Council officer wins top gong for work with Chinese business

Eamonn Toner, was awarded first prize at the 12th Annual National Environmental Health Research Colloquium for research he has completed involving fellow Environmental Health Officers and Chinese employers.

Eamonn undertook the research as part of completing an MSc Business Improvement and then developed the research in partnership with Derry City Council's Community Relations Officer, Sue Divin into a corporate improvement investigation through the City Council's Good Relations Strategy.

The research investigated the effectiveness of communications shared between Chinese employers, operating within the catering sector, and Environmental Health Officers practicing across the western region including the district council areas of Derry, Strabane, Limavady, Omagh and Fermanagh.

Ninety-one Chinese catering businesses and Fifty-six Environmental Health Officers were engaged as part of the study, which has produced key strategic and operational related recommendations for the Environmental Health profession.

Entries this year for the competition were also accepted from Canada, England and Scotland with judging at the Research Colloquium taking place as part of the two day All-Island Environmental Health Conference hosted at the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone on the 13 and 14 May 2010

Commenting on the success Eamonn said: "I am very honoured to receive this award on behalf of all of the many individuals and organizations from within the public, private and voluntary sector who worked extremely hard, in the spirit of true partnership, to ensure the success of this much need work."

The Mayor, Councillor Paul Fleming extending his congratulations said it was an excellent piece of research work that would benefit workers within the public, private and voluntary sector. "Well done to everyone involved in this initiative. It's a very worthwhile research project and a worthy winner of the award," he commented.

Eileen Chan-Hu, Chief Executive of the Chinese Welfare Association said: "'I would like to congratulate Eamonn on this award which is very much deserved.

"Chinese catering businesses have been here for over 40 years and have made a considerable contribution and impact to Northern Ireland. #

"The research highlights the difficulties not only in terms of the language barrier but also in cultural attitudes which can often lead to miscommunication.

"I would also like to thank Sai Pak Chinese Community Association, the five participating councils, Community Relations Council and all of the Chinese businesses who took part in this innovative study with ourselves.

"I believe that this groundbreaking piece of work should now act as a model of best practice to other public sector organisations within areas such as health and education who wish to improve the effectiveness of their communications with the Chinese community and other minority ethnic communities."

Sue Divin, Community Services Section, Development Department stated: "This award is fantastic vindication for the huge efforts that have been made through the design and delivery of this research.

"The outcomes achieved ensure that councils are effectively informed to lead by example in terms of mainstreaming good relations practice into Environmental Health Service delivery to Ethnic Minorities."