Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Good Relations Team marked Good Relations Week with a showcase event at Coleraine Town Hall, bringing community organisations and statutory agencies together to highlight the importance of creating welcoming, inclusive and cohesive communities across the Borough.
This year’s theme was ‘Include’, with the event providing an opportunity for organisations to share information about the services, programmes and funding available to local communities.
Information stalls were hosted by organisations including Londonderry Bands Forum, North Antrim Glinnti and BCRC, while attendees also had the opportunity to explore the ‘Wear Your Courage’ exhibition by Barnardo’s Ubuntu NI Youth Voice Network. The exhibition shared stories of resilience, identity and belonging.
The afternoon programme featured Irish music, performances by Limavady Highland Dancers and a kite-making workshop delivered by Go Fly Your Kite.
Copies of the World of Stories exhibition booklet were also available, sharing the experiences and cultures of people who have made the Causeway area their home.
The Good Relations Team continued its programme of activity throughout the week, with Diversity Education workshops delivered in seven primary schools. The workshops form part of an annual programme with four facilitators visiting participating schools to deliver interactive sessions exploring the countries and cultures they originate from.
Thirteen schools are taking part in this year’s Diversity Education programme.
Workshops were also delivered in Dungiven and Cloughmills as part of the ‘Local Roots, American Routes’ programme, exploring local family history and stories of migration.
The two courses culminated in a visit to the Ulster American Folk Park, with a further two courses due to begin in Coleraine and Garvagh early next year.
Through these programmes and activities, the Good Relations Team continues to work with communities, schools and partner organisations to promote understanding, celebrate diversity and support positive relationships across the Borough.
