Roundtable Information Updates

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Information and Updates

From Marnie Kennedy, BIP - Friday 30th July 2010
Community Dialogue Summer School Exhibition - Community Dialogue is hosting the very unique exhibition "Cartoons in Conflict" on behalf of the Parents Circle-Families Forum, an organisation, based in the Middle East, made up of bereaved Palestinian and Israeli families. For further information about the Belfast and Derry/Londonderry launches and dialogues, which are taking place between the 16th and 19th August 2010, please click here (Word .doc, 339Kb.). Two members of the Parents Circle-Families Forum, Robi and Seham, will be be in attendance to share their stories and explain their message. Anyone wishing to attend should please contact Yvonne O'Donnell, email: admin@communitydialogue.org. Website Link.

From Chris O’Halloran, BIP - Thursday 29th July 2010
Steps To Work - Free Training in IT Vocational Skills - Transition Training, in conjunction with the Department for Employment and Learning, is delivering, through the ‘Steps To Work’ programme, free training (City & Guilds qualifications) in Web Design and Multimedia (NVQ and VRQ); Computers for the Office Environment (NVQ and VRQ); Computerised Accounts (VRQ); Systems Support (NVQ and VRQ).
Transition Training can provide one of its trained and qualified adult students for placement for 30 hours per week for either 16 or 36 weeks. For further details, please click here to view/download the ‘gist’ of the message received by Chris O’Halloran (.pdf format, 83.1Kb.). Contact: Frankie Higgins, Email: frankiehiggins@transitiontraining.org; Tel: 028 9033 1504 (or 07746 279839). Website Link.

From Denise Wright - Wednesday 28th July 2010
Global Xchange - Global Xchange - a cross-cultural, international volunteering programme - is seeking young people aged 18 to 25 who are from Belfast. During October 2010, Belfast will link with the city of Durban in South Africa to offer 20 young people from across the world the opportunity to take part in a new, exciting exchange programme. Young people, aged 18 to 25, will live and volunteer together for three months in Durban and three months in Belfast contributing to local projects, while at the same time gaining new skills, new friends and new perspectives. Applications close this Friday 30th July 2010 - so anyone interested should apply immediately! Direct link for the application form (Word .doc, 204Kb.) - for the .pdf version, click here. Direct link for more information (Word .doc, 170Kb.) - for the .pdf verson, click here.

From Marnie Kennedy, BIP - Wednesday 28th July 2010
New Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration - The new Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration has been released for consultation. This is an important document and statement of policy intentions towards the renewal of interface communities.
A quote from the document: “This Programme sets out goals that we believe are crucial to achieving a shared and better future for all. In particular, we are committed to addressing the issues for disaffected young people; welcoming and living in harmony with our neighbours from minority ethnic backgrounds; and tackling the conditions that perpetuate the need for urban interfaces and rural segregation.”
According to the online BBC News release, the public is now being asked to consult on the document over the next three months. The consultation period will run until 29th October 2010. To view the online BBC News release, please click here. To download the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration and consultation questionnaire, please click here (NIDirect website). Direct link to the Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration Consultation Document (.pdf format, 504Kb.). Interested parties are urged to read the consultation document and to take up opportunities to feed back to OFMDFM with your views of it and how it might be improved.

From Denise Wright - Wednesday 28th July 2010
Job Vacancy: Educational Development Officer - Taughmonagh Community Forum Ltd wish to appoint an Educational Development Worker to join the Big Lottery-funded ‘Live and Learn Open Doors’ project - to work within a team, to develop and deliver a range of courses, activities and information to the local communities of Annadale, Benmore and Taughmonagh. The position is offered on a 6 months fixed-term contract (long-term sickness cover), 35 hours per week (job-share considered). For further details, please click here to view/download the job advertisement (Word .doc, 36.5Kb.) and here to view/download the Job Details Pack (Word .doc, 170Kb.). Closing Date for completed applications: Wednesday 11th August 2010, at 4.00pm. Please email karina@opendoors.uk.com for an application pack and further details.

From NICVA, via Elaine Mansfield - Monday 26th July 2010
NI Public Expenditure Cuts - Oxford Economics Report - To view/download the report from Oxford Economics, “Cutting carefully – how repairing UK finances will impact NI” (a report for NICVA, July 2010) please click here (.pdf format, 744Kb.). NICVA Chief Executive, Seamus McAleavey, said: “It doesn't make for comfortable reading. However, it does arm us for our lobbying campaign over the next three months, entitled "Smart Solutions in Tough Times". The report predicts that Northern Ireland will loose over £1.2 billion over four years and we are fearful that if handled badly voluntary and community organisations could suffer unfairly.”
NICVA has also set up a pre-consultation Budget 2010 session, with senior officials from the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP), for Tuesday 10th August from 11.00am to 1.00pm. For further information click here. Those wishing to attend this key meeting should contact Cathy Breslin at cathy.breslin@nicva.org. NIVCA is also in the process of setting up pre budget consultation meetings with each department - and will keep members informed.
Seamus McAleavey adds, “It is important that organisations get active individually - if we wait for the axe to fall, it will fall! We are not seeking special treatment just fair treatment and are encouraging organisations to demonstrate their real value with hard data.” Please click here to go to the relevant NICVA news page.

