This page is dedicated to the memory of Betty Williams, one of the most influential voices in the struggle for peace, children rights, justice and reconciliation. Founder of the association and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Betty dedicated her life to building bridges of understanding and hope.
Betty Williams, A Life Dedicated to children
Betty’s journey as a peace activist began in 1976, following the tragic death of three children in Belfast, killed during an act of civil war. Witnessing the aftermath of the tragedy, she was deeply moved to take action. Together with Mairead Corrigan, the aunt of the children, she co-founded the Northern Ireland Peace Movement, later known as the Peace People.
Their movement inspired mass demonstrations and garnered support across religious and political divides, advocating for an end to the violence that plagued Northern Ireland during “The Troubles.” For their groundbreaking work, Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976, becoming symbols of hope and reconciliation.
A Global Advocate for Children:
Betty’s commitment to peace extended far beyond Northern Ireland. She dedicated her life to addressing the root causes of violence and supporting the world’s most vulnerable populations, particularly children. Recognizing that children are often the greatest victims of conflict, she became a tireless advocate for their rights and well-being.
In her later years, Betty focused on children rights and global humanitarian efforts:
World Centers of Compassion for Children International (WCCCI):
In 1997, she founded WCCCI with the vision of creating safe havens for children affected by war, poverty, and violence. This organization became the cornerstone of her legacy, offering tangible solutions to improve the lives of children worldwide.
Iraq Mission (2003):
Betty led a mission to Iraq to prevent the war, working to lift the embargo on critical medicines and providing aid to the pediatric hospital in Baghdad. Her efforts brought global attention to the plight of children suffering under conflict and sanctions.
City of Peace for Children:
One of her most notable achievements was the creation of the City of Peace for Children in Basilicata, Italy, which provided refuge and holistic care for children displaced by violence and poverty.
Recognition and Legacy:
Throughout her life, Betty was widely recognized for her unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes. In addition to the Nobel Prize, she received numerous honors, including honorary doctorates and international peace awards.
Betty Williams passed away on March 17, 2020, leaving behind an enduring legacy of compassion, courage, and hope. Her vision continues to inspire peace movements and organizations worldwide, including the ongoing work of the World Centers of Compassion for Children International.
Quotes:
“It is not enough to talk about peace. You have to believe in it. And it is not enough to believe in it. You have to work at it.”
“Compassion is not something that can be turned on and off like a tap. It is the very essence of what makes us human.”
Betty Williams remains a beacon of light for those striving to make the world a safer, more just place for future generations.
For more information:
DOCUMENTARY:
Betty Williams: Contagious Courage
In 2018, a documentary on Betty Williams was released, entitled Betty Williams: Contagious Courage.
Directed by: Dawn Gifford Engle
Produced by: Ivan Suvanjieff, Shirli Singh, Elizabeth Parmly Weber, Alejandra Catalina Ruiz, Roberto Ibanez Atkinson, Cristina Bordes, Maria Kaarina Alanen, Ivana de Haan.
https://www.imdb.com/it/title/tt7601714/
You can watch it on the following link.
Betty Williams interview
Betty Williams interview at the Monte Carlo Film Festival.
PRESS:
“Betty Williams”
An overview of the life and achievements of Betty Williams, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and peace activist in Northern Ireland.
Encyclopaedia Britannica.
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“Tributes pour in as Nobel Prize winner and ‘a true soldier of peace’ Betty Williams dies at 76”
This article reflects on Betty Williams’ remarkable life, her Nobel Peace Prize recognition, and her advocacy for peace in Northern Ireland.
Belfast Telegraph.
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“Betty Williams, Peace Laureate From Northern Ireland, Dies at 76”
A tribute to Betty Williams, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to bring peace to Northern Ireland during the Troubles.
The New York Times.
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“Betty Williams: Peace activist dies aged 76”
BBC reports on the death of Betty Williams, remembering her as a key figure in Northern Ireland’s peace process.
BBC News.
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“Betty Williams obituary”
An obituary detailing Betty Williams’ life, from her childhood in Northern Ireland to her efforts to create a lasting peace.
The Guardian.
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“Betty Williams, Nobel laureate and leader of peace movement in Northern Ireland, dies at 76”
The Washington Post honors Betty Williams, discussing her impact as a peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner.
The Washington Post.
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“Betty Williams: Northern Ireland peace activist who shared a Nobel prize“
The Independent reflects on Betty Williams’ legacy as a peace campaigner, particularly in Northern Ireland, where she helped end The Troubles.
The Independent.
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VIDEOS:
1976: Betty Williams receives the Nobel Peace Prize
In 1976, Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to promote peace in Northern Ireland. The award ceremony took place in Oslo on December 10th, 1976. You can watch the video of the ceremony by clicking on this link.
1976: Betty Williams’ arrival in Oslo for the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony
Betty was co-founder of the Peace People, an organisation established in response to the escalating violence in Northern Ireland during the 1970s.
Go back to 1976 when she received the Nobel Peace Prize.
1976: Nobel Prize Presentation Ceremony
Betty Williams deliver her Nobel Prize lecture on December 11th, 1976, at the City Hall of Oslo, Norway.
You can also read the lecture by clicking on this link.
1993: North-South conference in Gabon
In 1993, the Schweitzer Foundation and the Alsace Foundation organised a North-South conference in Gabon. It was the first time the Dalai Lama set foot on African soil and took the opportunity to pay his respects at Dr Schweitzer’s grave. Below is the signing of the ‘Lambaréné Declaration’ and interviews with Betty Williams, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Michel Neitzert and a speech by French and Alsatian Senator Philippe Richert.
