Renowned Journalist Inspires Students with Powerful Talk on Forgiveness

Esteemed journalist Marina Cantacuzino MBE, founder of the Forgiveness Project, captivated our GCSE Theology and Philosophy students, as well as budding journalists, during a recent enlightening session.

Marina delved into her experiences reporting on the Iraq war, highlighting how this led her to establish the groundbreaking Forgiveness Project. She shared stories of individuals who, despite enduring profound trauma and injustice, chose forgiveness over revenge.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Marina explored the nuances of forgiveness, sparking insightful questions from students on the complexities of the concept. Drawing upon wise words from figures like Desmond Tutu and Ben Okri, she emphasized the transformative power of stories in shaping our values and perceptions.

Student Reactions:

Students who attended the event were deeply impacted by Marina’s message. One student expressed, ‘I really enjoyed the event and found that it opened my eyes to what forgiveness is and that it’s possible to forgive no matter how large the crime, even if it’s very difficult.’ Another described the event as ‘powerful and thought-provoking’ and praised its ability to shed light on the courage displayed in forgiving profound hurt. A Year 12 student reflected on how the talk had fundamentally shifted their perspective on forgiveness, urging for such messages to be shared widely for all to benefit.

We were honoured to host Marina Cantacuzino and grateful for the invaluable insights she shared with our students, fostering a deeper understanding of forgiveness and empathy.