Schools: Student Quotes 2004/2005

If everyone says “it's got nothing to do with us”, then no one is going to try and do anything about it…and it's going to be a problem that's tucked away in a corner.

If we're communicating with them, we can help between the two sides, between Israel and Palestine – we can help spread the word of how the other feels about the situation.

It's important for them to know that they have support, that their voice won't go unheard.

I hope they do appreciate our video, posters and written messages to them. We really do hope they can resolve their conflict, and it's probably good for them to know that they're not alone- and that we do understand and realise what they are going through. Before we started this project, we were aware of the conflict from the News stories, but hearing your videos and your opinions and Darran's stories has really brought the reality to us. It opened up a new side of it – we got two sides of the story, not just what they give on the News. We've learned that both sides want to resolve the conflict, but none of them can think of long term solutions.

I think they will appreciate it – we have put enough effort into it and it's coming from our hearts. It would be nice to hear back from them what they think of us communicating with them.

We should care about them because they would care about us in our situation here in Belfast.

They will see what we're trying to do to get to both sides together and to show that we're not afraid to say that.

We're all the same people – just born into different circumstances.

The conflict won't end unless they have these rights – we want them to know that we're trying to understand

It becomes more realistic if you learn from young people because you could be in that situation yourself

It's different to see what circumstances are really like for the people who live them. Now, news stories about the North (of Ireland) have another dimension for me – a real life one.

Peace processes are important to all of us – and we all have our part, however small to play in it.

Hearing from the students directly in Jerusalem and Hebron makes the conflict more real and believable, instead of just watching it on the News.

If we take away the rights, people are just going to abuse the opportunities…the rights are there as guidelines, but they are not put into action all the time.

It's essential both sides can practise their rights so that they can be treated equally.

It's also essential because if they don't get their rights, they'll be ready-made for conflict

Young people are mostly affected by the troubles and conflict because they can't leave their homes or areas. If they communicate with each other, they can find out how they can help each other with certain things.

It's important for them to feel that there is hope. We don't want them to feel that they are isolated and that nobody is listening to them.

We are showing that we do care about the situation over there and that we have lived through conflict – or for part of my life, I have lived through it, till 1994. We were exactly the same, we have our own conflict experience. In the way that it has improved here, it could happen over there too.

Maybe they can learn something from our experience. In my opinion, violence and guns cause nothing but pain and death. It might sound childish or even very childish, but the only way to solve conflict is by talking to each other and negotiating.

Yes, it does sound a bit simplistic (to say it like that), but it worked for us in the end, and it's still happening.