Celebrating good relations

COMMUNITY groups from around borough attended a special event last week in recognition of their work towards the council's Good Relations programme.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Mar 2010, 08:51 BST

Last Wednesday, March 3, Good Relations Officer for Limavady Borough Council Patricia Cameron, held a celebration event at the Radisson Hotel and was attended by representatives from various groups. The event was held by the council to thank local them for their participation in, and contribution to, the programme by either participating in workshops and events or delivering their own projects with the help of Good Relations funding support. Patricia highlighted some of the work carried out throughout the last year. Followed by another two presentations looking at best practice projects by local community groups on the projects they delivered with the help of funding support. Mel O' Hara from the North West Lifelong Learning Association (NWLLA) detailed the 'Word Play' project they delivered to over 80 people. The project involved delivering a series of workshops at local community centres to look at the use of language used in conflict and the impact of words. The project also looked at words used for disability and the impact they can have. Michelle Friel and Paul Shiels delivered a presentation on a joint project between Drumsurn Community Association and Bovalley Community Association. The project 'Same but Different' brought two community groups together from different backgrounds to participate in a residential. This involved a series of workshops addressing issues of difference and cultural traditions aiming to provide young people with an understanding and acceptance of difference and to challenge perceptions and stereotypes.

Speaking on the event Good Relations Officer Patricia Cameron said: "The local community has engaged in many forms of Good Relations work. I wish to thank all those who have contributed to the Good Relations Programme over the last year. Good Relations is an integral part of community development in Northern Ireland and it is critical that this good work continues to develop. We invited people to this event to showcase some best practice projects and to show our appreciation of the work carried out within local communities."