North West Youth Forum for Peace and Reconciliation

The aim of the Forum is to equip young people to act as community leaders, who will promote positive attitudes and create opportunities for Peace and Reconciliation.

The initial meetings of the Forum focused on allowing the young people to get to know each other and build relationships. The group also participated in a team building residential experience to Gortatole Outdoor Education Centre where they began the planning process for a Project Development Scheme.

A spokesman said: “The ‘Make a Difference’ Project Development Scheme aims to fund exciting, innovative and fun youth programmes that will promote inclusion and good relations in the North West cluster area of Derry/ Londonderry, Strabane and Omagh. We intend to encourage young people to apply for the funding to support meaningful contact between groups, awareness raising and to provide opportunities for training.

“The North West Youth Forum for Peace and Reconciliation will review and score all applications and will make recommendations to the WELB Youth Service as to the programmes they feel should receive funding.

“The group are also currently participating in accredited training in ‘Promoting Good Relations’, after which it is hoped they will use the skills they have gained to deliver peer education workshops in their communities.

“In the coming months the Forum will be organising a multicultural quiz night, a study visit, a peace camp in Gortatole and a public relations and media campaign to highlight the issues relating to good relations and to promote acceptance and understanding of diversity.”

If you have any questions or queries on the work of the North West Youth Forum for Peace and Reconciliation, the ‘Make a Difference’ Project Development Scheme, or future opportunities to become involved in good relations work, contact Lynsey Cathcart on: 02871313444 (ext 4) or email [email protected]

The North West Youth Forum for Peace and Reconciliation is a programme supported by the Peace III Programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the North West Peace III Cluster.