THE public are being encouraged to take an active role in this year’s Community Relations and Cultural Awareness Week by attending some of the many events with a cultural and ethnic focus.
Taking place between 28 September and 04 October, Community Relations and Cultural Awareness Week is an important way of engaging with the public and encouraging them to actively think about the community they are part of and appreciate and embrace the cultural diversity we are experiencing.
A series of events are taking place across the Council area including a migration awareness seminar at the Shared Future Centre on Thursday 01 October at 9.30am, aimed at raising awareness of migration and asylum seekers, while later that day the same venue will host a seminar entitled Ending Hate, in an effort to increase awareness of how to recognise and challenge hate crimes and hate speech.
Those interested in building awareness of working in the field of identity, diversity and arts, are encouraged to attend an Intercultural Arts Training event at the Shared City Centre on Friday, 02 October at 10 am. To register to attend these seminars please book in advance by contacting [email protected]tel: 71253253 ext 8223.
A unique celebration event, entitled Phillippines Pearl of the Orient, will be held at the Holywell, Bishop Street, where the public can experience at first had the vibrant culture, traditions and food of our local Filipino community, on Saturday 26 September from 10 am to 1pm, while an informal conference aimed at encouraging the public to talk about some topical hot potato issues such as parading, refugees and policing, will be held at the Maldon Hotel on Wednesday, 30th September between 10 am and 2pm. Please register in advance with[email protected] tel: 71253253 ext 8225
All details on community relations week events can be found at www.derrystrabane.com/goodfrelations
Jacqueline Irwin, Chief Executive of the Community Relations Council, said, “There is one message that we hope everyone will get from the Week: Nothing about the future can be taken for granted. The job of learning to live peacefully is not yet done and if we want this place to be positive and inclusive, we all have to play a part in making it so at village, town, city and regional levels.”
She added, “It is very encouraging to see the variety of events taking place this year involving people of all ages and backgrounds. There are performances, sporting events, discussions, workshops and launches of new books and resources. Public bodies, sports clubs, schools, churches, charities and community groups are all taking part and with a shared goal of making this a place of understanding, hospitality and welcome for strangers as well as for friends.”
About Community Relations & Cultural Awareness Week:
Over 180 events are taking place across Northern Ireland to mark Community Relations & Cultural Awareness Week which is in place to celebrate diversity, highlight best practice and consider what it means to share one place as many different people.
Community Relations and Cultural Awareness Week is now in its 13th year and is organised by the Community Relations Council. Local councils, public bodies, schools and community and voluntary organisation run various events throughout the Week.
Community Relations and Cultural Awareness Week will begin with its flagship event, the ‘One Place, Many People’ Policy and Practice conference organised by the Community Relations Council. Taking place this year at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast, it will explore changes needed to build a shared and reconciled society.
A full listing of Community Relations Week events can be found at www.nicrc.org.uk .
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