■Free Job-Seeking Skills Courses

■Young Men Sought For GRIP Project ■Young People & Money - Free Training Courses

■Job Opportunites for Speakers of Danish, Dutch and Spanish ■GEMS NI Relocation

■Opportunities in Inbound Customer Service

■Participation in Queen’s Medical School ‘Student selected component’ programme

■An Evening With Debashish Bhattacharya ■South Belfast Inclusion Festival,  June 2008

■UPC Training Calendar, Summer 2008

■Sichuan Earthquake Appeal and Dragon Boat Race

■HBOS plc Inbound Sales Recruitment Day

■Residents’ Parking Action Group Delivers Letter to DRD

■Development Worker for Polish Association N.I.

■Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Officer - Job Advertisement

■Dragon Boat Festival Race - 1st June 2008

■‘Young People & Policing’ Dialogue Event for Young Women

■Diversity and Ethnicity Course, June 2008

■GEMS Recruiting Minority Ethnic Individuals Interested In Self-Employment

■Donegall Pass and The Markets Joint Protest Over Rampant Commuter Parking

■ICR Administrative/Information Assistant Vacancy

■Donegall Pass Residents Consider Action on Commuter Parking

■UPC e-News: April 2008 ■Assistant Play Worker Vacancies in LORAG

■Rates Relief to Elderly Stifled by Bureaucracy

■Ulster People’s College Training Calendar (April-June 2008)

■Pom Pom for Peace Tour August 2008 ■English Classes for Chinese

■Opportunities To Work In The Northern Ireland Civil Service

■Supporting Immigrant Parents, Best Practice and Lessons from Research

■CWA Community Relations Week Event

■South Belfast Festival of Inclusion and Diversity

■Equality Commission: 'Promoting Good Relations - A Summary Guide’

■People’s History Initiative/School of Education April Lectures

■Race and Ethnicity Course

■Racism: Moving Beyond Denial? ■Information Event for Migrant Communities

■Cultural Diversity Training, Holywood ■Shared Future of Race Relations Conference

■Basic Level ESOL Classes ■Peace Building in Interface Communities Course

■South Belfast Partnership Moves Premises ■Ladino Concert

■Margaret Ritchie: Ministerial Statement ‘Outcome of Affordability Review’

■Forum AGM

■Lecture: ‘Steps to Partition: From Home Rule to a Divided Ireland, 1900-25’

■Transition Training Free Courses

■SLIG Job Advertisement ■South Belfast Roundtable Training Programme to May 08

■The Moral Maze: Ethical Questions & The Shared Future

■The Things People Say, Book Launch ■Working In The Community Course

■Nigerian Couple Burned Out Of Home In Donegall Pass

■AONTAS STAR Awards, People’s History Initiative

■Integration & Community Cohesion Seminar, BCC ■Ulster People’s College, AGM

■Belfast City Council, Community Sector Grants ■GEMS NI Jobsfair 2008

■Czech Information Day - Feb 08 ■Free Courses - WEA/Groundwork

■‘Ending Hate in our Communities’ Training for Trainers programme

■Lecture - ‘Nationalism, Unionism and Home Rule: 1885–1914’ - UPC.

■Forum Success in Applying for Feasibility Study Funding from BCC

■Housing Executive: Temporary Relocation of Counter Service

■Ulster People’s College Training Calendar (Jan-May 2008)

■Senior Citizens’ Christmas Hamper Scheme

Wednesday 9th July 2008

Job Seeking Skills Courses, Free From GEMS NI - (From Jackie McGeown, GEMS NI) Starting in August 2008, GEMS is providing free courses for genuine job seekers that will develop skills in Job Search, CV Development and filling in Application Forms - to help people identify suitable jobs and have a much better chance of successfully applying for them. Course participants don’t need any qualifications or computer skills. The training is delivered to suit the needs of participants and takes place in local communities.  People do not have to be benefit claimants to join a course.
Interested people should contact Jackie McGeown - now - at 028 9033 2313 (email: j.mcgeown@gemsni.org.uk). To view/download the Course Poster, click here (Word .doc, 823 Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 82.6 Kb.).

Tuesday 8th July 2008

Young Men Sought For Good Relations Interface Project (GRIP) - (From Sam Askin, Belfast Interface Project) Belfast Activity Centre (BAC) is currently looking for young men between the ages of 17 and 23 for its new Good Relations Interface Project (GRIP).
The project’s overall aim is to engage young people in the development and regeneration of Belfast’s interface areas through the use of outdoor experiential learning.  The project will facilitate 12 young men to explore their individuality and their concept of ‘self’ - then assist them to understand their position within their community and within Northern Ireland.
This will be carried out through a series of confidence-building single-identity and cross-community workshops, a ten day expedition, a programme of community based projects and follow-up workshops.  This leadership programme will include:

• Initial confidence building days at Belfast Activity Centre
• A weekend in the Mourne Mountains
• Conflict management training
• Cross-community workshops
• An intense ten-day cross-border expedition
• Abseiling, caving, canoeing, mountain biking, high ropes and hiking
• A “solo” wildness element
• A community service project

The programme seeks to support and compliment existing work being undertaken by youth organisations in the greater Belfast area by working in partnership with key leaders and young people from local communities.

CRUCIAL INFORMATION

sThere are 12 places available

sThe programme will run from August 2008

sThe cost will be just £20 per person! (with bursary options)

For further details, please contact: Enda Young, Community Relations Project Worker, Belfast Activity Centre, Barnett’s Stable Yard, Barnett Demesne, Malone Road, BT9 5PB; Telephone: 028 9060 0132; email: enda.young@belfastactivitycentre.com.

Tuesday 8th July 2008

Young People and Money, Free Training - Sponsored by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and delivered in Northern Ireland by the Citizens Advice Bureau, Young People and Money is a free, one-day training course in financial capability training being delivered to anyone working with ‘NEET’ (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) young people. Those working with ‘NEET’ young people, or young people at risk of becoming ‘NEET’, will benefit from the training by being equipped with the skills and knowledge to support them in becoming financially capable.
Upcoming Dates:-

L’Derry - Thurs 10th July L’Derry - Tues 2nd September Belfast - Tues 29th July Craigavon - Mon 8th September Coleraine - Thurs 31st July Newry - Tues 16th September East Belfast - Tues 5th August Belfast - Tues 23rd September Lisburn - Mon 11th August Newtownards - Mon 6th October Omagh - Thurs 14th Auigust Omagh - Mon 13th October Ballymena - Tues 19th August Belfast - Tues 21st October Belfast - Tues 26th August Coleraine - Tues 28th October

To book a place, or for further information, visit the Young People and Money website - or contact the Young People and Money Team at Citizens Advice, Telephone: 028 9023 1120; email: ypam@citizensadvice.co.uk.

Monday 7th July 2008

Customer Care & Technical Support Job Opportunities - Randstad Work Solutions is seeking people, fluent in Danish, Dutch or Spanish, who are interested in the following positions:-
Danish Technical Support.  The position is permanent, full-time - located in Belfast City centre area.  The salary offered is £12,800 p.a. for 40 hours per week and candidates must be available for work from 8.00am - 10.00pm (Monday - Sunday).  The rewards and benefits are: 26 days holiday per year, birthday off, casual dress policy and fully-paid training. Successful candidates will be working as inbound technical support and will be the first point of contact for customer queries - providing a high level of customer service and anti-virus support. No ‘cold-calling’ is required.  Candidates should have superb inter-personal skills, be team players, have 6 months customer service/technical experience, have excellent grammatical and written skills - and posses excellent keyboard skills.  The employer is a leading global email provider; the working environment is a fresh, modern contact centre; staff have the opportunity to grow within customer service.
Dutch Customer Care Agent.  The position is permanent, full-time - located in Belfast City centre area.  The salary offered is £14,000 p.a. for 40 hours per week and candidates must be available for work from 8.00am - 9.00pm (Monday - Saturday). The rewards and benefits are: 26 days holiday per year, birthday off, casual dress policy and fully-comprehensive training programme.  Successful candidates will be working for a leading Irish broadband provider in a fast-paced and dynamic team environment with combined email and telephone communication quality standard target achievement.  Candidates should be fluent in both Dutch and English, with a minimum 1 year background in customer support and a keen interest in IT - together with excellent communication and team-working skills. The employer is an award-winning international telecommunications provider and successful candidates will be working in a leading multi-lingual contact centre.
Spanish Customer Care Agent.  The position is permanent, full-time - located in Belfast City centre area. The salary offered is £14,000 p.a. for 40 hours per week and candidates must be available for work from 8.00am - 9.00pm (Monday - Saturday). The rewards and benefits are: 26 days holiday per year, birthday off, casual dress policy and fully-comprehensive training programme. Successful candidates will be working for a leading Irish broadband provider in a fast-paced and dynamic team environment with combined email and telephone communication quality standard target achievement. Candidates should be fluent in both Spanish and English, with a minimum 1 year background in customer support and a keen interest in IT - together with excellent communication and team-working skills. The employer is an award-winning international telecommunications provider and successful candidates will be working in a leading multi-lingual contact centre.
For further information, please telephone 028 9033 0035 or call in to the branch office at: Randstad Work Solutions, 33-35 Bradbury Place, Belfast.  BT7 1RR.  Alternatively email your C.V., or your enquiry, to aine.irvine@uk.randstad.com.

Monday 7th July 2008

GEMS On The Move - (From Maeve M^cKeague, Project Co-ordinator, Minority Ethnic Employability Support Project) GEMS has issued notice that it is relocating its offices to: 2nd Floor, Ascot House, 24-31 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast BT2 7DB.  The relocation is effective from Monday 21st July 2008.  Telephone, Fax and e-mail contact details remain unchanged. To view/download relocation notice, please click here (.pdf format, 272 Kb.).

Friday 4th July 2008

Opportunities in Inbound Customer Service - Randstad Work Solutions is urgently looking for Inbound Customer Service personnel (this is not a sales job) who have full fluency in Danish, Dutch, Flemish, French, German, Norwegian, Swedish and Swiss German.
Candidates must have at least 6 months customer service experience, be proficient in IT and internet usage and available on a permanent basis. Prospective employees must also possess strong communication skills, both verbal and written, excellent interpersonal skills, be team players, have problem solving and trouble shooting skills and self motivation.
The start date is: Monday 21st July 2008.
For further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact: Áine Irvine, Senior Consultant - Contact Centre Solutions - Randstad Work Solutions, 33-35 Bradbury Place, Belfast. BT7 1RR; Phone: 028 9033 0035; e-mail: aine.irvine@uk.randstad.com.

