Good Relations
Good Relations challenges sectarianism, racism, celebrates our rich cultural diversity and tries to find ways for us all to be able to live, work and socialise together without fear or mistrust.
Ards and North Down Borough Council is committed to promoting equality and good relations for everyone in the Borough. Equality, inclusivity, and diversity are placed at the core of all of the Council’s services and actions, as it strives to work towards achieving a shared future for all.
The Council delivers the Good Relations Programme as part of the N.I. Executive Offices’ wider ‘Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC)’ Strategy. It is funded jointly by the Executive Office and the Council. The key aims of the programme are to improve relations between and within District Council areas and to support local solutions to local good relations issues.
The Good Relations Programme works towards building relationships and working with all communities across the Ards and North Down Borough area. The Good Relations Programme is based on the Together: Building a United Community Strategy.
An example of this can be seen in this short animation: Ards and North Down Good Relations: A Game of Three Halves - YouTube
The Good Relations Team at Ards and North Down Borough Council in collaboration with NEEP pictures have recently produced thought-provoking animated videos on Racism and Sectarianism, why these issues still exist and what we as communities can do to tackle them.
- Watch the Good Relations - Racism Animation - YouTube
- Watch the Good Relations - Sectarianism Animation - YouTube
New Programmes
To mark Holocaust Memorial Day in January 2023, Good Relations will be running a programme of events.
From Tuesday 17th January - Sunday 29th January, Bangor Carnegie Library will host a Good Relations Holocaust exhibition showcasing the work from local schools and community groups. The theme of the exhibition is Ordinary People. Please call in during Library opening hours: Bangor Carnegie Library (librariesni.org.uk)
On Wednesday 25 January the team will host a child survivor of the Holocaust in Bangor Town Hall at 7pm. Registration for this in-person event will be on a first come, first served basis.
Subsequent genocides will be commemorated with a series of online talks from survivors. These will be held via Zoom on:
- Monday 23 January - Srebrenica/Bosnia
- Tuesday 24 January - Rwanda/Tutsi
- Thursday 26 January - Cambodia
- Friday 27 January - Darfur
Times: 7pm-8.30pm
To register for any or all of the talks please email goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
December 2022
Deaf Awareness with Anthony Sinclair on Thursday 15 December - 12 - 1pm
Please note, this will be a hybrid event, held at Ards Blair Mayne Wellbeing and Leisure Complex or via MS Teams.
About the Presenter: Anthony SInclair
Anthony set up and runs Sign Source learning, a business that has evolved from his passion and his mission is to "create a more inclusive and informed society by offering excellent, engaging and accessible sign language learning solutions for everyone”: in other words, “to introduce everyone in the UK to #BSL and create an aware and #inclusive society”
An Olympic gold medalist in tennis, Anthony believes in a holistic approach to education and his love of movement and sport is evident and embedded into all the
teaching strategies he uses in the classroom. He is qualified teacher holding a PGCE in BSL.
In the first ever hybrid 'It Takes Allsorts', please join us in person at Ards Blair Mayne's Dusty Millar room or online via MS Teams. Tea & Coffee are provided for those attending in person. To register for this event, please email: goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
November 2022: Join the Good Relations team for "A Deep Dive into Diversity!"
This four-week online programme exploring diversity in our society. Topics include Inclusive Language, LGBTQ+, Disabilities and Immigration.
Programme will be delivered via Zoom on Wednesday 9, 16, 23 and 30 November, 7.15pm to 8.30pm.
To register your interest contact goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
Good Relations Week 2022
Good Relations Week 2022 takes place from Monday 19th to Sunday 25th September 2022. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘‘Change Starts With Us’ as we focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to highlight the political, social, economic, and environmental challenges we face as a region.
The Ards and North Down Good Relations team invites you to mark the week by joining them at the following events:
- Screening of Quo Vadis, Aida? A short film produced in conjunction with Remembering Srebrenica
The screening will be held at the Web Theatre, Newtownards on Wednesday 21 September 2022. Doors open 7pm, film starts at 7.30pm - Remembering the Future: A Reflection on Northern Ireland and the Decade of Centenaries 1912-1922
An online event held via Zoom on Thursday 22 September 2022 at 7pm**
(**Update: Due to unforeseen circumstances this talk advertised previously with Dr Éamon Phoenix will now be presented by Dr Russell Rees.)
If interested in either of these events, please email goodrelations@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk to register your place.
Other Programmes
Shared Voices Programme - *Volunteer Opportunity*
We are currently recruiting volunteers for our Shared Voices programme. If you are a 1st or 2nd generation immigrant to Northern Ireland and would like to share your story please visit Be Collective (hosted by Volunteer Now) for more information on this great volunteering opportunity, You can learn more about the Shared Voices Programme below.
What is the Shared Voices Programme?
The Shared Voices programme was developed with the assistance of First and Second generation immigrant volunteers and is aimed primarily at raising awareness of the diversity within our society.
What is the aim of the Shared Voices programme?
The Shared Voices programme aims to assist Good Relations and work towards making the Ards and North Down Borough a shared and safe place for all.
Listen to local volunteer Maela talking about why she volunteers for the Shared Voices programme: GR Shared Voices Volunteer Maela - YouTube
Who is the programme for?
The programme is aimed primarily at young people from P5 upwards, primarily in a school environment during 30 minute periods but can be adapted to be delivered within a community setting to smaller groups and to different age groups. Times can be adjusted to what is available.