Events will be held in Derry next week as part of Community Relations and Cultural Awareness Week.
They are being organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council.
Running from Monday, September 19, to Friday, September 23, the theme of this year’s event is ‘Building the Future Together’ and will focus particularly on youth.
The council’s Community Relations Officer Carol Stewart urged local people to come out and support the events.
“This week is a highlight of our year,” she said.
“It allows us to demonstrate some of the work that goes on locally to support the Together: Building a United Community strategy and is an opportunity to celebrate all aspects of our culture and heritage, to promote cultural diversity and help tackle sectarianism and racism.
“It provides a platform for organisations and groups from the community and voluntary sectors, arts, culture, sport, education to showcase innovative approaches to good relations and building a united and shared community.
“The initiative can only succeed through the engagement of the wider public and I would urge people to get involved by attending and contributing to the events next week.”
A total of eight council events will help explore how all members of our society can shape the future to be a positive space in which diversity is celebrated.
The programme begins on Monday with a discussion on Community Planning and the launch of the Foyle Race Equality Forum at the Guildhall before the focus turns to Tullyally on Tuesday afternoon where some of the positive work going on at interface areas will be highlighted.
On Wednesday groups will leave both Derry and Strabane to learn more about the shared history of the Battle of the Somme at the Somme Heritage Centre in County Down before an event in Bready on Thursday will hear about some of the success stories from the Council’s Good Relations Grant Aid programme.
The week concludes on Friday with two events aimed at integrating the recently arrived Syrian refugees into our region where they will meet with local people and share stories, perspectives and cultures.
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