Up to 300 events for Good Relations Week in Mid Ulster

UP to 300 events are being organised to mark Good Relations Week in the Mid Ulster district next month.

The Community Relations Council is encouraging local groups and organisations in Mid Ulster District Council area to get involved in the initiative and help deliver their positive message that ‘Change Starts With Us’.

Co-ordinated by the Community Relations Council, Good Relations Week 2022 will run from Monday, September 19 – 25 with an anticipated programme of up to 300 events from a diverse range of organisations across the region.

This will include a mixture of workshops, lectures, panel discussions, feature talks, podcasts, film, music and dance performances, storytelling and exhibitions.

Local community groups, voluntary organisations, representative groups, statutory bodies and businesses from across Mid Ulster District Council area are being encouraged to register their events via www.goodrelationsweek.com by the deadline of Friday, August 26.

The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘‘Change Starts With Us’ and it will focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to highlight the political, social, economic, and environmental challenges we face as a region.

This includes gender inequality, climate change and the environment, improving individual health and well-being, eradicating poverty, and hunger, and removing barriers to improved education.

The annual celebration of peace building, and cultural diversity work will showcase the outstanding good relations efforts of local communities in delivering peace and prosperity to the region.

It will also address a wide range of local challenges and concerns, everything from sectarianism and racism to shared spaces, peace-building and cultural diversity.

Martin McDonald MBE, who is the Chair of the Community Relations Council, said, “Good Relations Week has adopted the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals within its theme this year as we call on local communities to work together to achieve a better and more sustainable future for us all.

“The theme will showcase the imagination, enthusiasm, and commitment of local groups and organisations in their efforts on a day-to-day basis to work towards a better and more sustainable future for everyone, and hopefully inspire others to make a lasting difference, big or small, in their communities.

“We want this year’s celebration of peace building and cultural diversity work to shine a light on the importance of recognising that meaningful and lasting change in our everyday lives starts with us and those around us.

“Change starts with us continuing to tackle important issues such sectarianism, racism, and other forms of identity hatred and inequality, and our efforts towards breaking down barriers to unite communities around us.

“It will also focus attention on important issues and challenges we are facing today, including mental health, education, the pandemic, food poverty, and the environment.”

Jacqueline Irwin, chief executive of the Community Relations Council added, “In a time of dramatic change and uncertainty, we want Good Relations Week 2022 to celebrate the outstanding good relations efforts of local organisations across the region to bring communities together, regardless of background, culture, or heritage.

“Good Relations Week 2022 will provide an opportunity for communities to take stock, celebrate transformative good relations work and hopefully inspire others around us to take action for a shared and sustainable future.”

She added, “We want to give everyone the chance to be part of this year’s programme, so we encourage all organisations to shine a light on their peace building and cultural diversity efforts by getting involved in Good Relations Week 2022 and registering an event at www.goodrelationsweek.com by the deadline of Friday, August 26.”

Good Relations Week is supported by The Executive Office and contributes to delivering the Together: Building a United Community Strategy.

For more information on the Good Relations Week 2022 and to register an event visit: www.goodrelationsweek.com.