Thursday 26th June 2008

Participation in Queen’s Medical School ‘Student selected component’ programme - (From the Belfast Interface Project) Queen’s Medical School would like to hear from organisations interested in participating in its ‘Student selected component’ programme.  The programme began in 1997, at the request of the General Medical Council, to enable medical students to acquire life skills within their training - in addition to the traditional theoretical knowledge and medical skills necessary for a doctor.  The General Medical Council felt that medical students needed to learn more about team work and good communication and to have the opportunity to spend time working in an area of particular interest to them.
Queen’s has set up the programme to offer a wide variety of opportunities to the students - from placements in clinical specialties, scientific and social science disciplines and industry, through to attachment to community disciplines.  For example, medical students can choose a placement in primary or special needs schools, learn sign language or improve a foreign language.  Queen’s Medical School would like to expand the number of placements in the community for its medical students to gain first hand experience of, and empathy with, social problems - so they can become better doctors, more able to serve the community.
The placements run for 3 week blocks, twice a year.  The next blocks are 1-19 September 2008 and 5-23 January 2009.
Any organisation interested in participating in the programme and wishing to know more should contact Sheena E. M. Lewis, Professor of Reproductive Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen's University of Belfast. Institute of Clinical Science, Grosvenor Road, Belfast, BT12 6BJ (Tel.: 028 9063 3987); e-mail: s.e.lewis@qub.ac.uk.

Tuesday 24th June 2008

An Evening With Debashish Bhattacharya - (From Ailis Corey) On Saturday 5th July 2008, Moving On Music will present an evening with Indian slide guitar genius Debashish Bhattacharya at the Sonic Lab - part of the Sonic Arts Research Centre at Queen’s University Belfast.
The recipient of the 2007 BBC Planet Award for World Music, Bhattacharya has been deemed a true musical phenomenon. His charisma as a master musician, composer, innovator, revolutionary thinker and guru has attracted a legion of devotees worldwide. 
Born to musician parents, Debashish Bhattacharya - a child prodigy - was initiated into Indian classical singing, but was drawn to the guitar because of the ability to emulate the human voice by using the slide. So when a slide guitar found its way into the highly musical Bhattacharya household, Debashish started to play it and, before long, mastered it.
As his musical career continued to develop, so, too, did Bhattacharya’s own style of slide guitar playing, leading him to create his own instruments.  A fascinating trio of slide guitars - the Chaturangui is a 24-string hollow neck guitar, the 14-string Gandharvi and the Anandi, a 4-string slide Ukulele.  All three inventions combine aspects of the western guitar with elements of the traditional Indian instrument and succeed in taking the slide guitar to new heights of musical prowess. These amazing instruments are, according to Bob Brozman, "the new arms and ammunitions to fight against ignorance".
Tickets at £10 (£7 concessionary) are available from the Belfast Welcome Centre 47 Donegall Place, Belfast, BT1 5AD (telephone: 028 9024 6609) or online at the Moving On Music website.

Monday 23rd June 2008

South Belfast Inclusion Festival,  June 2008 - (From Denise Wright, South Belfast Roundtable) The South Belfast Inclusion Festival is a month-long celebration of diversity - inclusive of all cultures and traditions - attracting contributions  and support from all facets of an emergent and evolving, all-embracing, Northern Ireland society.
Events include: World United Football Match - IFA, a friendly football match will bring together players from different cultural backgrounds; Multi cultural event - Donegall Pass Community Forum; Cinemagic Screening Programme - films from around the world, a series of films from around the world will be screened in local community venues; African food event - Finaghy community centre; Multi cultural storytelling day - Cranmore Integrated Primary School; Good Relations programme - Community Direct, a good relations programme will be delivered to a community group in South Belfast; Interfaith dialogue - what do the faiths say about hospitality.  This will bring together representatives from a range of faith backgrounds to share how their faith sees hospitality and the role of food - followed by discussions among audience/participants. Visits to worship centres will be arranged for interested participants; Launch of mural mosaics- Morton Community Centre After Schools Club.  Club members have produced murals on the theme of children and cultural diversity; Multi cultural Food Festival - LORAG;  World dance event - Markets Community Centre; World Sports event - Donegall Pass community centre; The Village Focus Group - A series of three one hour basic language lessons in Polish, Lithuanian and Slovakian; The Sandy Row Multicultural Evening; Multi cultural storytelling - Ormeau Library; Banners reflecting South Belfast Diversity - Egdehill College; Holyland Multi Cultural Street party - a street party to bring together local residents, students, members of the asylum seeking community and minority ethic communities living and working in South Belfast; Common Grounds "Beam me to Belfast" Photographic Exhibition from Botanic Primary School
For further information and/or if you require flyers, etc., please contact eitther Denise Wright, Race Relations Co-ordinator, Tel 028 9024 4070 (denise.wright@sbrtr.org.uk) or Henri Mohammed, Community Development Worker, Belfast City Council, Tel 028 9032 7661 (MohammedH@BelfastCity.gov.uk).  To download/view the calendar of events click here (Word .doc, 36 Kb.); to download/view the South Belfast Inclusion Festival Brochure, click here (.pdf format, 152 Kb.).

Monday 2nd June 2008

UPC Training Calendar, Summer 2008 - The Ulster People’s College has released details of its 2008 Summer Calendar.
UPC Programmes focus on community development to enable social and economic regeneration and on political development to enable real democracy and expression of citizenship.
The courses will normally be held at the UPC (1 Lower Crescent, Belfast) but, if there is substantial demand, the College will run additional courses in other locations. The courses are open to everyone and are delivered free of charge.

Course Descriptions:
Community Group Work Skills
This course aims to introduce participants to the principles of facilitation and to give them the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to effectively manage a group.
This course is accredited at OCN Level 2.

Dates Time 1 Friday 13, 20 & 27 June 10.00am – 4.00pm 2 Tuesday 22, 29 July; 5, 12, 19 & 26 August 6.30mp - 9.30pm

Introduction to Community Development
This course aims to introduce participants to the key skills and concepts of community development.
This course is accredited at OCN Level 1.

Dates Time Monday 30 June & Tuesday 1 July 10.00am – 4.00pm

Women and Leadership
A course offering women the opportunity to explore their own leadership potential and feel more confident about taking on leadership roles.  The course also aims to help women explore the balance of power in our society in relation to gender.
This course is accredited at OCN Level 2.

Dates Time Thursday 3 & Friday 4 July 10.00am – 4.00pm

Getting to Grips with the Media
This course provides participants with an understanding of how to develop an effective publicity strategy for an organisation.  It will enable participants to create publicity materials, write press releases and have a good understanding of key media outlets.
This course is accredited at OCN Level 2.

Dates Time 1 Wednesday 18 & 25 June 10.00am – 4.00pm 2 Thursday 14 & Friday 15 August 10.00am - 4.00pm

Introduction to Community Relations
This course is suitable for anyone interested in exploring key issues in relation to identity, belonging and division in Northern Ireland Society at an introductory level.

Dates Time Thursday 24, 31 July; 7, 14 August 6.30pm - 9.30pm

Understanding Community Relations
The course offers an opportunity to study key Community Relations themes such as the nature of divisions in our society.

Dates Time Wednesday 23, 30 July; 6, 13 August 6.30pm - 9.30pm

Women and Communication
This course is designed for women who want to explore what is meant by ‘communication’ and who would like to communicate more assertively.  It is a particularly useful course for those who wish to improve their confidence.
This course is accredited at OCN Level 2.

Dates Time Friday 1 & 8 August 10.00am - 4.00pm

Click here to view/download Course Application/Student Enrolment Form (completed forms to: Course Applications, Ulster People’s College, 1 Lower Crescent, Belfast, BT7 1NR.  Telephone: 028 9033 0131, Fax: 028 9024 1016. E-mail: info@upclearn.org). Alternatively, register ‘on line’ here: www.ulsterpeoplescollege.org.uk/course-booking/.   Places on each course are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Wednesday 28th May 2008

Sichuan Earthquake Appeal and Dragon Boat Race - (From Denise Wright, South Belfast Roundtable) All proceeds accruing from the Dragon Boat Race Festival - being held on Sunday 1st June 2008, 10:30am - 4:30 pm, at the Lagan Watersports Centre (2 Riversedge 13 Ravenhill Road) - will be donated to the Sichuan Earthquake Appeal in aid of the tens of thousands of victims of the devastation caused by the earthquake in South West China on Monday 12th May 2008.
To view/download the Chinese Welfare Association press release, please click here (Word .doc, 35Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 30.1Kb.); to view/download the Chinese Welfare Association statement on the Sichuan Earthquake Appeal and donation details, please click here (Word .doc, 233Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 397Kb.).  Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.
Other links:
Red Cross Society of China
British Red Cross
Mercy Corps
Oxfam
The resolve to donate all funds raised from the Dragon Boat Race Festival to the Sichuan Earthquake Appeal is an extra incentive to attend, and enjoy, the festival.  Everyone who can attend (and/or partake in the race) is urged to do so and to give as generously as they are able to help to alleviate suffering and show solidarity with the victims.  Anyone who is interested in taking part in the boat race should contact Eileen Chan-Hu or Sofia Botzios at the Chinese Welfare Association. Email: cro@cwa-ni.org or phone (028) 9028 8277

Friday 23rd May 2008

HBOS plc Inbound Sales Recruitment Day - HBOS plc, the banking and financial services company (which operates under some 40 brands, including ‘Sheila's Wheels’, ‘Halifax’, ‘Bank of Scotland’ and ‘eSure’) is holding an ‘Inbound Sales Recruitment Day’ at Conor Building Jobs & Benefits Office on Wednesday 28th May 2008, from 9am to 3pm.
The salary range on offer is £14,463 - £22,500 gross per annum (£278 per week approx to £432 per week approx.).
The company says it offers ‘Comprehensive training, support and development’; ‘Fun, team-based working environment’; ‘210 Hours Paid Holiday per annum (FT)’, etc. For details click here (Word .doc, 36.5Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 56.7Kb.).
Please contact Conor Building Jobs & Benefits Office on 028 9054 5418 to arrange a ‘time slot’ or call in to Conor Building on Wednesday 28th May, as above.  For other available jobs, click here.

Friday 16th May 2008

Residents’ Parking Action Group Delivers Letter to DRD - The Residents’ Parking Action Group (RPAG) - a cross-community steering group co-ordinating opposition to the current format of the Department of Regional Development’s proposed Residents’ Parking Scheme - today, handed a letter to a member of the Minister’s (Conor Murphy) staff. The areas represented by RPAG, viz., Barrack Street, Brown Square, Donegall Pass, the Markets and Sandy Row, while recognising the desirability - indeed necessity - of parking schemes in their respective areas are adamantly and resolutely opposed to the proposed imposition of financial penalties on residents, said to be necessary to finance the schemes.
The arrogant, dismissive attitude of the department, summed up by the phrase ‘there is no plan B’ (in other words, ‘like it or lump it’) - is not acceptable. A quick and cursory search of the Internet reveals many instances of councils in England running residents’ parking schemes on a free permit basis. The Minister has stated that provision for free parking schemes, as currently envisaged, was not made in the departmental budget - clear evidence of lack of foresight; the Assembly committee that has oversight responsibilities for the operation of DRD should be questioning its competence.
It is no less than a glaring injustice to expect affected residents to pay for the gross errors of others. The current commuter parking blight is directly attributable to the indifferent quality of the local public administration -  including absence of vision, bureaucratic ineptitude, complacency and lack of vigilance by our politicians, patently absurd (and unchallenged) planning decisions, the blatant shirking of responsibility and avoidance of accountability by over-reliance upon, and credulous acceptance of, consultants’ reports. Those who are responsible for the current state of affairs should, and must, pay.
To view/download the letter, click here (Word .doc, 25 Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 31.4 Kb.).
Roads Service links - www.residentsparking.com: Barrack Street; Brown’s Square; Donegall Pass; The Markets (West); Sandy Row.