From Polish Association Northern Ireland (Newsletter) - Monday 26th July 2010
Fabrika – Festival of Eastern Europe 2010 - “Fabrika – Festival of Eastern Europe 2010” will take place from Sunday 1st August to Saturday 7th August 2010 (inclusive).
This year, the Polish Association NI, in association with the Czech and Slovak Association NI, has sought to broaden the scope and ambition of the festival by joining forces with other eastern European countries to create a larger festival: Fabrika - Festival of Eastern Europe. The countries involved include Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Northern Ireland has welcomed many migrants from these countries over the last number of years - migrants who have come here to work, to study, to play, to live - basically those same things that all humans seek to do whether Irish, British, Estonian or Czech; and, so, Fabrika aims to celebrate these common traits and aspirations of our fellow humans and our fellow Europeans. This celebration will take the form of a week-long festival of cultural and community-based events celebrating our diversity and commonality as Europeans.
Links: www.fabrikafestival.com/ (Fabrika); www.wapnet.pl/category/irl (Wapnet); www.polishassociation.org/ (Polish Association Northern Ireland).

From Project Manager, Unite Against Hate - Sunday 25th July 2010
Unite Against Hate E-News - Unite Against Hate E-News Update (Issue 45/07): News - Belfast Pride Festival | Country Antrim Milk Cup unites against hate | Fabrika – Festival of Eastern Europe. Please click here to view (.htm, 9.65Kb.).

From Denise Wright - Thursday 22nd July 2010
Free Training on Migration Awareness and Ending Hate Crime - Anyone interested in fostering good relations between long-term residents and new arrivals and/or keen to find the best way to tackle racist comments or behaviour - and, perhaps, wanting to to know more about migrant workers and their rights - is urged to enrol for the regular half-day training events for individuals, community workers and organisations, delivered by staff from Belfast City Council Good Relations Unit and South Belfast Roundtable.
Places are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or, to book a place, email Denise Wright: denise.wright@sbrtr.org.uk or Leish Dolan: dolanl@belfastcity.gov.uk.
Training timetable:
Migration Awareness Training
Thursday 16 September (9.30am to 1.30pm)
Repeated Thursday 7 October (9.30am to 1.30pm)
Migrant Awareness Training is a half-day workshop designed by South Belfast Roundtable and staff from BCC Good Relations Unit.
It is an interactive session which explores inward and outward migration and the rights of migrant workers in Northern Ireland. It aims to dispel myths and provide practical information on issues relating to migration.

Ending Hate Crime Training
Friday 17 September (9.30am to 1.30pm)
Repeated Wednesday 13 October (9.30am to 1.30pm)
Ending Hate Crime Training is a half day workshop delivered by South Belfast Roundtable and staff from BCC Good Relations Unit.
It aims to give participants an understanding of the extent of bias, harassment and hate crimes in their community and the impact of bias and harassment on those targeted, as well as practical skills to help them respond to, and prevent, hate crime.

From Marnie Kennedy, BIP - Tuesday 20th July 2010
The Urban Playground is Coming to Belfast - “Micro-Choreographies by The Urban Playground Team”. The Urban Playground Team, a group of four performers who combine ‘Parkour’ with various contemporary and street-dance styles, is a partnership between Gravity Style, the organisation of the co-creators of Parkour, based in Paris, and Prodigal Theatre based in Brighton. Over 3 days in August (Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th and Friday 13th) they will deliver a series of workshops with three groups of between 15 – 18 people to create 3 new 5 minute performance pieces which will be presented to the public on Saturday 14th August 2010, along with their new show – The Next Level. The Urban Playground Team has delivered workshops for participants aged 12yrs – 65yrs; from complete beginners to seasoned professionals. Participants do not need to be exceptionally fit and agile, but must be able to commit to attending 1 day of the workshop series and the performance day - a Workshop costs £5 per participant. Interested parties should please contact ‘The MAC’, Tel: 028 9023 5053. For further details, please click here (.pdf format, 135Kb.).

From Marnie Kennedy, BIP - Tuesday 20th July 2010
Conflict in Cities, International Conference, Call For Papers - “Urban Conflicts - Ethno-National Divisions, States and Cities”, 19–21 May 2011, Queen’s University Belfast. This multi-disciplinary conference aims to further our understandings of the nature and dynamics of ethno-national conflicts as manifested in divided cities. Conversely, it questions how cities and everyday urban life are used - and abused - in the containment of these wider national conflicts, and it explores their potential for achieving the self-sustaining moderation, constructive channelling or resolution of conflict. The conference aims to enhance dialogue between academics and non-academic policy practitioners and community activists. It will include plenary and parallel sessions, key-note speakers, round table discussions and a guided tour of Belfast’s ‘peacewalls’ and ‘shared spaces’.
Papers are invited, under the following overlapping themes: Historical Origins and Development of Contested Cities and States; Conflict Management and Conflict Transformation in Cities; Ethno-National Borders and Walls; ‘Neutral’ or ‘Shared’ Spaces in the City?; Urban Populations and the Politics of Demography; Political Economy and the Built Environment; Contesting the ‘Religious City’; Visualising Divided Cities. Abstracts of not more than 500 words should be emailed to Dr Milena Komarova - m.komarova@qub.ac.uk - by the deadline date of 31st October 2010. For more details, please click here to view/download the Call For Papers document (.pdf format, 277Kb.). Conflict In Cities Website Link.

