The Belonging Project is excited to participate in this year's Community Relations and Cultural Awareness Week with a collection of workshops and the launch of our month-long Whiterock Library exhibition! During the week of Monday 28th September to Sunday 4th October you can attend events throughout Northern Ireland from the community and voluntary sectors, education, and the public and business sectors to showcase innovative approaches to good relations and building a united and shared society. The theme this year is “One Place, Many People”.
Beginning on September 28th to October 30th, the Belonging Project's Cultural Awareness Week exhibition displays the lives and stories of migrants throughout Northern Ireland. Crafted by expert photographer Laurence Gibson, the exhibition is aimed at tackling racism and ending prejudice. Click here for more information.
We are holding several workshops throughout the week, kicking off on the afternoon of Monday, September 28th at the Colin Glen Library in Dunmurry. Click here for more information.
On Tuesday, September 29th we have a two workshops in Belfast. The first is at the Whiterock Library in the afternoon, while the second is at the Queens Film Theatre in the evening. QFT is hosting several events throughout the week. For a full list of QFT's Cultural Awareness Week events, click here.
Rounding out the week, we have one final workshop at the Whiterock Library on Thursday, October 1st.
The Community Relations Council describes the week's events as:
The week provides a platform for organisations and groups from the community and voluntary sectors, education, and the public and business sectors to showcase innovative approaches to good relations and building a united and shared society. This high profile initiative also supports the Together: Building A United Community strategy. It is an opportunity to celebrate all aspects of our culture and heritage, promote cultural diversity and tackle sectarianism and racism. It will help to inspire new ideas and approaches to break down barriers and increase understanding and engagement between and amongst all sections of the community.
Community Relations Week, co-ordinated by the Community Relations Council, is now in its 13th year. Last year, over 200 events were held throughout Northern Ireland and we are looking forward to another busy and varied programme this year. Increasingly public bodies, which have a statutory responsibility to promote good relations, have become involved in Community Relations Week and have organised events that can showcase good relations initiatives. District Councils have been particularly supportive. We hope this will continue to be the case this year. The many voluntary and community groups active in Northern Ireland are also encouraged to come forward and demonstrate the rich diversity of civic life. Events can take many forms from artistic performances, exhibitions and competitions to lectures, discussions and debates.
Find an event near you and join in!
For the full Cultural Awareness Week brochure click here.