Thursday 15th May 2008

Development Worker for Polish Association N.I. - (From Denise Wright, South Belfast Roundtable) The Polish Association Northern Ireland wishes to appoint a Development Worker to work in the community sector.  The salary will be in accordance with the NJC pay scale and the post is offered on a full-time basis for a fixed term of 12 months.
Further information and application forms may be obtained (with an A4 SAE) from The Polish Association N.I. office (every Saturday from 12 - 4pm. 129 Ormeau Road, Belfast) Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities (Mon - Frid 9am - 5pm. Ascot House 24-31 Shaftesbury Sq,, Belfast) or e-mail: info@polskibelfast.pl.
The closing date for applications is noon Tuesday 27th May 2008 and Interviews will be held on Thursday 5th June 2008.  PANI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  You may view/download the ‘Personnel Specification’ (extracted from the email circular) by clicking here (Word .doc, 22 Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 15.5 Kb.).

Monday 12th May 2008

Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Officer: Job Advertisement - (From Denise Wright, South Belfast Roundtable) The Centre for Global Education is inviting applications for the position of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Officer (£30,000 per annum, three years fixed term contract, full-time). This post has been established as part of a Centre for Global Education project supported by the Department for International Development (DFID - the British government department responsible for overseas aid and development education).  The main aim of the project is to create capacity in development education within the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) sector in Northern Ireland.
The project will be delivered in partnership with the BME sector and will strengthen the development education practice of BME organisations. More specifically, the project aims to support:

• the introduction of a new accredited training course in development education to BME workers;
• the provision of post-course mentoring to course participants;
• the organisation of an annual conference to support the sharing of good practice in development education by BME organisations;
• the development of a new web site that will support all aspects of project delivery.

The DFID initiative has been supported on the back of a project delivered by the Centre in 2007 involving research that aimed to identify the level of development education practice in the BME sector and the factors that impeded BME groups from delivering development education.  As part of the small project, the Centre organised a seminar on development education in the black and ethnic sector which concluded that a more sustained and integrated mechanism of support was needed for the sector that combined capacity-building with development education content and methodologies.

Essential Criteria:

• A working knowledge of the Black and Minority Ethnic sector in Northern Ireland;
• Experience in organising, promoting and delivering training workshops;
• Previous experience in project management and delivery;
• A proven knowledge or background in development education/international development issues;
• Experience in providing professional guidance and support to learners;
• Proven organisational and communication skills both oral and written;
• Computer skills commensurate with the production of reports and articles.

For an application pack contact: Information Officer, Centre for Global Education, 9 University Street, Belfast BT7 1FY. Tel: (028) 9024 1879; E-mail: info@centreforglobaleducation.com.
Applications must be returned, by post by: Tuesday, 3 June 2008 at 5.00pm
For further information on development education, visit:
Centre for Global Education; Global Dimension in Schools; Department for International Development; Development Education Association; ‘Global Dimension in the Black and Minority Ethnic Sector’.

Friday 9th May 2008

Dragon Boat Festival Race 1st June 2008 - (From Sofia Botzios, Community Relations Officer, Chinese Welfare Association)  The Chinese Welfare Association is organising the annual Chinese Dragon Boat Festival and everyone is invited to celebrate this festival in Belfast (twin city of Heifei province in China).
The festival will take place on Sunday 1st June  2008 at the Lagan Watersports Complex, 2 Rivers Edge, 13 Ravenhill Rd., Belfast. and features a Chinese Lion Dance (kicks off Festival at 10:30am), Dragon boat races, Fun for all the family, Chinese stalls and workshops, Chinese and Ethnic foods, Street Performers.  Full details of the event and how to enter a team are shown in the letter available to view/download by clicking here (Word .doc, 313Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 215Kb.)
Please e-mail Sofia at cro@cwa-ni.org to enter a team.  Telephone (028) 90288277.

Wednesday 7th May 2008

‘Young People & Policing’ Dialogue Event for Young Women - (From the Belfast Interface Project) Organised by Women Into Politics, a free ‘dialogue event’ for young women (aged 16-25 years) - entitled ‘Talking & Taking Part’ - has been arranged for Monday 12th May 2008, starting at 9:30am and scheduled to finish at 2:00pm.  The event will take place at the NICCY (Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People) offices - Millennium House, 17-25 Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7BA - and a free lunch will be provided.
Spaces are limited - and there is a maximum allocation of 4 persons per organisation, viz., 3 young people and 1 worker. (Additional reserve spaces can be requested on registration forms, and these will be allocated on a first come first served basis.)
Event speakers are: Jim Auld (CRJ), Stephen Lilley (PSNI), Koulla Yiasouma (Include Youth) and Debbie Watters (Shankill Alternatives)
Travel and dependent care subsidies are available. Anyone wishing to attend must register by 3.00pm on Thursday 8th May 2008.  For further information, please contact: Debbie Francey, Youth Project Co-ordinator or Deirdre McAliskey, Dialogue & Development Co-ordinator - at (028) 9024 3363 (respective e-mail addresses: youth@womenintopolitics.org and development@womenintopolitics.org).
Click here to download/view the registration form (Word .doc, 735Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 124Kb.).

Friday 2nd May 2008

Diversity & Ethnicity Course - (From Denise Wright, South Belfast Roundtable) The South Belfast Roundtable is running another Diversity and Ethnicity (formerly Race and Ethnicity) Course in The Ulster People’s College on Saturday 7th June 2008 and Saturday 14th June 2008 (10.0.0am - 4.00pm, both days). The training is free and available to everyone - however, all participants must attend and complete both days’ training. Lunch and refreshments will be provided, free of charge.
The course is OCN-accredited at Level 2 and total course duration is 12 hours. The Race & Ethnicity course is suitable for individuals, groups, service providers, employers and organisations from all sectors who are interested in diversity issues and a shared future.
The course covers/includes:

• What is meant by the terms 'race', 'racism' and 'ethnicity'
• Issues faced by both immigrants and host communities
• Understanding what is meant by terms such as 'refugee', 'asylum seeker' and 'migrant worker'
• The legal and policy framework within which race and diversity issues are addressed

The course aims to explore concepts of race and ethnicity to investigate current issues and implications for the future.
Assessment will be undertaken via a range of worksheets on relevant issues.
For more information or to register for the course, please contact:
Ulster People's College, 1 Lower Crescent, Belfast BT7 1NR - ‘Phone: 028 9033 0131; E-mail:  info@upclearn.org. Location Map

Thursday 1st May 2008

GEMS Recruiting Minority Ethnic Individuals Interested In Self-Employment - (From Denise Wright, South Belfast Roundtable)  GEMS NI is looking to recruit a group of minority ethnic individuals who are considering self-employment and/or would consider taking part in a pilot programme.
The programme is specifically for those whose first language is not English. Please click here (Word .doc, 37.5Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 39.7Kb.) to view/download further information.
Anyone interested should contact Shane at

GEMS NI Ltd
3rd Floor Fanum House
108-110 Great Victoria Street
Belfast
BT2 7AT

‘Phone: 028 9033 2313; 028 9032 9662

Wednesday 30th April 2008

Donegall Pass and The Markets Stage Joint Protest Over Unregulated Commuter Parking - Residents of the Markets and Donegall Pass areas of South Belfast, today, held a joint protest at the long-running problems of unregulated commuter parking that has afflicted both communities for many years.  Commuters, normally heedless of the inner-city residential environment and who, generally, display an arrogant and disdainful disregard for the human rights of local residents, were denied access for parking.
Residents of both communities are completely fed up with the growing number of health and safety-related incidents that are directly due to heavy commuter parking, such as,

• Disabled access ‘dropped kerbs’ being blocked
• Footpaths being inaccessible to pedestrians - including those with disabilities, senior citizens, persons with prams and young children
• Residents’ driveways being blocked
• Access denied to essential and emergency services
• Danger to drivers and pedestrians caused by obstructed vision at junctions.

In Donegall Pass, residents have lost a Translink Busy Bus service - because of congestion caused by commuter parking; the Markets residents cannot have their waste bins emptied due to the same reason. Enough is enough!  Link to BBC News item.

Thursday 24th April 2008

Institute for Conflict Research Administrative and Information Assistant Vacancy - (From the Belfast Interface Project) The Institute for Conflict Research has a vacancy for an Administrative and Information Assistant. The closing date for applications is Friday 9th May 2008 and it is currently intended that interviews will take place on Wednesday 21st May 2008.  For further information, contact Sylvia Anderson, ICR, Unit 14 North City Business Centre, 2 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, BT15 2GG - Telephone: 028 9074 2682; e-mail: info@conflictresearch.org.uk.  Click here to view/download job advertisement details (.pdf format, 69.2Kb.); click here to download/view the Job Description and Person Specification (.pdf format, 94.5Kb.); click here to download/view the application Form (.pdf format, 111Kb.).

Thursday 24th April 2008

Donegall Pass Residents Consider Action on Commuter Parking - At a packed meeting, on the evening of Wednesday 23rd April 2008, angry and concerned residents of Donegall Pass expressed disgust and outrage at the arrogant and complacent attitude of the Department for Regional Development (DRD), under Conor Murphy, when, in relation to its proposed hare-brained implementation of a Residents’ Parking Scheme, it stated that ‘there is no Plan B’. In other words affected residents can ‘like it or lump it’.
The perceived stance of the department would appear to be that while our local administration is apparently either not prepared to, or incapable of, properly and rigorously enforcing parking laws and regulations - this department is quite prepared to impose an annual charge on residents for the ‘privilege’ of parking outside their own homes.  To add insult to injury, residents are not guaranteed a right to park outside, or even near, their own homes - merely the ‘right’ to park within the designated boundaries of the imposed ‘scheme’.
That’s not all.  Incredibly, beleaguered residents, under this lunatic scheme, will have to pay for the ‘privilege’ of receiving visitors. The ‘Residents’ Parking Schemes - Draft Policy’ at 1.13.1 (Page 9) states: “Visitors’ permits for a four-hour maximum period may be purchased in the form of one-off-use permits.  Initially, a maximum of 25 permits will be available per residence per quarter year, though this may be reviewed in the light of operational experience.” (Click here to view/download this Kafkaesque drivel or go to the Documents page.)
You couldn’t make it up! No wonder, then, that the Lower Ormeau Residents Action Group rejected the proposal outright.
In a recent survey, conducted by Donegall Pass Community Forum, respondents resoundingly rejected the proposed scheme - to the tune of 100%.  When it was mentioned at Wednesday night’s meeting that Mr Murphy had graciously condescended to halve the proposed annual charge to £40 for residents living in areas suffering from deprivation - this was greeted with derision as being completely beside the point. It would be interesting to learn whether or not Mr Murphy or his civil servant higher échelon apparatchiks pay to park in their areas of residence (given their swollen salaries and expense accounts it would hardly represent a burden to them).
DRD has stated that it has no ‘Plan B’.  It has to be asked why not? No imagination, perhaps? Not enough talent or intelligence? Too lazy?  Can’t be bothered?
Here’s an extract from an e-mail to the Forum from a Donegall Pass resident: “to solve the parking problem, put... signs at the entrances of all side roads going through Donegal Pass area saying: “RESIDENT PARKING ONLY IN THIS AREA” and issue... a permit to display on our wind screen as residents. If you do not have a permit, you can not park as the car will be ticketed or taken away.  And you pay a large fine to get it back.” Simple really.
If there is no legislation in place to effect a simple, logical solution - such as that advanced above - then, perhaps our esteemed MLAs (and, in particular those who garner votes from deprived areas) should actually do something and pass the necessary enabling legislation. What, for heaven’s sake, have they been doing since 8th May 2007 - twiddling their well-manicured thumbs?
Donegall Pass, in common with other inner-city communities, is suffering from high commuter parking stress - caused by a catalogue of short-sighted planning blunders. It is up to the incompetents responsible for this mess to put it right - rather quickly please.  Just don’t expect impoverished inner-city residents to pay for it.
Sadly, Donegall Pass residents know, full well, that their opinions will be ignored. A perfunctory survey is currently being carried out by DRD - the questionnaire, as expected, written in such a way as to elicit a response as favourable to the proposed scheme as possible.  This will be portrayed, no doubt, as fully ‘consulting with communities’. Residents have been contacting the Forum to express their extreme irritation at the questionnaire’s format - people are not so gullible as the department seems to think or, perhaps, hopes.
In any event, the meeting resolved to take resolute community action.  So, watch this space.