From Marnie Kennedy, BIP - Tuesday 20th July 2010
Springboard Opportunities Ltd, New Training Programme - Springboard Opportunities Ltd is recruiting for final places on upcoming free programmes, aimed at those who are aged between 18 and 28 and eligible for job seekers benefit. The programmes have a three-strand approach: personal development, mutual understanding and professional development.
Available Programmes:

Trades - Tiling, Joinery, Painting and Brickwork
Sports - Sports Coaching
Options - Customer Service, Retail, Hospitality
Alternative Directions - Designed around the needs and wants of the participants
Directions - Personal development programme

Anyone who is interested, or who requires further information, should please contact: Paula Quinn, Marketing and Recruitment Manager, Springboard Opportunities Ltd., 108-112 Royal Avenue, Belfast, BT1 1DL. Tel: 028 9031 5111; Fax: 028 9031 3171. Website Link.

From Project Manager, Unite Against Hate - Sunday 18th July 2010
Unite Against Hate E-News - Unite Against Hate E-News (Issue 45/07): News - The Community Relations Council condemns the violent disturbances around parades and protests | Crippen – what’s your vote? | The Big QueerSpace History Bus Tour. Events - Belfast Mela | 29 August | Botanic Gardens, Belfast. Please click here to view (.htm, 10.3Kb.).

From Good Relations Unit - Wednesday 14th July 2010
PEACE III Local Action Plan 2011-2013 Consultation - The Belfast Good Relations Partnership is conducting a public consultation exercise during July and August 2010 to help shape and develop the Belfast Peace and Reconciliation Plan for the period 2011 – 2013. The deadline for responses to the consultation is Friday 27th August 2010.
Four consultation events are planned - to be held in the Linenhall Library and Belfast City Hall - please click here to view details (.pdf format, 27.8Kb.). The consultation document is available to view or download at Belfast City Council’s Good Relations Unit’s relevant web page - please click here (link). Alternatively, click here for a direct link to the document (.pdf format, 585.38Kb.).

From Project Manager, Unite Against Hate - Friday 9th July 2010
Unite Against Hate E-News - Unite Against Hate has released its latest E-News (Issue 44/07): News - Let us know what you think | Orangefest celebrations | Awards for Bridging Cultures. Events - Féile an Phobail | 30 July – 8 August | Belfast; Fabrika Festival | 1 – 7 August | Belfast; Belsonic | 17 – 20 August | Custom House Square, Belfast. Please click here to view (.htm, 12.8Kb.). Please click here to view/download the ‘Happy Summer’ poster (jpeg image, 380Kb.).

From Ivy Ridge via Denise Wright - Thursday 8th July 2010
Jacek Dolecki - [Message text, addressed to Denise] “It is with great sadness that I have to inform you of the death of Jacek Dolecki in Ballymena. The terrible part about this tragedy is that Jacek died in April and his body was only discovered by his landlord last week. We have informed the family and they are devastated and understandably want the body flown back to Poland. We have been contacted by a Funeral director in Poland who is prepared to fly the body home for £2500.
”We have been in touch with Jacek’s mother who says she is willing to sell her land to have her son’s body flown home but she couldn’t possibly raise £2500. We are doing our best to raise funds to help her and would truly appreciate it if you could forward this email to your contacts to see if anyone is in a position to help. I can be contacted on my mobile (number supplied). The funeral mass for Jacek is being held by Father Mariuz at All Saint’s Parish Centre, Cushendall Road, Ballymena on July 17th at 4.30 pm.”
Contact: Ivy Ridge, Ethnic Minorities Project Manager, Ballymena Inter-Ethnic Forum, 40 Glendun Park, Ballymena, Co Antrim, BT43 6ES. Tel (Office): 028 2564 8822; Fax: 028 2565 1035; e-mail: ivy.ridge@bief.org.uk. We appeal to all visitors to this webpage to please help, if you are able.
Donations: Please make donations payable to - Ballymena Inter-Ethnic Forum (and write ‘JD’ on the back of your cheque).
(For Ivy Ridge’s mobile phone no., please contact Denise Wright - click on the Roundtable logo at top left of this page for Denise’s contact details.)

From EGSA - Thursday 8th July 2010
EGSA E-Briefing, July 2010 Edition - EGSA has released the July 2010 Edition of its E-Briefing. Click here to view (.htm, 60.8Kb.).

From Brian Mullan - Thursday 8th July 2010
Public Health Agency launches first Director of Public Health Report - The first annual report of the Director of Public Health for Northern Ireland was published today. This significant report highlights the many public health challenges that affect people in Northern Ireland. The Director of Public Health Annual Report, 2009 may be accessed by clicking here (.pdf format, 3.16Mb.); The Director of Public Health Annual Report Core Tables, 2009 may be accessed by clicking here (.pdf format, 1.42Mb.).

From Maciek Bator - Wednesday 7th July 2010
Fabrika Streetball Jam 2010 - "One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team." - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Fabrika Festival, in association with Basketball NI and PeacePlayers International, wishes to invite basketball players from all over Northern Ireland to take part in the Fabrika Streetball Jam 2010. Register your team on-line today! To enroll please visit www.fabrikafestival.com/streetball. For more information, e-mail: streetball@fabrikafestival.com or Tel: 028 9032 1232. Please click here (.htm, 3.34Kb.) to view Maciek Bator’s message. Links: www.fabrikafestival.com/; www.polishassociation.org/.

