Local Groups encouraged to Get ‘Together’ within the Borough as part of Good Relations Week 2023
Fri, September 15, 2023
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is one of many organisations which marks Good Relations Week every year.
There is usually something for everyone on the programme of events across the Borough with local groups and organisations within Causeway Coast and Glens coming together in a variety of events as part of Good Relations Week.
Celebrating this year’s theme ‘Together’, the events form part of a wider programme of activity which will take place across the country between Monday 18th and Saturday 23rd September 2023.
Continuing to build upon the progress already achieved in encouraging and supporting change within our communities, the Good Relations Week programme offers workshops, lectures, panel discussions, feature talks, podcasts, storytelling, new digital content, exhibitions, and other events. Good Relations Week is co-ordinated by the Community Relations Council and supported by The Executive Office as part of the Together: Building a United Community Strategy.
The events are designed to offer a simple but powerful message; that working ‘together’ is the most effective vehicle for tackling the problems our communities face today. As well as serving as testament to the unity achieved within the last 25 years, the brand-new creative programme of events will help address the challenges we are facing now, highlighting issues such as gender inequality, racism and sectarianism, climate change, promoting diversity, barriers to education, shared spaces, peacebuilding and celebrating cultural diversity.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Steven Callaghan said: “I am delighted that Council is continuing to support Good Relations Week alongside local community groups and organisations.
“Our own Good Relations team are hosting a Café Culture event in Coleraine Town Hall on 21st September where participants will have the opportunity to talk to a number of people from diverse backgrounds.
“We have a fantastic network of support organisations throughout the Borough, and I look forward to seeing our local communities come together during the week to celebrate diversity and inclusivity through local initiatives.”
Speaking about the Good Relations Week programme Martin McDonald MBE, Chair of the Community Relations Council, said: “I am delighted the incredible work of bringing our communities together is continuing with this year’s Good Relations Week programme.”
“The diversity and creativity of the events taking place are a testament to the propensity for cultural expression continuously exhibited by the people of Northern Ireland. We would love to see communities coming together to help celebrate our commonalities and differences alike and show their support for those running events.”
Dr, Jacqueline Irwin, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Relations Council said: “The ways in which individuals and organisations right across the region come together to support Good Relations Week provides a glimpse of the work that goes on all year – thank you to everyone contributing to the Week. It is great to see so many community groups getting involved alongside local councils, housing associations, our libraries and museums. I would encourage everyone to visit the website and browse the huge number of events on offer.”
“It has been a difficult year financially. I believe, now more than ever, that we need to work together to share ideas, space, and experiences as we tackle inequality and the wide range of issues we are facing in our society.”
Chris Gardner, Director of Good Relations and T:BUC Division TEO commented: “Initiatives such as Good Relations Week are an integral part of our continuing community strategy and are especially important at times of economic challenge. This programme plays a vital role in bringing communities together to continue the dialogues which helps ensure a peaceful, fair, equal and prosperous society for all people.”
“On behalf of everyone involved I want to thank the Community Relations Council and all the organisations, community groups and individuals dedicating time and energy to producing these fantastic events. I hope the general public sign up to attend and get a lot back from their engagement.”
For further information on the Café Culture event on 21st September in Coleraine Town Hall, please email good.relations@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk (Places are limited)
For more information on the wider Good Relations Week 2023 programme of events visit www.goodrelationsweek.com or keep up to date on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #GRW23.
Good Relations Week
Is coordinated by the Community Relations Council with the support of a Co-Design Steering Group Committee that includes representation from: The Executive Office, Department for Communities, Department of Justice, Education Authority, Cathedral Quarter Trust, The Nerve Centre, The Rainbow Project, Volunteer Now, Another World Belfast, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and NI Environment Link. Good Relations Week supports the aims and objectives NI Executive’s Good Relations Strategy, Together: Building a United Community. The Week provides a platform for the 300 groups and organisations, many grant supported by the Community Relations Council, as well as statutory bodies such as The Executive Office, the Education Authority, Libraries NI and the 11 local Councils to showcase the work they are doing in their local area in the field of community relations and cultural diversity.