Wednesday 23rd April 2008

UPC e-News: April 2008 - (From/compiled by Clare Oliver, Marketing Officer, UPC) The following information has been extracted from UPC e-News (April edition).  To subscribe to UPC e-News, send an email to enews@upclearn.org.
“A Shared Future or a Better Future?”
The UPC is running a seminar entitled “A Shared Future or a Better Future?” as part of Community Relations Week. The seminar will take place on Wednesday 30 April, 2.30pm – 4.30pm at the UPC, 1 Lower Crescent, Belfast.  Everyone is welcome to attend.
This seminar provides the opportunity to discuss the uncertainty of the status of the ‘A Shared Future’ policy and will be followed by an exhibition and reception. To find out more or to register contact the College on (028) 9033 0131 or email info@upclearn.org.
New Training Calendar
The UPC has released a new training calendar.  A range of free courses is on offer including Developing Facilitation Skills, Diversity & Ethnicity, and Communication, Assertiveness & Negotiation. Click here or visit the website for further information and to register.
New Training Calendar
The Ulster People’s College is currently recruiting for part time adult education tutors for a range of areas including community leadership, facilitation skills, media skills, race and ethnicity and women and leadership.  Click here to find out more.
Arranging a course
If you are interested in arranging a course for a group please contact the UPC on (028) 9033 0131 (or email info@upclearn.org) to speak to member of staff about suitable courses.

Wednesday 23rd April 2008

Assistant Play Worker Vacancies in LORAG - (From Stephen Atkinson, GEMS NI)  LORAG is seeking to appoint two (2) Part-Time Assistant Play Workers to work Monday to Sunday for 20 hours per week (regular hours to be agreed). Pay rates are fixed at £6.22 per hour and the positions are based in Shaftesbury Community and Recreation Centre, Balfour Avenue, Belfast
For further information and an Application Pack, please call into the Shaftesbury Community and Recreation Centre, telephone: 028 90 312 377 or e-mail:  mhassan@lorag.org.  Please note that completed application forms must be received no later than 12.00 noon Monday 12th May 2008.  Click here to view/download the information poster (Word.doc, 54.5Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 53.7Kb.)

Wednesday 23rd April 2008

Rates Relief to Elderly Stifled by Bureaucracy - (From BBC News - Northern Ireland) Sinn Féin MLA Jennifer McCann said rates relief payments were being tangled up in red tape and bureaucracy. The West Belfast representative said that while 40,000 low income householders in NI are entitled to rebates, only 19,000 had received them (equates to 52.5% of pensioners not receiving the rebates to which they are entitled). Click here to read more.

Tuesday 22nd April 2008

Ulster People’s College Training Calendar (April-June 2008) - The Ulster People’s College has released details of its 2008 Spring Calendar.
UPC Programmes focus on community development to enable social and economic regeneration and on political development to enable real democracy and expression of citizenship.
The courses will normally be held at the UPC (1 Lower Crescent, Belfast) but, if there is substantial demand, the College will run additional courses in other locations. The courses are open to everyone and are delivered free of charge.

Course Descriptions:
Developing Facilitation Skills
This course aims to introduce participants to the principles of facilitation and to give them the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to effectively manage a group.
This course is accredited at OCN Level 2.

Dates Time Tuesday 13, 20 & 27 May; 3, 10 & 17 June 7.00pm – 9.00pm

Introduction to Community Development
This course aims to introduce participants to the key skills and concepts of community development.
This course is accredited at OCN Level 1.

Dates Time Saturday 10 & 17 May 10.00am – 4.00pm

Diversity and Ethnicity
This course explores the implications of living in an increasingly multi-cultural society. The course is suitable for anyone with an interest in diversity issues and a shared future.
This course is accredited at OCN Level 2.

Dates Time Saturday 7 & 14 June 10.00am – 4.00pm

Understanding Community Relations
This course offers an opportunity to study key Community Relations themes - such as the nature of divisions in our society and ‘telling your story’.

Dates Time Saturday 26 April & 3 May 10.00am – 4.00pm

Communication, Assertiveness & Negotiation
A course designed for those who want to explore what is meant by ‘communication’ and who would like to communicate more assertively.  It is a particularly useful course for those who wish to improve their confidence.
This course is accredited at OCN Level 2.

Dates Time Thursday 12 & Friday 13 June 10.00am – 4.00pm

Click here to view/download Course Application/Student Enrolment Form (completed forms to: Course Applications, Ulster People’s College, 1 Lower Crescent, Belfast, BT7 1NR.  Telephone: 028 9033 0131, Fax: 028 9024 1016. E-mail: info@upclearn.org). Alternatively, register ‘on line’ here: www.ulsterpeoplescollege.org.uk/course-booking/.   Places on each course are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Monday 21st April 2008

Pom Pom for Peace Tour August 2008 - (From the Belfast Interface Project)  From the 25th – 31st August 2008, Pom Pom International is hoping to organise a Pom Pom for Peace Tour in areas of cultural divide in Northern Ireland - with a one-day-stop in each county.
Organised by Pom Pom International and Neck of the Woods, the group will be using very non political crafts and neutral portable dwellings (yurts) to carry out this tour.  The organisers are looking for any cultural, interface or similar organisations to assist them in sourcing a location for their pom pom yurt stop!
This will be a FREE event and the organisers are seeking their own funding for this tour and are not looking for any financial assistance at all from community organisations. They simply want to add value to the good work that is already being done in local neighbourhoods and would welcome the opportunity to become involved in any summer activities planned for the tour period.
Pom Pom International (PPI) is a creative concept that aims to encourage peace and promote social understanding across the world through pompom making.  For further information please visit www.pompominternational.com.  If you want to know more or are interested in the tour coming to an area near you, please contact Natalie Irvine on 07922 275827 (e-mail: natalieirvine@hotmail.com). Click here to view/download the flyer (.pdf format, 1.53Mb.).

Wednesday 16th April 2008

English Classes for Chinese - (From Sofia Botzios, Community Relations Officer, Chinese Welfare Association)  “English Classes for Chinese” are soon to start at the Mandarin Speakers’ Association, 9 Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AF (opposite the Ulster Museum in the Botanic Gardens).
There will be ten (10) classes in total, starting Monday 21st April 2008 and finishing on Tuesday 20th May 2008 - classes are being held each week on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The services of a very experienced Mandarin-speaking Chinese tutor have been engaged. The tutor’s skills will greatly benefit all native Chinese speakers (Mandarin or Cantonese).
The fee per person is only £10 in total. For further information, please contact Chun-ai Jin (Jean), Project Co-ordinator, Project of Women's Group, Mandarin Speakers Association, 9 Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5AF; Phone/Fax: (028) 9068 7793; Email: msa@mandarinspeakers.org.  Click here to view/download the flyer (Word .doc, 37.5Kb.).

Monday 14th April 2008

Opportunities To Work In The Northern Ireland Civil Service - The Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS), in partnership with HRConnect, is launching campaigns to appoint ‘Temporary Administrative Assistants’ (TAA) and ‘Temporary Support Grade Band 2s’ (TSGB2).
No formal qualifications are required - all who apply, however, will be invited to attend an aptitude test. NICS is keen to attract applications that are as representative of communities as possible. All applications will be considered strictly on the basis of merit.  The vacancies are available throughout Northern Ireland.
Briefly, temporary support staff will be mainly required to carry out messenger duties and temporary administrative assistants will be required to work in various government offices.
Applications will be available from www.nicsrecruitment.gov.uk, or through Jobscentre networks, from week beginning Monday 28th April 2008.  The closing date for this specific recruitment process is Friday 27th March 2009.

Tuesday 8th April 2008

Supporting Immigrant Parents, Best Practice and Lessons from Research - (From Denise Wright, South Belfast Roundtable)  A conference, themed ‘'Supporting Immigrant Parents, Best Practice and Lessons from Research’ and hosted by the All Ireland Programme for Immigrant Parents, is being held in the Cavan Crystal Hotel on Tuesday/Wednesday 20th/21st May 2008.
The conference is aimed at policy makers, service managers and practitioners, working in a range of areas, including integration, health promotion, family support, cultural diversity, immigration support, childcare, social services, and education, with new communities and minority ethnic families throughout the island of Ireland.
The conference will be officially opened on Tuesday 20th by Minister for Children, Brendan Smith - followed by an evening reception with light buffet and entertainment.  Keynote Speaker: Dr. Fatima Husain (Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion, London).  Other confirmed speakers include: Norbert Marjolin, NSPCC; Patrice Lawrence, National Children's Bureau, UK; Frances Byrne, OPEN.
For further information, please contact: Fiona Dwyer, Programme Co-ordinator and Research Officer, All Ireland Programme for Immigrant Parents, Leanbh, ISPCC, 30 Lower Baggot St, Dublin 2; Phone: 353 1 6767960; Email: FDwyer@ispcc.ie.
Click here to view/download the conference invitation (.pdf format, 1.33 Mb.). Click here (Word .doc, 43 Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 12 Kb.) to view/download the conference schedule and accommodation details

Tuesday 8th April 2008

CWA Community Relations Week Event - (From Sofia Botzios, Community Relations Officer, Chinese Welfare Association)  As part of Community Relations Week, the CWA will be holding an event in the Linenhall Library, 17 Donegall Square North, Belfast BT1 5GB on Thursday 1st May 2008 at 7.30pm.  Everyone is welcome and invited to come and listen to the stories of 5 remarkable people from the Chinese community about their lives and experiences in Northern Ireland - and the influences that made them who they are today.
The scheduled speakers are: Anna Lo (MLA), Eileen Chan-Hu (Chief Executive Chinese Welfare Association), Karen Scrivens (Comunity Relations Officer, Sai Pak, Derry), Alan Lu (founder of Success Dragon and Lion Dance Association) and Jimmy Law (PSNI officer).
The event will be followed by an informal discussion involving the audience.
For further information please contact Sofia at the Chinese Welfare Association: e-mail cro@cwa-ni.org or phone 028 90288277. Click here to view/download event information poster (Word .doc, 296 kb.) or here (.pdf format, 155 kb.).

