THE Londonderry Bands Forum (LBF) has confirmed it has accepted an invitation to give a presentation at a Fringe Event due to take place at the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis in the Millennium Forum this weekend.
It is one of eight groups invited to the Sinn Fein conference on Saturday, March 7 at 1 pm.
The coordinator of the LBF Derek Moore is one of three representatives from the Forum who will be attending.
Referring to the decision by the Forum to accept the invitation, Mr Moore said that the Bands Forum welcomed the opportunity to communicate its purpose and activities to a wider audience and that this is “one such opportunity”.
He added: ‘The focus of the presentation will be on three main areas of the current Peace Impact Programme project which is funded by the International Fund of Ireland to whom we express our gratitude.
“The three main areas are:- Educational Underachievement especially in young protestant males; Positivity and, in keeping with our central aim of engaging in Dialogue to address Misconceptions and Preconceptions, highlighting and questioning the unfair and negative media and political stereotypes pertaining to the Marching Bands culture; and Building Relationships with those, prepared to work co-operatively, on the basis of respectful inclusion and equality, with the Forum in developing and exploring ways in which to further develop the on-going peace process.
“This can only bring social and economic benefits for all.’’
Kenny McFarland, Chairman of the LBF, said that the decision was taken by band representatives over the last two Forum meetings.
He said it was seen as a natural progression for the LBF which, he believes, has shown positive community leadership through its developmental project based on the Marching Bands Activity Sheet and used in many local schools and in its contribution to the ground-breaking Maiden City Accord, produced with the Loyal Orders.
Derek Moore, who recently led members of the LBF in what he regarded as a positive meeting with Minister of Education, John O’Dowd MLA expressed his concern and unease with attitudes and perceptions that he believes exist within the education sector which manifests itself in the different attitudes and support offered to young musicians from different musical traditions.
He said: “Within in the current Education System it seems there is greater acknowledgment and support, financial and otherwise for young musicians from the more recognised traditional and classical musical backgrounds.
“They enjoy full support by their schools and education boards yet young bandsmen and bands-women from the LBF and other forums in Northern Ireland have little or no support or recognition even within their own schools.
“This is a situation which we feel needs to be addressed positively through co-operation with school and Educational decision-makers.
“It raises issues of respect and self-esteem which can impact negatively on education.’’
The third member of the LBF panel will be former director of St Columbs Park House, Peace and Reconciliation Trust, Brian Dougherty MBE.
He said that in his opinion the leadership and progressiveness of bands has made a huge impact in the city and participation in events like the Maiden City Festival, Walled City Tattoo and the All Ireland Fleadhs had shown everyone the skills and competency level that existed.
Mr Dougherty added that work on parading solutions, chaired by the coordinator of the LBF Derek Moore had resulted in the production of the Maiden City Accord.
He said it had shown that the meetings and discussions that have taken place over the past 30 years by the Apprentice Boys of Derry including the former speaker at Stormont Lord Hay and local PUL politicians, with the Bogside Residents Group and business leaders have not been in vain and and are coming to a positive conclusion.
“Given the positive example that Londonderry displays throughout Northern Ireland the LBF think that the time is right and opportune to provide a new non-political opinion to different audiences on the issues that are of real concern to them as one of the most forward-looking groups in the country.”
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