Pictured are participants visiting Fort Dunree in Donegal as part of the Brighter Futures programme
Community groups from across the council areas of Moyle, Limavady, Coleraine and Ballymoney recently participated on a cross-border visit and workshop to Donegal to learn how members from across the cultural divide fought together during the Great War.
The event took place on Tuesday 25 May and was part of the North East PEACE III Partnership’s Building Brighter Futures programme. The group of 30 delegates visited Fort Dunree, near Buncrana, which began its life as a British Military fortification guarding the approaches to Lough Swilly over 200 years ago. The fort was transferred to Irish jurisdiction in 1938 and remained as a Coastal Defence Station until the early 1990’s.
Now, as a heritage museum and centre for peace-building, it welcomes groups from all over Ireland that have an interest in history and a concern for the way we share our island in the future. The group was given a conducted tour of the Fort which included its unique history and spectacular location. It then attended a workshop deliberating the Irish participation in World War I and how this history impacts on our society and lives today.
“The group had an excellent day and really enjoyed their visit to this stunning part of Donegal,” commented Damien Kearney, Programme Manager and Co-ordinator from Business in the Community. “Many of the group participants had no comprehension of the significance of the Fort and the role it played in our shared history. The aim of this visit and workshop was to bring together community groups participating on the Building Brighter Futures Programme from across the North East PEACE III cluster area in the context of a practical learning experience, with particular reference to the shared British/Irish element of its history.
The workshops focused on the causes of conflict in Ireland prior to the Great War, including: how men and women of both communities came together and fought side by side, Irish experiences during the Battle of the Somme, the Battle of Messines and the 16th Irish and 36th Ulster Division. The workshops were designed to foster an understanding of how these experiences can have a positive impact on our attitudes today.”
A number of school principals and teachers recently attended the first meeting of the North East PEACE III Partnership’s Schools based Leadership Programme, which is being delivered by the North Eastern Education and Library Board.
The project will see 12 Schools from the 6 council areas of Ballymoney, Ballymena, Coleraine, Larne, Moyle and Limavady work in collaboration to deliver projects for young people that will develop capacity and skills in the area of peace building. The programme aims to better equip young people to make informed decisions and choices both in school and in their local community as they seek to challenge racist and sectarian attitudes.
“Ballymena Inter Ethnic Forum is an outstanding example of the hard work done by individuals, groups and organisations across Northern Ireland to make communities safer places to live”
Justice Minister, David Ford MLA
Speaking at the Intercultural Achievement Awards on Tuesday 22 June 2010 in the Long Gallery at Parliament Buildings, Justice Minister Ford, MLA presented the Community Safety Award to Ballymena Inter Ethnic Forum and congratulated the Agency for its work on the Bi-lingual Advocacy Project – an initiative which provides support to ethnic minorities in Ballymena, and gives advice on community safety issues in partnership with the local PSNI.
The Award ceremony was sponsored by the Department of Justice, OFMDFM, PSNI and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to recognise and celebrate the work of those who promote integration and building relationships in communities
Cllr Maurice Mills, Mayor of Ballymena said “On behalf of Council, I congratulate Ballymena Inter Ethnic Forum on their tremendous performance in the Intercultural Development Awards. I look forward to hosting a reception from them in July and continuing to work in partnership as we strive to make Ballymena “A Great Place to Be” for all our citizens.
Alderman PJ McAvoy, Vice Chairperson of Ballymena Community Safety Partnership responded to the news by stating, “We are absolutely delighted at the success of Ballymena Inter Ethnic Forum. Reducing fear of crime among ethnic minorities is one of the three key priorities for Community Safety Partnership in its 3-year strategic plan. I have no doubt that the Bi-Lingual Advocacy Project which is funded by the Community Safety Partnership, DPP, OFMDFM and Ballymena Borough Council, has made a real and tangible difference to the lives of Ethnic Minority communities in the Borough”.
PSNI District Commander for ‘H’ District, Chief Superintendent. Nigel Goddard said “The Police in Ballymena have really benefitted from the establishment of the Bi-lingual Advocacy Service provided by BIEF as it has given us access to minority communities that just wasn’t available before. We have seen how this has helped to build confidence between the local police and new communities in Ballymena. The recognition is truly deserved and I know BIEF will continue to deliver a real benefit both to my organisation and the wider Ballymena Community.”
Ivy Ridge, Ethnic Minorities Project Manager said “We would like to thank OFMDFM, Ballymena Borough Council, Ballymena Community Safety Partnership, Ballymena District Policing Partnership, PSNI and Ballymena Inter Agency Ethnic Support Group for the invaluable support they have given to the project. We are honored that our work has been given this prestigious recognition and we look forward to developing our partnerships so that together we can continue to build better and stronger relationships in our communities.”
In addition to winning the Community Safety Award, Ballymena Inter-Ethnic Forum were also runners up for both the Community Involvement and the Good Race Relations Awards. To find out more about Ballymena Inter Ethnic Forum or the Bi-Lingual Advocacy Project, please contact Ivy Ridge, Ethnic Minorities Project Manager for BIEF on 028 2564 3605 or email ivy.ridge@bief.org.uk