From Alice Quigley via Elaine Mansfield - Wednesday 7th July 2010
Community Ticketing Scheme: Shows for the month of July - Please click here (Word .doc, 43.5Kb.) to view/download the community ticketing bulletin for July 2010. To purchase all tickets, contact the Box Office on 9033 4455. Interested groups that have not already completed an application form for the Community Ticketing Scheme should do so and e-mail quigleya@waterfront.co.uk before phoning the box office. For further information, contact Alice Quigley, Tel: 028 9033 4400 ext 1341 (see also above email address). Click here (Excel .xls, 532Kb.) to view/download the application form. Click here to download/view “10 Steps to Waterfront Community Ticket Happiness” document (.rtf format, 45.5Kb.).

From Denise Wright - Monday 5th July 2010
Diary Date: Next Roundtable Meeting - Notice to all Roundtable members: the next Roundtable meeting (which will also be the Annual General Meeting) will be held on Thursday 9th September 2010, in the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland’s premises, at 9.45am - for a 10.00am start.

From Glen McCrum via Denise Wright - Monday 5th July 2010
Women’s Individual Support & Personal Achievement Scheme - The ‘Women’s Individual Support & Personal Achievement Scheme’ - supported by the International Fund for Ireland - aims to offer women within the nationalist and unionist communities the opportunity to gain accredited educational/vocational qualifications - increasing their potential for volunteering and employment within their communities. Applications to the scheme are invited, up to the sum of £1,000.
The scheme is open to:

Women who are resident in Belfast
Women who are aged 18 years, or over, on 1st January 2010
Women who are preparing to study, or who are currently studying, on a full-time, or part-time, further education, higher education or vocational training course.

Closing date for applications: 1.00pm, Friday 13th August 2010.
For an application form, please contact: Audrey Barr, Project Co-ordinator, WISPA, Unit 3, 331-333 Shankill Road, Belfast BT13 3AA. Tel: 028 9031 4298; email: wispa@ntlbusiness.com.

From Project Manager, Unite Against Hate - Sunday 4th July 2010
Unite Against Hate E-News - Unite Against Hate has released another E-News (Issue 43/07): News: Unite against Hate has got the Blues; Here Comes the Summer; British Council Active Citizens Programme. Events: NI Milk Cup Opening Parade | 25 July | Coleraine Town Hall; Belfast Pride | 31 July | Custom House Square, Belfast; Belfast Mela | 29 August | Botanic Gardens, Belfast. Please click here to view (.html, 10.1Kb.)

From Denise Wright - Thursday 24th June 2010
Roundtable Wins Award for Social Cohesion - Please click here (.htm, 14.3Kb.) to view the communiqué from the Executive Information Service (OFMDFM News Release) regarding the Intercultural Achievement Awards. The Roundtable won an award for its work in Social Cohesion - warm congratulations to Stephanie Mitchell who has put a lot of hard work and effort into the Integration Project.

From Donna Fullerton, Equality Commission - Thursday 17th June 2010
New Course in Equality, Diversity and Conflict Management - The Belfast Divercity Project is offering a new free 6 day course exploring the issues of equality, diversity and conflict management - scheduled to commence on Wednesday 15th September 2010. The course is being offered as part of a wider project looking at the theme of shared organisational space - by which is meant the development of collaborative working relationships across organisational boundaries and cultural differences. For full details, please click here (Word .doc, 672Kb.). To view/download the booking form, please click here (Word .doc, 939Kb.).

From John Read via Denise Wright - Thursday 17th June 2010
Culture Night Belfast - Organisations and groups wishing to participate in ‘Culture Night Belfast: Promoting Belfast as a thriving cultural city’, scheduled for Friday, 24th September, 2010, should read the ‘participation brief’: please click here to view/download (.pdf format, 237Kb.). For further information, please email: louise@culturenightbelfast.com (Louise McElvanna, Development Manager, Culture Night Belfast).

From Stephanie Mitchell - Tuesday 1st June 2010
Belfast Inclusion Festival Website Goes ‘Live’ - [Message text] “Belfast Inclusion Festival - events by communities for communities. The Festival website went live last night featuring the first of the 45+ events scheduled to take place throughout June. More are being added all the time so please watch this space at www.belfastinclusionfestival.org.
“B inclusive: If you are organising an event that:

celebrates diversity
promotes inclusion
takes place in Belfast during June
is free of charge and
where all are welcome...

“...then I will be glad to include it in the programme. This is a flexible, grassroots festival designed to respond at short notice and help promote the many creative ideas and examples of excellent work that are continually generated in the city as the result of people's goodwill and commitment to inclusion - on the ground. I look forward to seeing what shape this takes during June!
“Belfast Friendship Club fundraising launch: Thursday 3rd June 7-9pm, Common Grounds Café.
“Thanks to several workshops led by Michael Hart (Belfast Print Workshops), this week's programme will include an exhibition of monoprints by members of the Club on show throughout June. All proceeds will go to the Friendship Club, ensuring that we can continue to offer a warm welcome to all.” Please click here to view/download Monoprint Launch flyer (.pdf format, 186Kb.). Contact Stephanie Mitchell, Tel: 028 9024 4070; Fax: 028 9024 5565; Email: stephanie.mitchell@sbrtr.org.uk.

From Eileen Mellon - Thursday 27th May 2010
UnLtd Road Safety Challenge Awards now open - The UnLtd Road Safety Challenge Awards have been recently established to support communities to develop solutions to their road safety issues. Applications for awards are open to individuals, informal/formal community groups and voluntary groups with innovative solutions to road safety issues. The key aims of the Awards are to support and invest in the motivation of individuals and groups who are passionate about road safety and its issues, and to bring about community impact in crucial road safety areas such as safety for children, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users; better driver testing, training and licensing; better driver behaviour and safer road infrastructure or vehicles. The awards available are:
Catalyst Awards: up to £5,000
Catalyst Awards are aimed at energetic, driven and committed individuals or groups who have an idea and need help getting it off the ground.
Development Awards: up to £15,000
Development Awards are up to £15,000 to support individuals or groups with existing and developed projects that can grow to the next level.
For further information about who can apply, etc., please click here (Word 2007 .docx, 15.7Kb.). Contact for Road Safety Challenge Awards: email - janebryson@unltd.org.uk; Tel: 028 9024 4007. Click this link - UnLtd - for the application and guidance notes.

