yellow shirt standing at the front.
Group of diverse people seated indoors at a gathering or event, with a bookshelf and decorative cross in the background.
Four people sitting against a decorative wall with blue and purple leaves and fruit patterns, each holding a cup or notepad, with serious and contemplative expressions.
Group of people seated in a circle in a room, engaging in a discussion or workshop, with some taking notes.
A group of diverse people seated in a circle in a room, attending a discussion or workshop. Some are taking notes, others are listening attentively.
Two men standing inside a church, smiling. The church features high ceilings, ornate decorations, and wooden pews. The altar is visible in the background, illuminated by green lights on the arches.
A man is giving a presentation in front of a seated audience, with a slide titled 'Structural Violence' displayed on a wall-mounted screen. The audience is diverse, with women of different ethnicities, listening attentively.
A large group of people gathered outdoors on a sunny day, standing and sitting on the lawn and patio in front of white houses with black gutters. Some are seated while others are standing and listening to a woman speaking.
A joyful group of three people, a woman with glasses and gray hair, a young woman with curly red hair, and a young man with short brown hair and a beard, smiling together in an outdoor setting with other people in the background.
People attentively listening to a presentation in a room with a decorative wall featuring colorful leaves and berries.
Group of people walking on a bridge outdoors on a cloudy day.
A group of people sitting in chairs in a room, engaging in conversation and smiling, while a man stands at a music stand, possibly leading a discussion or presentation.
An indoor gathering with a diverse group of people seated and smiling, participating in a presentation or discussion, with handwritten notes on the wall behind them.
A group of women sitting and talking in a room with a colorful leaf-themed mural on the wall.
A group of people gathered indoors, some sitting and some standing, engaging in conversations and smiling at each other.
A diverse group of women seated and attentively listening at an indoor event, with handwritten notes on posters on the wall behind them.
A group of people seated in a room, attentively listening to a presentation or discussion. The room has white walls with large sheets of paper containing handwritten notes taped to the wall.
A group of people seated indoors, some taking notes or using electronic devices, attending a meeting or presentation, with a bookshelf, crosses, and religious images in the background.
A man in a black shirt and glasses is giving a presentation to a group of people in a room, with a screen behind him displaying slides about reconciling divided states.
A group of people sitting and listening to a woman standing at the front of a room with a whiteboard and flip chart, decorated with red bunting and circular light fixtures on the wall.
A group of people sitting in a circle in a conference room, listening to a speaker who is standing on the right side with his back to the camera. The room has white walls, posters with handwritten notes, and red bunting decorations.
Two women standing outdoors near a stone wall with a scenic coastal landscape, grassy hills, and the ocean in the background.
Two women standing on a scenic coastal path with green hills, trees, and cliffs in the background, smiling for the camera on a cloudy day.
A group of people sitting indoors and outside on a patio, engaging in conversation, with a large window showing a garden scene.
A classroom or conference room filled with people attending a presentation or workshop. Two presenters are at the front, one holding a marker and the other holding a clear plastic container. There are flip charts, a television, and red triangular ban
Group of people sitting on chairs and couches in a lounge or meeting room, listening to a presentation or discussion.
Two people sitting at a table looking at their mobile phones in a conference or meeting room with red chairs and handwritten posters on the wall.
People seated in a conference room attending a presentation or workshop, with handwritten posters on the wall and red bunting decorations.
Young man with light brown hair smiling outdoors on a sunny day, wearing a light blue shirt, in front of a soccer goal net with a soccer ball on the grass.
A smiling man with brown hair and a beard wearing a light blue shirt, sitting outdoors next to a woman with curly black hair and glasses, with a white house and trees in the background on a sunny day.
Two women with curly hair smiling close together indoors, with busts of bald men wearing glasses on their heads in the background.
Group of five people sitting at a long dining table in a well-lit restaurant, with colorful chairs and a large blue abstract painting on the wall behind them.
Four young adults standing on a beach during sunset, smiling and posing for a photo.
Four young people standing on a sandy beach at sunset, with calm ocean waves behind them and a distant landmass on the horizon.
Five friends standing and walking along the beach at sunset, with the ocean and a distant landmass in the background.
Four people walking on a sandy beach by the ocean during sunset, with a distant landmass on the horizon, some of them barefoot and one person looking at their phone.
Sunset over a calm body of water with orange and pink sky, silhouette of grasses in the foreground.
Sunset over the ocean with colorful clouds in the sky and silhouetted bushes in the foreground.
A bearded man wearing glasses, a blue hoodie, and an orange lanyard with a name tag sitting in front of a colorful mural depicting blue and purple leaves and branches on a beige background.