Wednesday 2nd April 2008

South Belfast Festival of Inclusion and Diversity - (From Denise Wright, South Belfast Roundtable)  The South Belfast Roundtable is developing plans for a South Belfast-wide community relations festival during June 2008.  This will take the form of a number of events hosted by South Belfast organisations, as well as local businesses, which will conclude, it is hoped, with a joint celebration of diversity.
The events will be linked by the themes of inclusion, diversity, respect and understanding.  Individual organisations are being asked to submit their ideas for local events for festival co-ordination -  and compilation for a booklet of events
Where groups would like help to access funding the Roundtable will collate the ideas and assemble a funding application.
It would be very helpful if Roundtable members would return the event planning template to inform the co-ordinators if you plan to be involved. Click here to view/download the planning template (Word .doc, 27 Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 10 Kb.).  If you would like the organisers to apply for funding for your event please send this within the next week.
The organisers wish to stress that nothing is too small to be included.  If you would like help to deliver any training please let them know and they will try to provide whatever is needed. It is, however, recognised that many groups can access their own funding and will already have initiatives that they can include and showcase as part of the festival
If you have any questions, or require more information, please contact:
Denise Wright
South Belfast Partnership Board
23 University Street
Belfast. BT7 1FY
Phone 028 9024 4070; e-mail denise.wright@sbrtr.org.uk
or
Henri Mohammed
Donegall Pass Community Centre
25 Apsley Street
Belfast. BT7 1BL
Phone 028 9037 7661; e-mail mohammedh@belfastcity.gov.uk
Click here to download/view covering letter (Word .doc, 27Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 17.1Kb.).

Monday 31st March 2008

Equality Commission: 'Promoting Good Relations - A Summary Guide’ - (From Denise Wright, South Belfast Roundtable) [Quote] The Equality Commission has produced 'Promoting Good Relations - A Summary Guide for Public Authorities', which gives a summary of the good practice recommendations highlighted in the Commission's Good Relations Guide for public authorities. The Good Relations Guide sets out in detail how public authorities can proactively address their good relations duty under Section 75(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. [End quote]
Click here to view/download the ‘Summary Guide’ (.pdf format, 1.83 Mb.).
Copies of the summary guide, can be obtained by contacting Edith Mackey, Administrative Officer, Policy & Development Division, tel: 02890 500 690 or e-mail emackey@equalityni.org

Monday 31st March 2008

UPC People’s History Initiative/QUB School of Education April Lectures - (From Karen McCartney, Ulster People’s College)  Under the auspices of the Ulster People’s College’s People’s History Initiative and the School of Education, Queen’s University of Belfast, two lectures, entitled “The Socialist And Trade Union Traditions In Ireland” and “Civil Rights In Northern Ireland” - delivered, respectively, by Professor Paul Bew, Queen’s University Belfast and Dr Eamon Phoenix, historian, journalist and lecturer - will be held in the Canada Rooms in Queen’s University’s Lanyon Building.  Professor Bew’s lecture on ‘Socialist And Trade Union Traditions’ will commence at 10.15am on Monday 7th April 2008 and Dr Phoenix’s lecture on ‘Civil Rights’ will commence at 3.00pm on Monday 21st April 2008.
Entering via the Lanyon Building’s main entrance, the Canada Room is to the left and will be signposted.  It’s on the first floor – there’s a staircase and a lift. The lift is inside the Welcome Centre which is also on the left.
The number of places is limited. Please contact Karen McCartney at 028 9033 0131 or email kmccartney@upclearn.org. For the first lecture, you should confirm your attendance by Friday 4th April 2008. For the second lecture, you should confirm your attendance by Friday 18th April 2008.

Friday 21st March 2008

Race and Ethnicity Course - (From Denise Wright, South Belfast Roundtable) The South Belfast Roundtable is running the Race and Ethnicity Course in The Ulster People’s College on Saturday 5th April 2008 and Saturday 19th April 2008 (10.0.0am - 4.00pm, both days). The training is free and available to everyone - however, all participants must attend and complete both days’ training.  Lunch and refreshments will be provided, free of charge.
The course is OCN-accredited at Level 2 and total course duration is 12 hours.  The Race & Ethnicity course is suitable for individuals, groups, service providers, employers and organisations from all sectors who are interested in diversity issues and a shared future.
The course covers/includes:

• What is meant by the terms 'race', 'racism' and 'ethnicity'
• Issues faced by both immigrants and host communities
• Understanding what is meant by terms such as 'refugee', 'asylum seeker' and 'migrant worker'
• The legal and policy framework within which race and diversity issues are addressed

The course aims to explore concepts of race and ethnicity to investigate current issues and implications for the future.
Assessment will be undertaken via a range of worksheets on relevant issues.
For more information or to register for the course, please contact:
Denise Wright, Race Relations Co-ordinator, South Belfast Partnership, 23 University Street, BT7 1FY; phone (028) 9024 4070; fax (028) 9024 5565; email: denise.wright@sbrtr.org.uk

Friday 21st March 2008

Racism: Moving Beyond Denial? - (From Denise Wright, South Belfast Roundtable) A major conference examining the present acknowledgement of racism, its manifestations and what should be done to tackle it will be held on Wednesday 30 April 2008 in Dungannon Campus: South West (nee East Tyrone) College.
Until relatively recently there was still a level of popular denial that racism was a problem. The well publicised incidents of racist violence across Northern Ireland in recent years have largely ended this perception.  This in itself does not highlight the range of other forms racism can take.  There remains considerable discussion and varied perspectives on what the scope, form and manifestations racism takes are, and crucially what should be done to tackle them.
The conference aims to provide keynote independent perspectives on contemporary racism and engagement with Northern Irelands’ main political parties as to strategic direction in addressing racism.  Through afternoon workshops further discussion will be facilitated on the topics of: models for the public sector, racism in the workplace, racism faced by Travellers and on the role of the Assembly. A spokesperson from OFMDFM will provide government input.
The conference is specifically targeted all persons with an interest in this area of work in all sectors including local government, community and voluntary sector NGOs, statutory agencies, Trade Unions, government departments, researchers and others with an interest in anti-racism.  For further information contact: ligia.parizzi@dungannon.gov.uk or phone (028) 8772 8603.  Click here to view/download conference invitation/details (.pdf format, 415 Kb. ); click here to view/download conference registration form (Word .doc, 38.5 Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 24.6 Kb.); click here to view/download conference speakers’ details (Word .doc, 274 Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 124 Kb.).

Thursday 20th March 2008

Information Event for Migrant Communities - (From Denise Wright, South Belfast Roundtable) Wieczorek informacyjny dla pracowników migracyjnych. Informacinis vakaras darbininkams migrantams. Informačný večer pre migrujúcich robotníkov. As part of Intercultural Week and the year of Intercultural Dialogue, Belfast City Council, Irish Congress of Trade Unions and South Belfast Roundtable are organising an Information Event for Migrant Communities. Venue: St. George’s Market, Wednesday 9th April 2008, 5.30pm - 9.00pm.
Key partners across the city will be available to offer advice and information on services within Belfast; interpreters will be available in Polish, Lithuanian and Slovakian.  For more information contact the Good Relations Unit, Belfast City Council 9027 0663.
Click here to view/download event multi-language leaflet (.pdf format, 860 Kb.)

Wednesday 19th March 2008

Cultural Diversity Training - Holywood Family Trust has organised a three part series of interactive workshops designed to explore issues such as prejudice, differing world-views and how language and values shape cultures and influence groups.
The classes will be held in the Community & Family Centre, 108 High Street, Holywood on Tuesday nights at 7pm on 1st, 8th and 15th April 2008.
The course is being sponsored by North Down Borough Council’s Good Relations Strategy and Programme. The course will help people understand themselves as well as realising why other people are the way they are. “It will be a fun-filled learning experience for those who attend.”
Click here to download/view information (Word .doc, 771 Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 488 Kb.).
For further information, phone: 9042 7842 (Paul Betts) or e-mail: holywoodft@btconnect.com.

Wednesday 12th March 2008

Shared Future of Race Relations Conference - (From the Belfast Interface Project) A conference, hosted by the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities, entitled ‘A Shared future of Race Relations: From Europe to Northern Ireland Conference on European Integration Policy and Practice’ is being held at the Wellington Park Hotel in Belfast on 8th and 9th May 2008.  Extract from covering letter (from Helena Macormac - Project Officer, from Europe to Northern Ireland):
“The conference marks the close of a year long Province wide project entitled “A Shared Future of Race Relations: From Europe to Northern Ireland”.  Through a training programme and a series of events the project has informed and shaped how Northern Ireland has adapted to its changing demographics.  At the heart of the project has been the development of strategies on integration and good race relations that promote equality and respect diversity. On the basis of local expertise and training tools developed at the European level, the project has enabled the development of networks of co-operation across all communities in Northern Ireland.
This conference will specifically bring a variety of expertise and experience on European and local Integration policy and practice from a diverse variety of sources, including European agencies and local government as well as grassroots organisations in order to present and discuss different models and methods and share in examples of good and bad practice.”
The event is financed through the Peace II Programme implemented by the Community Relations Council and is free of charge. Click here to view/download the programme (.pdf format, 153 Kb.); click here to download/view registration form (.pdf format, 11.4 Kb.) or here (Word .doc format, 25 Kb.).

Wednesday 5th March 2008

ESOL Language Programme, Basic Level - Donegall Pass Community Forum (DPCF), in partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College, has been awarded funding from the Department for Social Development (BRO South & East Team) to deliver a 16-week English for Speakers of Other Languages basic level course - commencing at the beginning of April 2008. The course is aimed at immigrants who are unable to communicate using English and is entirely free to qualifying participants.
The Inner South Belfast Neighbourhood Partnership, supported under the Department for Social Development’s Neighbourhood Renewal policy and working with the Belfast Regeneration Office’s South & East Team, has determined that a number of ‘early wins’ initiatives/projects should be implemented and, accordingly, the three partnership communities, represented by DPCF, LORAG and MDA, were enjoined to apply for funding to underwrite identified ‘early wins’ projects consonant with the Partnership’s agreed Action Plan.
DPCF’s ESOL Basic (Entry 1) course, aimed specifically at migrant workers (16 years old +, male or female) will incorporate tasks in each of the four skills areas of Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing.  The projected outputs are: Learning English as a second language; Social cohesion and inclusion; Increased employability; More understanding between ‘newcomers’ and local communities; Self-confidence to progress to vocational courses or for more advanced courses in English; the Promotion of Network Capacity building between local groups and migrants.
The Programme will be delivered over a period of 16 weeks - each weekly session lasting 2 hours - and will include individual assessments and examinations.  As part of the course’s desired outcomes, participants, through the Forum’s partnership with GEMS NI, will be directed to the Language for Work programme (Minority Ethnic Employability Support Project) for further support in accessing employment and training opportunities.  The course will be delivered in DPCF’s premises (3rd Floor, Grove House, 145-149 Donegall Pass, Belfast.  BT7 1DT)
Numbers are limited to circa 16 participants and interested parties are urged to apply for places as soon as possible, to avoid disappointment.  To register or if you have any questions, please contact Ken Orr at 028 9032 6256 or email: kenorr@donegallpass.org.  Click here to download/view A4 poster (.pdf format, 1.66 Mb.)

