Community Relations Council calls on local groups to get involved in Good Relations Week.
The Community Relations Council is encouragesxa0Newry Mourne and Down District Council area groups to get involved inxa0Good Relations Week 2022.
Deadline fast approaching forxa0local groups and organisations inxa0Newry Mourne & Down District Council areaxa0to get involved inxa0Good Relations Week 2022.
The Community Relations Council is encouraging local groups and organisations inxa0Newry, Mourne & Down District Council area to get involvedxa0inxa0Good Relations Week 2022 and help deliver a positive message that ‘Change Starts With Us’.
Co-ordinated by the Community Relations Council, Good Relations Week 2022xa0willxa0runxa0from Monday 19thxa0to Sunday 25thxa0September 2022 with an anticipated programme ofxa0up to 300xa0events 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, voluntaryxa0organisations, representative groups,xa0statutory bodies and businesses fromxa0acrossNewry, Mourne & Down District Council area are beingxa0encouragedxa0toxa0register their eventsxa0via:
by the deadline of Friday 26thxa0August 2022.
The theme for this year’s celebration isxa0‘‘Change Starts With Us’ and it will focus on the UN’sxa0Sustainable Development Goalsxa0to highlight thexa0political, social, economic, and environmental challenges we face as a region.
This includesxa0gender inequality, climatexa0changexa0and the environment, improving individualxa0health 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, 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.
“We are planning a packed programme ofxa0events that will use the UNxa0Sustainable Development Goalsxa0to highlight the political, social, economic, and environmental challenges and opportunities facing communities.xa0xa0The week willxa0reinforce the message that ‘Change Starts With Us’ and a collective effortxa0to achieve a sustainable future for our society.
“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.”
“We want to give everyone the chance to be part of this year’s programme, soxa0we encourage all organisations to shine a light onxa0theirxa0peace building and cultural diversityxa0efforts by getting involved in Good Relations Week 2022 and registering an event at:
www.goodrelationsweek.comxa0by the deadline of Friday 26thxa0August.”
Good Relations Week is supported by The Executive Office and contributes to delivering the Together: Building a United Community Strategy.