2002: Betty Williams arrives in Baghdad on peace mission
UN inspectors on the campus of Baghdad University, one day after Iraq’s massive weapons declaration.
on the same day, Nobel laureate Betty Williams arrived to lend her weight to the anti-war arguments. she met the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz, and delivered 15 tonnes of aid to the children’s hospital in Baghdad.
2006: Shameless Idealists – Craig Kielburger Hosts Betty Williams
Craig Kielburger hosts Nobel Peace Prize winner Betty Williams, who shares her story of growing up during The Troubles in Northern Ireland and carving out a life of activism and advocacy for children and the oppressed.
2006: City Life – Tom Clarke Interviews Betty Williams
In this interview for City Life, Tom Clarke speaks with Betty Williams, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, about her experiences during The Troubles in Northern Ireland and her lifelong dedication to peace and children’s rights.
2006: Advancing Women & Children – Betty Williams
In September 2006, the BBC World network aired a series of one-minute segments detailing the greatest hopes and fears of PeaceJam’s Nobel Peace Laureates.
2007: Betty Williams: Choosing Nonviolence
Interview with Betty Williams for the Women, Power & Peace Conference, organized by Omega Institute and the Nobel Women’s Institute.
2007: Betty Williams: Activism & humor
Interview with Betty Williams for the Women, Power & Peace Conference, organized by Omega Institute and the Nobel Women’s Institute.
2009: Betty WIlliams on Terrorism
Nobel Laureate Betty Williams talks about the insanity that comes from the philosophy of an eye for an eye. Williams begins to describe the world’s inability to stop terrorism while advocating a world where peace is not only possible, but necessary for existence.
2009: The Dalai Lama Center in conversation with Mario Frangoulis and Betty Williams (Part 1)
The Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education sat down with Mario Frangoulis, a Global Ambassador of Peace for WCCCI, and Betty Williams, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976.
2009: The Dalai Lama Center in conversation with Mario Frangoulis and Betty Williams (Part 2)
The Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education sat down with Mario Frangoulis, a Global Ambassador of Peace for WCCCI, and Betty Williams, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976.
2010: NTNN interview with Betty Williams. Part 1
NotInTheNewsNet Interview with Betty Williams, Peace Nobel Prize laureate in 1976. Part 1.
2010: NTNN interview with Betty Williams. Part 2
NotInTheNewsNet Interview with Betty Williams, Peace Nobel Prize laureate in 1976. Part 2.
2010: NTNN interview with Betty Williams. Part 3
NotInTheNewsNet Interview with Betty Williams, Peace Nobel Prize laureate in 1976. Part 3.
2012: Message from Nobel Peace Prize winner Betty Williams
Message from Nobel Peace Prize winner Betty Williams, president of the City of Peace Foundation for Children.
2012: Betty Williams video message
Betty Williams delivered a video message for the 12th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.
In 2012, the Dalai Lama visits the Italian region of Basilicata for the inauguration of the City of Peace for children.
24th June 2012, Matera – The Dalai Lama’s Press Conference
Press conference of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso in the conference room of Palazzo Viceconte in Matera accompanied by the President of the Regional Council, Vito De Filippo, the Nobel Peace Laureate, Betty Williams, the President of the Province of Matera, Franco Stella, the Mayor of Matera, Salvatore Adduce and Enzo Cursio, CEO of the “City of Peace for Children Foundation”.
24th June 2012, Matera – The Dalai Lama visit Matera
After the press conference, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso visit Matera.
25th June 2012, Sant’Arcangelo – The Dalai Lama’s Press Conference
Press conference of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso at the Orsoleo Monastery in Sant’Arcangelo accompanied by the President of the Regional Council, Vito De Filippo, the Nobel Peace Laureate, Betty Williams, the President of the Province of Matera, Franco Stella, the Mayor of Matera Salvatore Adduce, the Mayor of Sant’Arcangelo Domenico Esposito and Enzo Cursio, CEO of the “City of Peace for Children Foundation”.
25th June 2012, Scanzano Jonico – The Dalai Lama’s Press Conference
Press conference of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso in the central square of Scanzano Jonico accompanied by the President of the Regional Council, Vito De Filippo, the Nobel Peace Laureate, Betty Williams, the President of the Province of Matera, Franco Stella, the mayor of Matera Salvatore Adduce, the mayor of Scanzano Jonico Salvatore Jacobellis and Enzo Cursio, CEO of the “City of Peace for Children Foundation”.
2016: The FAO-Nobel Laureates Alliance – Betty Williams
Betty Williams, Peace Prize recipient in 1976, underlines the need to change our world in order to have peace, showing optimism about the work that can be done through the new partnership with FAO. After expressing her appreciation for the work and achievements of other participants (Tawakkol Karman, Muhammad Yunus and Oscar Arias Sanchez), she looks forward to a strong and passionate association “that will move things”, lead by former President Sanchez.
2019: Nobel Peace Prize winner Betty Williams meets the protagonists of the SilentAcademy
Nobel Peace Prize winner Betty Williams meets the migrant masters of the SilentAcademy and some of the models who will give life to “Sotto lo stesso manto” – Scenic action by Mariano Bauduin. The protagonists will be the clothes designed by the stylist Eloi Sessou, which will gather under a huge cloak in emergency blankets, the golden blankets used during the landings, a symbol of the tragedies of the Mediterranean. Betty Williams with the City of Peace Foundation for Children is a partner of the Silent Academy, a project produced by the social cooperative Il Sicomoro together with Matera 2019
LECTURES:
2007: Betty Williams lecture in the European Parliament
On 9 May 2007, Betty Williams gave a lecture in the European Parliament on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. You can read the speech by clicking on this link.
2007: Betty Williams lecture “World Peace is Everyone’s Business”
Lecture by Nobel Peace Prize winner Betty Williams: ‘World Peace is Everyone’s Business’.
20 September 2007, at the Soka University of America Recreation Centre. link