Tuesday 4th March 2008

Peace Building in Interface Communities Course - (From the Belfast Interface Project) A ‘Peace Building In Interface Communities’ course will commence on Thursday 20th March 2008 in the Intercomm Peace Building Centre, 290 Antrim Road, Belfast.
The 10-week course, accredited by Queen’s University Belfast, will focus on: ‘Conflict Issues in a Divided Society’; ‘Grassroots Peace Building in Interface Communities’; ‘Influencing Processes of Local Government’; ‘Leadership Skills and Peace Building Models’.
Each session will begin at 10.00 am and end at 1.00 pm.  The course has been designed to assist CEP staff and member groups develop local capacity building skills with residents and community groups in cross-interface areas.  For an application form please contact Seán Brennan at leadershipcep@intercommbelfast.com (‘phone 028 9035 2165).
Please note that Numbers are limited and bursaries will be provided for CEP staff, North Belfast residents and local community workers.
Click on the graphic (above right) to view/download the brochure.

Monday 3rd March 2008

South Belfast Partnership Has Moved - The South Belfast Partnership has moved premises (the process having started on Friday 29th February).  The new address is:

23 University Street
Belfast
BT7 1FY

We are advised that those wishing to contact the Partnership should phone 07505 528893 until further notice.

Thursday 28th February 2008

Ladino (Spanish-Jewish) Concert - (From Denise Wright, South Belfast Roundtable)  a concert of Ladino (Spanish Jewish) music, being promoted by the Belfast Jewish community, will be held at the Synagogue, Somerton Road, Belfast on Sunday 9th March 2008 at 8.00pm.
The Ladino musical tradition is over 500 years old and uniquely combines Jewish, Christian and Muslim influences from around the Mediterranean world. The band, London-based Los Desterrados (‘The Exiles’) brings a contemporary edge to the music of the Spanish Jews and is a significant force in world music.
A review, quoted on the group’s website (www.losdesterrados.com) says, “(Los Desterrados) take the medieval music of the Sephardic Jews, with its strong Latin influences, and drag it effortlessly into the 21st century with lashings of Spanish folk and Balkan soul to deliver a series of rousing, melancholic songs that pulse with rhythm and feeling.”
The concert is open to all and is being supported by Belfast City Council Good Relations Unit. There is a charge of £5 payable at the door. For further information e-mail: ladinobelfast@yahoo.com

Tuesday 26th February 2008

Minister for Social Development: Ministerial Statement, ‘Outcome of Affordablity Review’ - Donegall Pass Community Forum warmly welcomes Margaret Ritchie’s Ministerial Statement to the Assembly and, in particular, congratulates her for her recognition that “housing in the Village area is simply not fit for purpose” and her announcement that she has allocated a new amount of £7 million “so that work can start in the Village immediately”.  The area is being declared as an ‘urban renewal area’ and the Minister indicated that an investment of circa £100 million will be triggered for the area.  (Click here for relevant extract from NI Assembly report - pop-up window.)
The Forum also strongly commends the Minister’s stated intention to implement a policy introducing a ‘developer contribution’ - heretofore instigated almost everywhere except Northern Ireland - to affordable social housing.  This is a long-overdue brake on the spectacle of rapacious carpet-bagging that has been happening in full view of deprived inner city areas for far too long with the full knowledge of a pathetically supine, virtually useless, planning service that makes no attempt to enforce even existing legislation.  The Forum hopes that a rigorous review and ‘root and branch’ reform of this ‘languid’ agency will be undertaken urgently. Assembly: Official Report 26 February 2008.

Wednesday 20th February 2008

Donegall Pass Community Forum Annual General Meeting - Donegall Pass Community Forum (DPCF) held its Annual General Meeting, this evening, at 7.00pm in the Donegall Pass Community Centre, Apsley Street. In addition to members of the local community and representatives of partner and funding organisations, Cllr Pat McCarthy and the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Michael McGimpsey, MLA, were in attendance.
Forum Development Manager, Elaine Mansfield, said, “It was very gratifying to have such a good turn out - with well over forty people in attendance - especially with the competition of European football on television!”
Elaine had put together a comprehensive annual report outlining the work of DPCF in the period since the previous AGM (November 2006) and, as a complement to her hard work, an overview of regenerative matters, followed by reference to other issues through the medium of an introduction of DPCF’s website, was delivered by Jim McKinley and Ken Orr respectively.
The event was further enhanced by being able to host exhibitions of the ‘Shared History’ project, the ‘Pass In View’ project and the work of Highway To Health’s Health development Worker, Leeanne Mills. The successful evening was rounded off by the provision of food (prepared by Forum staff) and welcome refreshments. View/download Report here (2.92 Mb, .pdf format).

Wednesday 20th February 2008

Lecture on Partition by Dr Eamon Phoenix - (From Karen M^cCartney, Lecturer Adult and Community Education, the Ulster People’s College) The Ulster People’s College’s People’s History Initiative and the School of Education, Queen’s University of Belfast, have issued invitations to attend a lecture on ‘Steps to Partition: From Home Rule to a Divided Ireland, 1900-25’ by Dr. Eamon Phoenix - historian, journalist and lecturer.
The lecture will be delivered on Thursday 6th March at 10.15am in the Canada Room, Queen’s University.  The Canada Room is in the Lanyon Building of Queen’s University. (Enter via Queen’s main front entrance - the Canada Room is to the left and will be signposted.  It’s on the first floor – there’s a staircase and a lift. The lift is inside the Welcome Centre which is also on the left.) Refreshments will be served after the lecture. The event should be finished by 1.00pm. If you have any questions - ring Karen McCartney on 028 9033 0131 or email kmccartney@upclearn.org.
Places are limited, so please contact the UPC on 02890 330131 and leave your name and your number or email Karen at kmccartney@upclearn.org to book your place - by Friday 29th February 2008 at the latest.  View/download information by clicking here (Word .doc, 62.5 Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 58.3 Kb.).

Friday 15th February 2008

Transition Training Free Courses - Under the New Deal programme, Transition Training is offering young unemployed men and women free training in ‘Web Design & Multimedia’ (Level 2 City & Guilds) and ‘System Support’ (Level 2 City & Guilds).
Also on offer for free is the 12-week Timewarp course for young people aged 11-18 - in the Greater Belfast area (other areas available on request). Timewarp is described as “an interactive trip into the real history of our country and how each community has played a part in shaping our future”. Free trips to participants’ choices of historical sites are available and all participants may have a personal website designed by professionals - free!
For the Level 2 Transition Training courses contact Pete McHugh at (028) 9033 1504 or email: petemchugh@transitiontraining.org
Click here (Word.docx, 127 Kb.) to view/download System Support course poster or here (.pdf format, 504 Kb.); click here (Word.docx, 143 Kb.) to view/download Web Design & Multimedia course poster or here (.pdf format, 516 Kb.); click here (.jpg, 440 Kb.) to view/download Timewarp poster; click here (.jpg, 362 Kb.) to view/download Timewarp trifold leaflet (1); click here (.jpg, 322 Kb.) to view/download Timewarp trifold leaflet (2).

Tuesday 12th February 2008

Suffolk & Lenadoon Interface Group, Job Advertisement - The Suffolk and Lenadoon Interface Group (SLIG) - ‘A shared future project in Action’ - brings together representatives from both communities on opposite sides of the Stewartstown Road interface on the outskirts of West Belfast.
It has received support from the Atlantic Philanthropies Trust to help implement the Suffolk Lenadoon Peace Building Plan and it is now seeking to recruit for the following post:
Operations Manager (initially, an 18 month contract to September 2009) who will report to the SLIG Management Committee. Salary: NJC Scale PO2 - 37 hours.
For an application pack, apply in writing only to: Laura Brown, Suffolk Lenadoon Interface Group, c/o Community Office No 1, 124 Stewartstown Road, Belfast BT11 9JQ.  Completed applications must be received by 2.00pm on Friday 29th February 2008.
For further details click here (Word .doc, 31 Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 14.4 Kb.).

Tuesday 12th February 2008

South Belfast Roundtable Training Programme to May 08 - (From Denise Wright, South Belfast Roundtable) The South Belfast Roundtable has completed the scheduling of its Training Programme from now to May 2008. Click on the Roundtable logo to download/view the programme flier or click here (Word .doc, 472 Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 739 Kb.).

• MARCH Raising Awareness
  Thurs 13th, 9-1pm: A ½ day workshop developed by NCCRI delivering an anti-racism and intercultural awareness programme.
• APRIL Race and Ethnicity
  Sat 5rd & 19th: A two-day OCN-accredited course from The Ulster Peoples College looking at the origins of the notion of race, questions such as why are there refugees and asylum-seekers, what is an economic migrant and what are the issues for ‘newcomers’ as well as ‘host communities’?
• MAY Ending Hate in our Communities
  Wed 7th, 9-1pm: A ½ day workshop designed by The Centre for Prevention of Hate Crime and delivered by SBR member organisations, which aims to give participants an understanding of the extent of bias, harassment and hate crimes in their community, the impact of bias and harassment on those targeted and practical skills for response and prevention.

For further information, please contact: Denise Wright, Race Relations Coordinator, South Belfast Partnership, 18 Mount Charles, BT7 1NZ.  Telephone 028 90244070; Fax 028 90245565; Email: denise.wright@sbrtr.org.uk

Tuesday 12th February 2008

The Moral Maze: Ethical Questions & The Shared Future - (From Denise Wright, South Belfast Roundtable) The Irish School of Ecumenics Education for Reconciliation, in partnership with Belfast City Council Good Relations Programme, is holding a series of public discussions on “The Moral Maze: Ethical Questions & The Shared Future”.
Topics include: ‘Is Media Reporting Ethical?’; ‘Does The Church Have An Equality Agenda? Faith And Section 75’; ‘Restoring Relationships: An Ethical Approach To Criminal Justice’; ‘Remembering The Future: Ethics And Commemoration In A New Context’; ‘Can We Ever Know The Truth?  Towards The Healing Of Memories’.
The Shared Future agenda raises a number of important and sensitive issues. It also highlights values which are core to building positive relationships. These are sensitive moral and ethical issues which create difficulties for some institutions and organisations. The Moral Maze series will provide opportunity for encounter, dialogue, awareness raising and, It is hoped, empowerment. Keynote speakers will provide input and an interactive approach will enable the audience to move through a moral maze.  Everyone welcome - no admission fee.
For further information, please contact: Anne Deighan, Good Relations Officer, Chief Executive's Department, Belfast City Council, Adelaide Exhange, 24-26 Adelaide Street, Belfast BT2 8GD.  Tel: (028) 90320202 ext 6029 OR Irish School of Ecumenics, 683 Antrim Road, Belfast, BT15 4EG, Tel: +44 (0)28 9077 5010.
For venue details, click here or on the above graphic (.pdf format, 214 Kb.).

