Press Releases

150 events to take place during Community relations week

20th April 2007

150 events to take place during Community relations week

The countdown to the biggest date in the community relations calendar beings today (April 20, 2007) at a showcase event for Community Relations Week. Thousands of people will participate in the programme of events between April 30 and May 6, which includes more than 150 events to highlight the vital work that goes on year round to help build a shared future.

The week, which will feature activities in every county and in every council area, is organised each year by the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council (CRC).

The showcase launch event at Belfast Exposed Photography on the city’s Donegall Street features examples of the work taking place during the week and begins at 11.30am (See notes to editor for details).

CRC Chief Executive Duncan Morrow says that Community Relations Week showcases the important work that takes place in our communities to support the transformation from our still divided, post-conflict society to a genuinely shared future.

“We have seen considerable political developments in recent weeks and months and numerous extremely positive signals emanating from our politicians. We must continue to underpin and encourage this political progress with work in the community to build relationships and trust. The events taking place during Community Relations Week are extremely positive examples of how this is being done,” he says.

“The events of the week, of course, are only a snapshot of what goes on throughout the year. Peace building has been ongoing in local communities for decades, where ordinary people have taken small steps forward and such initiatives, often unsung, continue to improve lives in Northern Ireland and help in the transformation towards a more shared future for us all,” Dr Morrow adds.

Community Relations Week will feature more than 150 events, including music and drama involving young people, a transformation policy conference by CRC examining issues of conflict transformation, a youth conference organised by the Youth Council and the Presbyterian Church is launching a five-week peacemaking course available to any congregation in Ireland. Events are taking place in all 26 district council areas.

Events are being organised by CRC, Northern Ireland’s councils, community groups, statutory bodies, educational establishments and other organisations. A full listing of Community Relations Week events is available at www.nicrc.org.uk and printed programmes are available in local libraries.

END

Media contact:

Chris Harrison, Dorothy Hawe or Kathryn Kirk, JPR: 028 9076 0066 or 077 6641 7550

Notes to editor:Performers at the event are:

The Motion project is a multicultural collective of over 50 musicians living in NI representing 18 countries. Through the music of the Motion Project – One Band Many Cultures, they aim to celebrate diversity and to challenge racism and sectarianism in NI. They are taking part in events from Antrim – Armagh and Londonderry throughout Community Relations Week.

Darren Ferguson from the Motion Project has organised a group of performers for the launch who are:-   Aidian Millighan (Ireland) Bodhran Drums; Jan Uhrin (Slovakia) Bass Guitar; Gabriel Makamanzi (Zimbabwe) African Thumb Piano & Vocals; Zhenia Mandi-Nau (Iran) Djembe Drums & Vocals; Vicente Ziritt (Venezuela) Latin Congas & Bongos

 
Artsekta

Nisha Tandon of Artsekta along with script writer Frances Gunn have prepared a drama presentation looking at how ethnic minority nurses are treated by local patients and doctors. This is part of an event by Eastern Area, Equality Best Practice Forum at Knockbracken Health Care Park where the drama is followed by a panel discussion.

There will be four actors Nisha, Pat, Roisin and Pritan.

Human Statues

Eamonn Deane from the Holywell Trust has organized to bring the Hands  Across the Divide human statues to Belfast for the launch. They are local amateur dramatic players. They will be appearing at venues across Londonderry and other parts of Northern Ireland.