Derry City Council training to encourage Protestants and Catholics to get on

LONDONDERRY’S local authority is offering free courses to try to encourage Protestants and Catholics and people of all faiths, races and genders get on better.
Sue Divin (right) with Presbyterian Moderator Rev. Robert Craig and colleague from Derry City Council's Community Relations Department, Angela Askin. Ms Divin is encouraging people to take a free good relations course this month.Sue Divin (right) with Presbyterian Moderator Rev. Robert Craig and colleague from Derry City Council's Community Relations Department, Angela Askin. Ms Divin is encouraging people to take a free good relations course this month.
Sue Divin (right) with Presbyterian Moderator Rev. Robert Craig and colleague from Derry City Council's Community Relations Department, Angela Askin. Ms Divin is encouraging people to take a free good relations course this month.

Sue Divin, community relations officer with Derry City Council, encouraged people to avail of the training.

“The course is being run under the Derry City Council Good Relations Strategy which aims to make a meaningful difference locally to attitudes and actions, policies and places in a society in transition from conflict to lasting peace.”

The course is organised for local groups, volunteers and members of staff who have limited or no previous knowledge of community relations.

It aims at raising awareness around diversity, equality, sectarianism, prejudice and the impact of the past on society and communities today.

Ms Divin said community relations training is a good building block for understanding a shared society and the course is also a good start for those interested in developing their own skills and knowledge or wanting to progress onto accredited courses for facilitation, mediation or community work locally. Funding is through the District Council’s Good Relations Programme (OFMDFM).

The course will take place on Thursday (September 19) between 9.30pm and 3:45pm at the Peace and Reconciliation Group offices on Bishop Street.

The course is non-accredited, but a certificate of attendance will be provided for all those who participate.

The closing date for registration is Thursday (September 12) 2013.

To register or for additional information, please contact Dean Steele at [email protected] or tel: 71365151 ext 8225.