From Eileen Mellon - Monday 24th May 2010
Voices - Participation for Social Justice - The Voices Fund has been established to recognise rarely heard voices and issues within society, resulting in disadvantage and exclusion. It offers funding for locally-based projects run by, and for, people who may be experiencing disadvantage or marginalisation.
Grants will be awarded up to a maximum of £5,000. The Fund will allocate some £60,000 over 2010/2011 in a range of small grants.
The Fund welcomes applications that will address:

The priority of recording the experiences of groups of people that have been isolated or marginalised within society.
Activities to address shared concerns among groups of people, or local communities that have been adversely affected by deprivation or marginalisation.
The issues that result in disadvantage and marginalisation. This may include the identification of attitudes, practices, prejudices or treatments.
The development of projects that offer a sense of ownership and self-confidence for previously excluded or disadvantaged groups.
The development of projects that create a safe environment to encourage meaningful dialogue and take action concerning the most marginalised in society.
The identification of opportunities to ensure a more socially just, equal and welcoming society in Northern Ireland.

Priority will be given to those applications showing clear involvement of marginalised and/or excluded groups or communities in the design and delivery of a project.
Use the links below to download the full Voices Fund guidelines and application form.
Grant Guidelines
Application Form
Deadline for applications: 30th July 2010 (1st round) & 29th October 2010 (2nd round).
For further information on the Voices Fund please contact: Jude McCann, Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, Community House, Citylink Business Park, Albert Street, Belfast BT12 4HQ. Tel: 028 9024 5927; Fax: 028 9032 9839

From Barbara Ward via Marnie Kennedy - Friday 21st May 2010
"Legal Highs" and Mephedrone (PHA) - Please click here to download/view a revised version of the Public Health Agency's (PHA) generic "Legal highs" Factsheet (.pdf format, 475Kb.) - this has been revised to take into account recent changes in the legislation on mephedrone. If you have been using the previous Factsheet, or have placed it on your website, please replace it with this version.
Also, please click here to view/download the first PHA "Legal highs" Bulletin (.pdf format, 191Kb.) - this contains updated information specifically on mephedrone, its legal status and health issues.
It is envisaged that future "Legal Highs" Bulletins will be published in response to emerging new trends or identified substances - this will allow the PHA to respond quickly with accurate information for individuals, families, communities and practitioners on specific substances.
The Bulletin supports the information contained in the generic Factsheet. For further information and/or clarification please contact: Barbara Ward, Senior Drug and Alcohol Co-ordinator, Public Health Agency, Drugs and Alcohol Co-ordination Team, Anderson House - 2nd Floor, Market Street, Omagh BT78 1EE; Email: barbara.ward@hscni.net; Tel: 028 8225 3950; Fax: 028 8225 3959.

From Harryet Bellwood-Howard via Denise Wright - Thursday 20th May 2010
Opportunity for Young People to Tell Their Story on the BBC - BBC 3 is currently casting for a documentary around youth unemployment, featuring a selection of 16-25 year olds and following their stories along their journeys to find a job.
At the moment, the channel is looking for young people (potential contributors) who have left school after 16 or 18 and are unemployed and looking for a job at the moment - and/or 16-25 year olds who have been in the army/military services and are currently unemployed looking for a job - and/or 16-25 year olds who are unemployed and from rural areas.
The progamme-makers are looking for young people from all over the UK, so please forward this to anyone you think would be able to help them - or email their details to robyn.stephenson@bbc.co.uk or bbc3doc@bbc.co.uk or Gareth.Wakeham@bbc.co.uk. Other contact details: Tel (Direct Dial) 020 8752 4249 (02 24249) • Central Helpdesk 020 8576 7788 (x02 67788); Fax Central Helpdesk 020 8576 8887.

From Nigel Jennings via Denise Wright - Tuesday 18th May 2010
Opportunities for Volunteering - [Message text] “I’m putting up a volunteer board in Common Grounds Café to advertise volunteer opportunities within the Holylands area. If there are any organisations that would like to be included in this and advertise volunteer opportunities in the café can you please let me know and I’ll happily put them on the board.” Email contact: nigel@citychurchbelfast.org.

From Cathie Connor - Friday 14th May 2010
Sonic Academy: Youth and Community Workshops - Sonic Academy is Ireland’s first dedicated DJ and music technology training school. Based at its state of the art training facilities in Belfast City Centre, it has a dedicated team of DJs, producers and urban artists. It has a wealth of experience in delivering workshops to young people from youth and community organisations of various ages, from different religious, social and cultural backgrounds.
Please click here to view/download Sonic Academy’s ‘Youth and Community Brochure’ (.pdf format, 2.08Mb.).
Contact Cathie Connor, Office Manager, Sonic Academy, 25 Talbot Street, 1st Floor Midtown Centre, Belfast BT1 2LD - Tel: 028 9082 3640; Email: cathy@sonicacademy.com. Website Link.

