Priority Title: Good Relations Forums
Delivery Agent: Newry and Mourne District Council
Priority – aim: A relationship building body, seeking to build trust, develop intra community understanding and promote mediation and civic dialogue by providing a private space for key influencers within the community.
Objectives: To positively contribute to good Relations between people of different political, religious and ethnic background and challenge attitudes towards sectarianism and racism.
Activities:
- Establishment and development of community and middle level forums across the cluster area
- Provision of capacity building training for individuals to engage in good relations work and more specifically forums.
- Provision of area specific mediation across the cluster as appropriate.
Contact information for the Lead Officer is:
Sarah Nesbitt/Suzanne Rice
O’Hagan House,
Monahgan Row,
Newry BT35 8DJ
Tel: 0283031 3065 (work) or 07854167122 (mobile)
Email: sarah.nesbitt@newryandmourne.gov.uk
Email: suzanne.rice@newryandmourne.gov.uk
Contact information for the other Good Relations Officers within the cluster:
Armagh City and District Council:
Mary Toal
Tel: 028 3752 9600
Email: mary.toal@armagh.gov.uk
Craigavon Borough Council:
Davina McCartney
Tel: 028 3831 2490
Email: Davina.mccartney@craigavon.gov.uk
Banbridge District Council:
Dolores Donnelly
Tel: 028 4066 0600
Email: dolores.Donnelly@banbridge.gov.uk
Training guide
To participate in the training contact Sarah Nesbitt (sarah.nesbitt@newryandmourne.gov.uk) or one of the Good Relations Officers in your local Council
Stage 1: Good Relations and Civic Leadership (Belfast)
Level: 2 Credits:3
This course aims to enable learners to understand:
- the influence of identity
- the importance of cultural diversity, and tacit cultures
- current legislation on equality
Study visits: political tour of Falls and Shankill Road
Stage 2: working with Contentious Cultural Issues (Dublin)
Level 2: Credits: 3
This course aims to enable learners to:
- understand the meaning of culture and tradition
- recognise culture and traditions as part of identity
- understand methods of cultural expression
- understand prejudice, stereotyping and discrimination
- understand cultural differences
Study visits: History of the battle of the Boyne (Drogeda); Kilmainham Jail; Croke Park; Island Bridge etc
Stage 3: Understanding Diversity (Poland)
Level 2: Credits: 3
The course aims to enable learners to:
- know the different approaches to interacting with people from other cultural backgrounds
- understand different personal styles of interaction with people from other cultural backgrounds
- recognise when cultural expression becomes cultural aggression
- understand the individual and community responsibilities involved in cultural diversity
- use practical skills to support positive engagement in a diverse environment.
Incorporating study visit to Poland
Stage 4: Conflict management (Derry)
Level 2: Credits: 6
This course aims to enable learners to understand:
- the nature of conflict
- the causes of conflict
- creative methods for dealing with conflict
Study visits: Bloody Sunday tour; history of Unionism tour; Bogside and Diamond etc
