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This year the theme is ‘Time 2 Change the conversation? A shared future for a new generation’, andwith 40 events are being organised by Derry City Council and community organisations.

These are planned as part of a Northern Ireland wide series of events, taking place from April 26 to May 2.

Community Relations Week is organised by the Community Relations Council (CRC) and includes events run by local councils, public bodies and community and voluntary sector organisations.

“Changed times need changed conversations.” commented CRC chief executive, Duncan Morrow “To ensure we create a real welcome for all we need to talk about how we live together not why we can’t. Young people are key to shaping a shared future and they are an important part of many of the events happening throughout Community Relations Week.”

Youth events feature largely in the Londonderry programme and include sport, music drama, arts craft and history. The Playhouse is the venue for young people from interface communities taking part in the What IF project to launch a mural to celebrate their work.

The Cathedral Youth Club are launching a brochure and DVD attracting people to visit the Fountain Estate to dispel the fear and sectarian myth around this community. Called the Footsteps Through the Fountain Trail, it has been compiled by young people and highlights 22 sites of interest.

Derry City Council are organising a music and arts event focusing on shared space called ‘All Arts and Parts’ on Saturday April 24 at Waterside Theatre and the Ebrington Centre . Workshops will be run by Different Drums and the North West Carnival Initiative. This is a free public cross community event.

The Peace and Reconciliation Group are running a workshop to examine the impact locally of the devolution of policing and justice powers regarding dealing with the past. This takes place at the Junction on Monday April 26 from 11am to 1pm.

One third of the 150 events focus on working with young people and they are at the centre of the flagship event of the week organised by the Community Relations Council and YouthNet. Entitled ‘Breaking Barriers Through Youth Work’ this major policy conference will take place at W5 in Belfast on Tuesday April 27. It will examine the role of youth work in conflict transformation and reconciliation and the impact of community relations work on young people.

Encouraging people to take part in Community Relations Week events Duncan Morrow said: “Join in the conversations to shape a future which is no longer just another version of the past. Courage and persistence are still required if we are to become a place that is truly shared, fair and peaceful.”

A full listing of Community Relations Week events can be found at www.nicrc.org.uk and printed programmes can be obtained from local libraries.