From Richard Cory-Wright via Denise Wright - Thursday 13th May 2010
Good Relations Education Challenge Paper - Teachers should be better supported to address issues of sectarianism and racism - that’s one of the key messages of a Challenge Paper published recently by the Good Relations Forum. The intention of the Challenge Paper is to promote and encourage real, meaningful and sustained contact amongst children and young people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. It examines the social and religious divisions in Northern Ireland schools and develops a series of suggestions aimed at improving school co-operation between schools and across the sectarian divide.
The Challenge Paper sets out a series of recommendations to the Department of Education, other educational policy-makers, schools and local communities. Click here for the full text of this message (.pdf format, 42Kb.). Click here to view/download the Challenge Paper, itself (.pdf format, 292Kb.).

From Siobhan Caulfield via Denise Wright - Thursday 13th May 2010
Prince’s Trust Update - Last year, alone, in Northern Ireland, the Prince's Trust helped over 3,000 young people change their levels and this year we are aiming to help many more. As you know, we believe in young people who often don’t believe in themselves. We seek out those young people that need our help the most and work with young people who struggle at school, are in, or leaving, care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law. We are aware that young people from ethnic minorities, with disabilities, who are single parents and who are refugees are over-represented in these groups and we are keen to work with partners who specialise in these areas to increase our update from young people in these sub groups.
Please click here (Word .doc, 510Kb.) for an update on all the programmes we currently run in N.I. including locations, dates and contact telephone numbers. Siobhan Caulfield, Senior Head of Programmes, The Prince’s Trust, Block 5, Jennymount Court, North Derby Street, Belfast, BT15 3HN. Tel:028 9075 8104; Email: siobhan.caulfield@princes-trust.org.uk. Prince’s Trust Website Link.

From Jeremy Adams, via Denise Wright - Wednesday 5th May 2010
Awards for Bridging Cultures - Last year, two Northern Ireland entries were successful and received £10K each. Click here to view/download the promotional flyer (.pdf format, 61Kb.). The deadline for applications is 13th September 2010. For more information please contact Jennifer Tankard, email: jennifer.tankard@bridgingcultures.org.uk; Tel: 024 7679 5768 or visit www.bridgingcultures.org.uk.

From Marnie Kennedy, Belfast Interface Project - Friday 29th April 2010
Volunteers Needed for International 'Walls' Art Project - The Fondazione Claudio Buziol is aiming to put together an international community of volunteers who will contribute content to the "There Is No Why Here" project, which will be dedicated to the theme of "Walls", in the sense of "separation barriers". Please click here for information (Word .doc, 32.5Kb.). For further information, please contact Karina Lundström, Lundström Arts Management, 86 Ard na Mara, Malahide, Co. Dublin - Tel: +353 (0)1 8450444 (Skype: karina.lundstrom); email: info@lundstrom-am.com. Website Link.

From Colleen Macauley, Irish Football Association, via Denise Wright - Thursday 15th April 2010
Summer Camps - The Irish Football Association has announced some summer camp opportunities for youth leaders and youth groups. Click here to download/view poster (.pdf format,240Kb.) concerning the Red Card Intercultural Summer Camp - Áras Ghleann Cholm Cille - Co Donegal, 5th - 10th July 2010. Click here to download/view the brochure (.pdf format, 375Kb.) for this event. To view/download volunteer profiles, please click here (Word .doc, 25Kb.). For further details, please contact Colleen Macauley, Community Relations Officer (or contact Maria), IFA, Tel: 028 9066 9458; 078 94 614299; email: cmacauley@irishfa.com. Irish Football Association: Website Link.

From Marnie Kennedy, Belfast Interface Project - Wednesday 14th April 2010
Summer Intervention Opportunities - Please click on the following links to view/download (Word .doc format) outlines of details of funding opportunities available over the summer months: Good Relations Grants (31Kb.) - Community Safety Small Grants Programme (30.5Kb.) - Urban Arts Academy (34Kb.) - Summer scheme grant aid (29Kb.) - Community Festivals Fund, tranche 2 (29.5Kb.) - Summer Interventions Ulster Hall (33Kb.) - Falls Leisure Centre (28.5Kb.) - Andersonstown Leisure Centre (28.5Kb.) - Shankill Leisure Centre (29.5Kb.).

From Moira McCombe, NICRAS - Wednesday 7th April 2010
Urgent appeal for Dungavel detainee Mohammed - [Message text from forwarded email to Moira] “You may have heard that a Sudanese asylum seeker was arrested and detained last Wednesday when he went to report at the police station. He was transferred to Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre in Scotland.
“He has been set Removal Directions for 13th April 2010.
“Mohammed has asked RAG for our assistance in securing his release. However, Mohammed’s solicitor requested that we refrain from campaigning while some legal issues were being examined – we have now been given the green light!
“I have attached two model letters. Please can you download them and send them by fax or by post to:

Phil Taylor, UKBA Regional Director Scotland & Northern Ireland Festival Court, 200 Brand Street, Glasgow G51 1DH Fax: 020 7035 4745
Home Secretary Alan Johnson, 2 Marsham St, London, SW1P 4DF, Fax 020 7035 4745.”

To download/view the model letter to Phil Taylor, please click here (Word .doc, 30Kb.)
To download/view the model letter to Alan Johnson, please click here (Word .doc, 27Kb.)

