In 1990 Mike Shaw, an attorney with a background in arbitration and mediation and Highland Park Rotary member collaborated with the Belfast Rotary Club who was also keen to see how they could have a presence in the recent Peace Agreement in Ireland. This was the start of Towards A Better Understanding or as it is known, TABU.
TABU is an exchange program exclusively between the Belfast and Highland Park/Highwood Rotary clubs. On the even years, six students from the Belfast area come to Highland Park with member of the Belfast Club and spend a busy week experiencing how conflict and social injustice is handled here. In the odd years, six students from the Highland Park/ Highwood area travel with a few club members to Belfast. The clubs cover the expenses.
Many of the students who had returned from both countries are energized as well as moved by what they saw and experienced. Many have become lawyers, international advocates for peace, human rights and social injustice.
Our 2017 HPHS students with Rev. Goode (instrumental in the Irish Peace Agreement).