Monday 11th February 2008

The Things People Say, Book Launch - “the things people say.... Political Quotations from the Northern Ireland Peace Process” will be launched on Wednesday 30th April 2008 at 12.00pm in The Junction, Bishop Street, L’Derry.  The guest speakers will be: Johnston McMaster (IrishSchool of Ecumenics), Nicola Lynagh (Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education) and Michael Doherty (Peace and Reconciliation Group).
From the publicity blurb:
Much has been written about ‘The Troubles’ but only in recent times has text regarding the peace process in the 1990s begun to emerge.  Drawing together quotations from a wide range of sources - including politicians, academics, clergy, political activists, journalists and other commentators - this book not only reflects key moments, arguments and issues but also represents the slow, yet momentous, political developments in Northern Ireland during the 1990s.
This book also reflects key political debate and offers legitimacy to the diversity of opinions held in Northern Ireland. Views are often expressed in an articulate and eloquent manner with a sense of purpose and meaning - and given the logic, belief and strength of feeling that underpins them are not out of place with the various political sensitivities of the time. 
This book examines many contentious areas including victims, paramilitaries and prisoners, policing, marching, decommissioning and The Good Friday Agreement and as much as contributors make arguments for and against, so too the reader can draw their own conclusions.
The book will prove particularly useful to those who are involved in peace building or community relations and/or who wish to gain a clearer understanding of the peace process in 1990’s Northern Ireland.  It will also help you to formulate arguments, challenge opinion and confront prejudice and intolerance by reflecting on the wide range of views contained within the book that are not only reflective of the mainly Nationalist and Unionist communities but all parties who had in interest in the Peace Process.
To confirm your attendance or reserve a copy (in advance) please e-mail Fergal on thekingisalive@hotmail.com or contact him on 079 4459 5864.  Click on the graphic, above, to download the poster - please display and forward.

Monday 11th February 2008

WEA Offering ‘Working In The Community’ Course - A Level 2 Certificate (awarding body: CCEA) in ‘Working In The Community’ is being offered by the Workers’ Educational Association to anyone (unemployed or employed) who is interested in working in their community - particularly those involved with children, elderly people, disabled people or people with mental health issues. Participants must be able to undertake 30 hours of placement (paid or voluntary) in a community group in order to complete the qualification.
The qualification consists of 5 mandatory units:

• Understanding community work
• Developing effective communication and teamwork skills
• Undertaking work in the community
• Understanding attitudes and the values of others
• Communicating and planning goals with clients.

For further information, phone Maura Kavanagh at 90329718 or email: maura.kavanagh@wea-ni.com
To view/download course details click here (Word .doc, 82 Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 33.9 Kb.).  To view/download Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) course specification - click here (.pdf format, 298 Kb.).

Wednesday 6th February 2008

Nigerian Couple Burned Out Of Home In Donegall Pass - (From ‘The Assembly - Official Report Tuesday 5 February 2008’, link...)  Mrs D Kelly, MLA, under “Private Members’ Business, Exploitation of Migrant Labour and Human Trafficking” moved ‘That this Assembly expresses concern at the exploitation of migrant labour and the growth of human trafficking; and calls for the ratification of the 1990 United Nations Migrant Rights Convention and the 2005 Council of Europe Convention on Action against the Trafficking in Human Beings.’ Donegall Pass Community Forum, as a member of the South Belfast Roundtable, entirely, and unequivocally, supports and is in complete sympathy with the sentiments expressed by Mrs Kelly.
Regrettably, however, Mrs Kelly goes on to state during her grandiloquent peroration that “If we think about the people who have come to our part of the world, we can bring to mind...the Nigerian couple who were burned out of their home in Donegal Pass...”.  Forum staff were astounded to be acquainted with this startling assertion - since none of them were able to recall such an odious occurrence nor, indeed, after extensive enquiries among local long term residents, were they able to elicit any other recollections of such an event.
Perhaps Mrs Kelly might be so good as to enlighten Forum staff and the residents of Donegall Pass as to precisely when and where in Donegall Pass this utterly abhorrent act took place.  They surely have a right to know.
Forum staff cannot believe that Mrs Kelly has deliberately and maliciously set out to traduce the community that it represents (or, by implication, the Forum, itself) - but Forum staff and the residents of Donegall Pass are increasingly disgusted and incensed at careless and, patently, ill-informed -  sometimes incendiary - remarks issuing from the mouths of the ‘great and the good’ that have the potential to undermine painstaking good relations and anti-hate work.
The Forum staff hopes that, after examining the accuracy of the offending remark, Mrs Kelly will not shelter behind the cloak of ‘parliamentary privilege’ - but will have the good grace to admit her mistake and publicly apologise to the people of Donegall Pass.

Monday 4th February 2008

People’s History Initiative, AONTAS STAR Awards - At the STAR Awards Ceremony, held in Dublin Castle today, the Ulster People’s College’s People’s History Initiative received a Highly Commended STAR Award.  The STAR Awards Ceremony marked the opening of the second national Adult Learners’ Festival.
AONTAS, this year, received 131 nominations for the prestigious awards - representing an almost 200% increase in last year’s 46 nominations.  STAR is the acronym formed from “Showcasing Teamwork, Awarding Recognition”.
The AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival was officially launched by Seán Haughey TD, Minister for Lifelong Learning and the keynote address was given by Michael O’Muircheartaigh.
Ken Orr, Donegall Pass Community Forum’s Community Training & Education Co-ordinator, attended the ceremony on behalf of the People’s History Initiative and its participants.  Ken will shortly be handing over the framed award certificate to the Ulster People’s College.
From the Aontas Strategic Plan 2007-2010: “AONTAS - the National Adult Learning Organisation - is a non-government membership organisation established [in the Republic of Ireland] in 1969.  The name ‘AONTAS’ is an acronym in the Irish language, Aos Oideachais Náisiúnta Tri Aontú Saorálach, meaning ‘national adult education through voluntary unification’.  AONTAS, itself, is also the Irish word for ‘unity’ or ‘union’ - so the intention of the original group of interested individuals was that the Organisation would be identified by its inclusiveness.” “The mission of AONTAS is to ensure that every adult in Ireland has access to appropriate and affordable learning opportunities throughout their lives, thus enabling them to contribute to and participate in the economic, social, civic and cultural development of Irish society.”  (ibid.)

Friday 1st February 2008

Stepping Into Diversity Course -   South Belfast Roundtable is running a ‘Stepping into Diversity’ Course on Wednesday 6th February 2008,  10.00am-1.00pm at South Belfast Partnership Board, 18 Mount Charles, Belfast. The training is free and tea and coffee will be on tap all morning.
Stepping into Diversity workshops aim to provide a better understanding of living in an intercultural society. The workshops are intended to encourage independent thinking about the issues surrounding racism, different cultures, rights, responsibilities, identity - and so on. The workshops also provide an opportunity to examine how and why we develop the ideas and perceptions we profess to hold.
Anyone requiring a place on the course or who would like further information should contact: Denise Wright, Race Relations Co-ordinator, South Belfast Partnership, 18 Mount Charles, BT7 1NZ. Telephone 028 90244070; Fax 028 90245565.  Email: denise.wright@sbrtr.org.uk

Thursday 31st January 2008

Belfast City Council, Integration & Community Cohesion Seminar - As part of its seminar series, Belfast City Council’s Conflict Transformation Project is hosting a Seminar on Integration and Community Cohesion on Tuesday 5th February 2008 at 5.00pm in Belfast Castle.  The speakers at this seminar include Prof Ash Amin of Durham University and Denise Wright from the South Belfast Roundtable.
Prof Amin will speak on his paper 'Thinking Past Integration and Community Cohesion' which looks at a number of issues including diversity, urban public space and the challenges of living in a multicultural society. Much of his work has involved public and policy engagement and influence at local, national, EU and OECD level in the areas of spatial policy, multiculturalism, and economic development.  He is currently leading an ESRC-funded project on ethnographies in the social economy, and an EU Network of Excellence initiative on knowledge generation through communities of practice.
Denise Wright will give a practical perspective on the work that is currently being undertaken by the South Belfast Roundtable on Racism (now the South Belfast Roundtable).

A hot fork buffet will be served from 4.45pm.

For further information, contact Dr. Louise McNeill at 028 9032 0202 Ext. 6036 or Claire Conroy at 028 9091 8779.  (Attendance confirmations to Dr. Mitchell by Friday 1st February 2008, latest.)  Paper for presentation at the Seminar - download/view by clicking here (Word .doc, 81 Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 161 Kb.).

Wednesday 30th January 2008

Ulster People’s College, AGM - The Ulster People’s College is holding its Annual General Meeting (for the year 2006-2007) on Wednesday 13th February 2008 at 11.30am in the College - 1 Lower Crescent, Belfast, BT7 1NR.  Location Map.
The main speaker at the event will be Claire Hackett, Co-ordinator, Duchas Living History Project.  Duchas is the Falls Road Community Council’s oral history archive, which records the experience of the conflict in West Belfast. Claire is chair of the storytelling subgroup of ‘Healing Through Remembering’, a broad-based organisation whose focus is on dealing with the past relating to the conflict.
Those wishing to attend the AGM should contact Grace Palmer at (028) 9033 0131 or email info@upclearn.org by Friday 8th February 2008.

Wednesday 30th January 2008

Belfast City Council, Community Sector Grants - Belfast City Council is inviting groups within the community sector to apply for the following grants:

• Summer Play Scheme Grant 2008
• Community Development Project Grant March 2008 (for small community project activities)
• Revenue Grant 2008-09 (for groups established since 2003/04 or acquiring premises after this period)

Groups who can meet the relevant criteria may be eligible for funding.

For application forms and information contact:
Community Services Section,
Belfast City Council,
Cecil Ward Building,
4-10 Linenhall Street,
Belfast BT2 8BP
Tel: 028 9032 0202 ext. 3346/3365; Email:stevensonj@belfastcity.gov.uk.  Applications must be completed and returned by 4pm, Monday 3rd March 2008.

Monday 28th January 2008

GEMS NI Jobsfair 2008 - GEMS NI is holding its 2008 Jobsfair - badged “Belfast at Your Service” - in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast on Thursday 7th February, from 10am to 6pm.
The annual event will, this year, bring together in excess of 50 employers able to offer thousands of local job opportunities in sretail stourism and hospitality sfinancial services spublic sector scontact centres.
Anyone who is seeking a job, or a change of career, is most welcome to come along and ‘sample the wares’.  For further information, contact Ann Downs at 9033 2313.
To view/download the flyer, click here (pdf format, 226 Kb.).  GEMS NI Website Link...