Please circulate the message text to all friends and colleagues. Contact Moira McCombe at email: nicras@hotmail.co.uk. Message originator is Elizabeth Griffith, email: elizabeth.griffith@lawcentreni.org - who states, “Also I urgently need someone to be a point of contact for Mohammed and to pursue this with the political parties which have already expressed an interest. I am going away tonight until 10th April and I won’t have regular access to email. Can anyone help?! You would need to keep in contact with Mohammed (via email) and keep him updated of any developments. Please let me know asap. I don’t want Mohammed to feel as if he has been abandoned!”

Monday 29th March 2010
Belfast City Council, Grants and Funding - Reminder! - Grants to help fund events and community activities throughout Belfast:
Peace III Shared Cultural Space Funding
BCC is inviting applications from organisations with a track record in delivering high quality, large scale cultural festivals (with an audience reach of at least 10,000 people) to deliver a festival between 1 June 2010 and 30 June 2011 (the maximum amount of funding available per organisation under this call is £25,000). Deadline: 12 noon on Thursday 1st April 2010. Webpage Link
Community Festivals Fund
This fund supports the positive work of community festivals through activities such as exhibitions, family fun days, historical talks and concerts. Closing date: 12 noon on Friday 9th April 2010. Webpage Link
Community safety small grants
Applications for these grants are open to groups from the community and voluntary sectors. Community safety is about working together to reduce crime, the fear of crime and antisocial behaviour. Closing date: 12 noon on Friday 9th April 2010. Webpage Link.
Revenue Grant 2010/11
Groups from within the community sector are invited to apply for BCC’s Revenue Grant 2010/11 - serving as a contribution to the running costs of community buildings which deliver a wide range of activities in their local communities. The closing date for applications is 4.00pm on Thursday 15th April 2010 (groups who already receive this grant should not apply). Webpage Link.
Culture & Arts Rolling Programme
This Rolling Programme provides small grants to support innovation in arts and heritage. Grants range from £500 to £3,000. Open throughout the year. Webpage Link.
Support for Sport - hospitality funding for sports events
This grant offers support for athletes and officials taking part in major sporting events in Belfast. It also celebrates excellence in achievement by competitors from Belfast. Open throughout the year. Webpage Link.
Support for Sport - small development and equipment grants
If your sports club or community organisation is fully constituted, you can apply to BCC for funding of up to £1,000 per year. BCC also offers an one-off equipment grant of up to £250 for new clubs or new sections within existing clubs, for example, a youth or ladies' section. Open throughout the year. Webpage Link.

From Denise Wright - Monday 1st March 2010
Free English Language Classes - Free English Language Classes for speakers of other languages.
There are two classes - Beginner and Higher. Both take place at 1.00pm on Tuesdays at Belfast Metropolitan College, College Square East, Belfast BT1 6DJ. The classes last for two hours and all levels of ability are welcome.
The courses are free and there is no need to be enrolled at the college or have any previous English learning experience.

From Lisa Schenk - Wednesday 10th February 2010
CWA Youth Programme - Seeking Volunteers - Lisa Schenk, Youth Worker at the Chinese Welfare Association, needs volunteers to help with the programmes below.

Homework support ( 11-18). This is designed to help young people with either their home or coursework , and will be most beneficial for those who find English difficult. This will be running every Monday from 3:30pm-5:30pm and Thursday from 3:30pm-5:30pm at CWA (1 Stranmillis Embankment, Belfast).
GY ( Generation-Y) is our youth group, for 11-18 years old and is made up of young people from the Chinese community, local community and other ethnic minority groups. GY provides a base were young people can meet, socialise, build friendships, gain new skills and experiences, and have some fun along the way!! This is open every Saturday from 1:30pm-4pm at CWA.
Culture Crosslinks is our cross-cultural, creative art youth program (dance, drama, art and singing) for 14-20 year olds. It seeks to break down barriers and address misconceptions regarding race, faith, culture and community. It is a partnership between the Chinese Welfare Association (CWA), East Belfast Christian Fellowship Church (CFC) and Youth Initiatives (YI), based in West Belfast. Every Monday at 7pm-9 pm at CFC (Christian fellowship church, East Belfast) Pick up in the Belfast City centre at Great Victoria Street Presbyterian Church (the Pink church!!), Shaftesbury Square at 6:45 pm.

If you are interesting in volunteering for any of these programmes or would like any information, please contact: Lisa Schenk, Tel: 028 90288277; Fax: 028 90288278; email: youth@cwa-ni.org.

From Denise Wright - Wednesday 3rd February 2010
The Beat Initiative Carnival Taster Sessions - As a key objective - for Carnival 2010 - the Beat Initiative, Belfast Carnival Centre, wants to involve more individuals and groups from ethnic minorities and new communities living in Belfast.
In the coming weeks it hopes to have some Carnival taster sessions with groups to encourage them to get involved in the fuller Carnival programme from April onwards. There are a limited number of sessions currently available. Please click here (Word .doc, 69Kb.) for the registration form and more information. Email: workshops@belfastcarnival.com or phone: 028 9043 4767

From Denise Wright - Monday 1st February 2010
APEL course in Community Development - The University of Ulster is now offering an Accreditation for Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) course in Community Development at Magee and Jordanstown Campuses. This is an opportunity for all those working or volunteering in the community sector to gain an accredited qualification which can lead to direct entry into the second year of the BSc (Hons) in Community Development. For an application form and further details contact: Sharon Adams, Tel: 028 9036 6680, email: sb.adams@ulster.ac.uk (Administrator) or Isy Hawthorne-Steele, Tel: 028 9036 8546/028 7137 5099, email: i.hawthorne@ulster.ac.uk or Rosemary Moreland, 028 9036 8333, email: rj.moreland@ulster.ac.uk. Click here for information document (Word .doc, 25Kb.).

