Jo Berry
I have been on a long journey since my father, Sir Anthony Berry MP, was killed by the IRA
in the bombing of the 1984 Tory Party
conference in Brighton.
In the days after the bomb I wanted to somehow bring something positive out of the tragedy and began a journey of healing.
The last 25 years have been full of learnings and remarkable experiences
In November 2000 I met Pat Magee, the man responsible for planting the bomb and we have now become friends. For me, the question is about whether I can let go of my need to blame, and open my heart enough to hear Pat's story and understand his motivations. The truth is that, sometimes I can and sometimes I can’t and this choice is always there.
I wanted to meet Pat, to hear his story and see him as a real human being. At our first meeting I was terrified but as soon as we met we talked with an extraordinary intensity. I shared a lot about my father, while Pat told me some of his story. I realised half way through that first meeting that I was at the beginning of another journey.
I still have feelings that are painful. I still get angry but I have learnt that these feelings can be transformed into passion for change. My passion for change starts with me wanting to stop the cycle of violence and revenge in me and has grown into helping create a world in which violence is not seen as a viable way of resolving conflict.
My commitment is to see the humanity in everyone. Building Bridges for Peace is now a umbrella for all the work that I do to participate in creating a peaceful world.