Wednesday 23rd January 2008

Czech Information Day - Under the auspices of the European Employment Services (EURES), Department for Employment and Learning, a ‘Czech Information Day’ will be held at two venues in Belfast on Tuesday 5th February 2008: 10am-12pm at GEMS NI and 2.00pm-4.00pm at East Belfast Community Education Centre/BMC (Holywood Arches).
At the above venues, Czech nationals will be able to obtain information son how to find work in Belfast sabout recent job offers son what to do before returning to the Czech Republic sabout taxes and social security sabout employment law sabout EURES. All Czech nationals are most welcome - please come!
For further information, please contact Maeve.McKeag at (028) 9033 2313; e-mail: maeve.mckeag@gemsni.org.uk or Lisa Lindsay at (028) 9025 2134; e-mail: lisa.lindsay@delni.gov.uk. Download/view Czech Information Day poster by clicking here (pdf format, 428 Kb.); download/view Czech language version by clicking here (pdf format, 334 Kb.).

Monday 21st January 2008

Free Courses from WEA & Groundwork NI - Free places are available on the following courses: “Principled Negotiation Skills” and “Sustainable Development” - both offered over 3 days, 5/7 March 2008 and 28/30 April 2008, respectively, at Groundwork, Duncairn Gardens, Belfast. Lunch is included. Times 9.30am - 4.00pm. Contact details: peterday@groundworkni.co.uk (telephone 028-90749494 ) or Maura.kavanagh@wea-ni.com (telephone 028-90329718). Download/view flyer here (Word .doc, 274 Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 316 Kb.).

Monday 21st January 2008

‘Ending Hate in our Communities’ Training for Trainers programme, 18th-20th February 2008, Clinton Centre, Enniskillen - INCORE, as part of its Diversity In Action project, is organising a ’Training for Trainers’ residential.  Northern Ireland, as in other parts of the UK, has been experiencing increased immigration of people from Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere.  Most native-born people have welcomed the new arrivals. Others, however, have responded with bias, harassment and violence. Immigrants are not the only group to experience bias, harassment and hate crimes. Members of the Traveller, Jewish, gay and lesbian community have also been targeted with hate.
 
In order to help these groups build capacity and develop the skills required to deal with bias and harassment, INCORE is hosting a 2-day residential to prepare two-person teams to conduct hate crime prevention workshops in their own communities. Participants will consist of community practitioners and district council community relations officers.
 
Steve Wessler from the ‘Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence’ (CPHV), an NGO based in the US, will facilitate the training.  CPHV has conducted numerous Training-of-Trainers conferences across the United States.  If you are interested and wish to apply for a place, please contact Roisin OHagan, INCORE on 028 71 375523 or email r.ohagan@ulster.ac.uk. Application forms need to be returned by 31st January - so it is advisable to apply soon, as places are limited.  Workshop participants will be responsible for their travel to and from Enniskillen. View/download application - click here (Word .doc, 207 Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 51.5 Kb.); view/download covering letter - click here (Word .doc, 209 Kb.) or here (.pdf format, 59.4 Kb.).

Thursday 10th January 2008

Lecture - ‘Nationalism, Unionism and Home Rule: 1885–1914’ - The Ulster People’s College has organised, and issued a general invitation to interested parties to attend, a lecture on the subject, “Nationalism, Unionism and Home Rule: 1885 – 1914” by Dr. Peter Collins, historian and lecturer.
The lecture will be delivered on Tuesday 22nd January at 3.00pm in the Canada Room, Queen’s University.  The Canada Room is in the Lanyon Building of Queen’s University. (Enter via Queen’s main front entrance - the Canada Room is to the left and will be signposted. It’s on the first floor – there’s a staircase and a lift. The lift is inside the Welcome Centre which is also on the left.)  Refreshments will be served after the lecture.  The event should be finished by 5.30 pm.  If you have any questions - ring Karen McCartney on 028 9033 0131 or email kmccartney@upclearn.org.
Places are limited, so please contact the UPC on 02890 330131 and leave your name and your number or email Karen at kmccartney@upclearn.org to book your place.

Wednesday 9th January 2008

Forum Success in Applying for Feasibility Study Funding from BCC - The Forum’s Physical Regeneration Officer, Jim McKinley, received confirmation, today, from Belfast City Council’s Development Department (Economic Initiatives) that Donegall Pass Community Forum has been awarded in excess of £18k to implement a feasibility study concerning the development and usage of a defunct public sector-owned building (and its site) in Donegall Pass (known as the ‘IncluZion Zone’).  The grant has been awarded under the Council’s ‘Neighbourhood Economic Development Programme - Phase III’. The confirmatory letter, dated 8th January 2008, advised that proposals were considered by the Council’s Development Committee on 12th December 2007 and ratified by full council on 7th January 2008.
The Forum expects to be in a position to invite the submission of tenders for the study during the course of the first quarter of this year.
For further information, contact Jim McKinley at (028) 9032 6256 or e-mail: jim.mckinley@donegallpass.org.

Tuesday 8th January 2008

Housing Executive, Temporary Relocation of Counter Service - In a letter to the Forum, the Housing Executive has announced that its Great Victoria Street Area Office counter areas are being temporarily relocated to its offices in nearby Murray Street.  This temporary relocation is due to repair work being carried out to the ground floor of the Great Victoria Street Area Office - the repairs will begin on Monday 14th January 2008 and are scheduled for completion within 4 months.
Tenants and customers are being individually advised, in writing, of this temporary move (they will be contacted again, in writing, concerning a re-opening date). Counter areas affected include:
South Belfast District Office - while the usual counter service will be provided in Murray Street, tenants and customers can contact the District Office, by telephone, to arrange a home visit or to make an appointment at one of the sub-offices operating in the area.
Private Housing Benefit - the usual service will be provided in Murray Street.
Private Sector Grants Reception - documentation should be left at Murray Street - where a receipt will be given. Personal interviews may be arranged by contacting the Grants Office, where an appointment will be be made.
The Housing Executive advises that all existing phone numbers, including direct dial numbers for individual members of staff, may continue to be used.

Monday 7th January 2008

Ulster People’s College Training Calendar (Jan-May 2008) - The Ulster People’s College has released details of its Training Calendar for the forthcoming year.

Course Descriptions:
Getting to Grips with the Media
This course provides participants with an understanding of how to develop an effective publicity strategy for an organisation. It will enable participants to create publicity materials, write press releases and have a good understanding of key media outlets.
This course is accredited at OCN Level 2.

Course Dates Time 1 Friday 18, 25 January & 1 February 10am – 4pm 2 Thursday 3, 10, 17, 24 April & 1, 8 May 6.30pm – 9.30pm

Developing Facilitation Skills
This course aims to introduce participants to the principles of facilitation and to give them the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to effectively manage a group.
This course is accredited at OCN Level 2.

Course Dates Time 1 Wednesday 16, 23 & 30 January 10am – 4pm 2 Monday 4, 11, 18, 25 February & 3, 10 March 6.30pm – 9.30pm

Fundraising
This course is suitable for those who want to find out more about the funding environment and improve their ability to complete funding applications.  It covers topics such as understanding budgets, accessing funding information and developing relationships with funders.
This course is accredited at OCN Level 1.

Course Dates Time 1 Wednesday 20 & 27 February 10am – 4pm

Introduction to Community Development
This course aims to introduce participants to the key skills and concepts of community development.
This course is accredited at OCN Level 1.

Course Dates Time 1 Saturday 2 & 9 February 10am – 4pm

Living with Diversity
This course explores the implications of living in an increasingly multi-cultural society. The course is suitable for anyone with an interest in diversity issues and a shared future.
This course is accredited at OCN Level 2.

Course Dates Time 1 Tuesday 22, 29 January & 5, 12 February 6.30pm – 9.30pm 2 Friday 29 February & 7 March 10am – 4pm

The Politics of Northern Ireland: An Overview
This course is of interest to a wide range of groups and individuals.  It explores the political parties, key events and relationships that have shaped Northern Ireland. It also investigates the competing understandings and ideologies that have lead to the current arrangements.
This course is accredited at OCN Level 2.

Course Dates Time 1 Thursday 7, 14, 21 & 28 February 7pm - 9pm

Women & Leadership
This course offers women the opportunity to explore their own leadership potential and feel more confident about taking on leadership roles.  It also aims to help women explore the balance of power in our society in relation to gender.
This course is accredited at OCN Level 2.

Course Dates Time 1 Wednesday 16, 23, 30 January, 6, 13, 20, 27 February & 5 March 7pm - 9pm 2 Friday 4,11 & 18 April 10am – 4pm

The courses will be held at the UPC (1 Lower Crescent, Belfast), however, if there is substantial demand - the College will run additional courses in other locations. The courses are accredited by the Open College Network, are open to everyone and are delivered free of charge.  Click here to view/download Course Application/Student Enrolment Form (completed forms to: Tracey Loughens, Ulster People’s College, 1 Lower Crescent, Belfast, BT7 1NR. Telephone: 028 9033 0131, Fax: 028 9024 1016.  E-mail: info@upclearn.org).

Thursday 3rd January 2008

Senior Citizens’ Christmas Hamper Scheme, 2007 - Approximately 180 Christmas Hampers were filled, wrapped and delivered to Senior residents, prior to Christmas, by Donegall Pass Community Forum staff.
The Forum’s offices were turned into a warehouse incorporating a frenetic assembly/production line - with the ‘raw materials’ being taken in at one end and gift-wrapped, address-labelled, hampers emerging at the other. Perfectly innocent visitors to the offices were press-ganged and sucked into the mad maelstrom of activity - people like Elizabeth Mansfield, her partner and Andrew Snowdon (thank you!).
Deliveries of hampers commenced with the Oaklee sheltered dwellings in Elm Court on Tuesday 18th December and continued throughout the remainder of the week (day and evening) - ending at approximately 1.30pm on Friday 21st with the help of Anne-Marie, Chris and Sarah McKinley (thank you!).
The following organisations’ donations (in kind and/or cash) deserve an enormous vote of thanks:

Hideout Bar Water Margin Restaurant P.S.N.I. Fonezone Flour Power Harrison’s Healthcare Rubber Stamp Co. Benedict’s Donegall Pass Community Forum South Belfast Highway 2 Health

The P.S.N.I. also provided safety alarms and packs for each hamper
Without the support of the above organisations - the Senior Citizens’ Christmas Hamper Scheme could not have succeeded.  Thank you, one and all.
Ballots were sold to raise money and the draw took place in the Forum offices on 10th December at 2pm.  The winners: 1st prize, William Laverty; 2nd prize, Sandra; 3rd prize, John Dean; 4th prize, Jake Harrison; 5th prize, Anna Jess; 6th prize, Rab Hollywood; 7th prize, Sadie Taylor. Thank you to all who bought tickets.
Thanks are due to ‘Big Stevie’ of Fagan Fruit Ltd for the provision of fruit boxes
Who’s idea was it, anyway? - Leeanne Mills, our Health Development Worker. Thanks Leeanne.

© Donegall Pass Community Forum 2006-2008