Allyson Bachta International Peace Education Conference The Integrated Education movement in Northern Ireland began in March 1972, when Ms. Cecil Linehan, a Catholic parent, first publicly suggested that the educational system be used to help children through the conflict best known as “The Troubles.” This led to the formation of the first parent group in support of integrated education, a movement in which schools intentionally create balanced populations of students and staff from opposite sides of a regional conflict. After the opening of the first integrated school in 1981, Lagan College, the idea of using schools as a place to decrease tensions and achievement gaps between ethnic groups in conflict gained momentum and Northern Ireland’s integrated movement became the role model for countries all over the world. On March 6, 2012, integrated educators from Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Israel, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Germany, and the United States met to discuss the challenges and benefits of integrated education. Hosted by the Northern Ireland Council of Integrated Education (NICIE) and the Integrated Education Fund (IEF), this three-day conference began when Ms. Linehan, the Catholic parent that first proposed using integrated education as a way to create peace in Northern Ireland, welcomed the group and reflected on the challenges of Northern Ireland’s thirty year road to eliminating its segregated education system and achieving lasting peace. Similar issues discussed by all participants included the lack of political support, threats and vandalism against school properties and supporters, difficulties in finding staff who truly support an integrated education ethos, and general feelings of isolation and personal challenge in continuing to fight for integrated education. However, meeting former and current students who attended Northern Ireland’s integrated schools inspired all educators in attendance and reminded them of the continued importance of this effort. Study visits were conducted at Hazelwood Integrated Primary School and Lagan College, two of the first integrated schools in Northern Ireland. These visits allowed educators to see this peace education model in practice and discuss controversies that arise within an integrated setting. Dr. Dominic Bryan, of the Institute of Irish Studies at Queens University, conducted tours through the conflict areas of Belfast and participants were able to view the historical and controversial murals dotted around the city. A highlight of the week was the conference dinner at the Great Hall at Queen’s University hosted by Baroness May Blood, a staunch supporter of integrated education in Northern Ireland.