From Maeve McKeag - Friday 8th January 2010
GEMS Learning Language for Work - GEMS Learning Language for Work will be restarting on Wednesday 13th January 2010. Classes will be held every Wednesday and Friday, 9.30am - 12.30pm.
The first class will be in GEMS’ offices in Ascot House and subsequently in the Markets Community Centre.
In addition to the above classes, a Conversation Class will start on Monday 18th January 2010 - to give Language for Work participants an opportunity to further practice their English. For more information, please contact Maeve at 9033 2313, email: maeve.mckeag@gemsni.org.uk. Website Link

From Sheelagh Colclough (via Denise Wright) - Tuesday 8th December 2009.
WheelWorks ArtCart - Message extract: “...we have received funding from the Arts Council for this period [until September 2010] and are able to offer eligible groups discounts on ArtCart workshops, as well offering 'drop in' style workshops in digital music making and digital imaging we can also deliver short courses or structured workshops in digital animation, web design and light writing. We always do our best to facilitate any other requests or special themes.” “If you are interested in ArtCart workshops at your centre or for a special event or project please get in touch. Costs are available on request.” Web link.

Thursday 12th November 2009
What can we do to tackle child poverty in Northern Ireland? - is the title of a report published today by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, authored by Goretti Horgan from the University of Ulster and Marina Monteith from Save the Children (Northern Ireland), which explores the challenges faced by the Northern Ireland Assembly in meeting its target of eradicating child poverty. [From the JRF website] The report found that persistent poverty in Northern Ireland (21% before housing costs) is more than double that in Great Britain (9% before housing costs). View/download the report summary by licking here (.pdf format, 309Kb).
The report points to four main reasons for higher persistent poverty in Northern Ireland:

High levels of worklessness: 31 per cent of the working-age population is not in paid work, higher than any GB region and 6 per cent higher than the GB average.
High rates of disability and limiting long-term illness, especially mental ill-health.
Low wages: the median wage for men working full-time is 85 per cent of that for British men.
Poor-quality part-time jobs and obstacles to mothers working.

The authors recommend that the Assembly works on six key areas:

Increasing the supply of well-paid, good quality jobs
Supporting those already in work to increase their qualification levels
Alleviating the worst impacts of poverty on children
Addressing the lack of quality affordable childcare
Increasing educational attainment
Providing access to leisure and social activities for poorer young people

Julia Unwin, Chief Executive of the JRF, said: “The Assembly has already shown that it is possible to intervene to alleviate some of the worst aspects of poverty. Just as it provided the one-off fuel payment of £150 to families on benefit in winter 2008/09, it could make it easier for people to take 'mini-jobs', allowing those living on benefits to provide a little extra for their families. School budgets need to provide for all the costs of education including books, school trips and after-school activities. It must also address ways of giving poorer young people access to positive social and leisure activities.”

Tuesday 10th November 2009
Donegall Pass Community Forum welcomes the IFI announcement to support the Cromac Regeneration Initiative Project with £800,000 capital funding. The money will provide the Project with the bulk of the capital needed to purchase and refurbish the former South Belfast Economic Resource Centre located at the Ormeau Road end of Donegall Pass – opposite the Gasworks site. (Web page link)
“This very welcome funding, with the additional award of over £130,000 to enable us to employ an inter-community worker with programme funds, will allow the Forum, together with our partners – the Lower Ormeau Residents’ Action Group and the Markets Development Association – to deliver Peace and Reconciliation Programmes and Social Economy Projects within and between the three Inner South Belfast Interface Communities”, said Elaine Mansfield, Donegall Pass Community Forum’s Development Manager.
The Forum’s Chairperson, Mr Harry Todd, expressed his delight and commented, “For the first time the residents of Donegall Pass community will own a share of an asset worth several hundreds of thousands of pounds and have access to a valuable income stream, independent of public funding. The employment of an interface worker will promote and drive the Cromac Regeneration Initiative’s work in conflict transformation and support inter-community partnership work, community relations interventions and reconciliation, identify, secure and develop shared space and work towards a shared future, an embedded peace and inclusive community.”
Elaine Mansfield added that “the Project will be an asset to all three neighbouring communities and will enhance the work being carried out jointly through our Neighbourhood Action Plan.”
The project is now seeking approximately £230,000 in match funding to finalise the purchase and refurbishment of the building.

From Chris O’Halloran, Belfast Interface Project - Thursday 29th October 2009
Summary: A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. “Please find attached for your information (click here, pdf 404Kb) a document forwarded to us by Miriam Titterington at the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC), intended to promote a greater understanding of NIHRC’s recommendations on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.
“Miriam informs that an easy read version is about to be put on NIHRC’s website (www.nihrc.org) where you can also access the full advice document published 10th December 2008. The attached summary, however, contains all the recommendations and may be easier to find your way around.
“NIHRC has also prepared materials for schools and, if interested, you could contact their Education Worker, Deirdre McAliskey, at the same number below, about whether these can be adapted for use by youth groups.”
Contacts: Miriam Titterton, Development Worker; Deirdre McAliskey, Education Worker, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Temple Court, 39 North Street, Belfast BT1 1NA. Tel: 028 9024 3987; Textphone: 028 9024 9066; Fax: 028 9024 7844; SMS:07786202075; Email: miriam.titterton@nihrc.org”

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