People from the Carrickfergus, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council areas are soon to have the opportunity to engage with one another on a range of challenging issues. As a part of its Peace III Strategy & Action Plan, the CAN Peace III Partnership has commissioned Holywell Consultancy to develop and deliver the Dialogue and Civic Leadership Programme. The Programme is part financed by the EU’s PEACE III Programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the CAN (Carrickfergus, Antrim and Newtownabbey) Peace III Partnership.
This programme has a number of key elements that will encourage dialogue to take place within and between local communities from the three council areas. The Dialogue and Civic Leadership Programme is focused on improving the confidence and empowering communities to deal with the challenges of sectarianism and racism.
The Programme will have four key strands:
• Stand Alone Dialogue Sessions – Dialogue sessions held throughout the Council areas. The sessions will be open to the public and will encourage increased dialogue among the communities and three Boroughs.
• Area Development Programme Sessions – Dialogue sessions held in the Peace III priority target areas (Bawnmore/Longlands, Rathcoole, Glenfield/Castlemara, Woodburn/Clipperstown, Toome & Randalstown and the Stiles Way Axis). These sessions will use community dialogue to address the unique issues and challenges within these areas.
• Sustained Dialogue Programme – A sustained dialogue process amongst community leaders and stakeholders.
• Publication of a booklet outlining the work and process of the Dialogue and Civic Leadership Programme
The Stand Alone Dialogue Sessions and Area Development Programme Sessions will be open, public sessions. The Sustained Dialogue Programme will consist of a core group of participants committed to participating in the process from start to end.
21 participants throughout the Boroughs of Carrickfergus, Antrim and Newtownabbey will participate in the sustained dialogue programme. It is hoped that the participants will be a mix of community activists, church representatives, elected representatives and other key community leaders and stakeholders.
We hope to help encourage the establishment of long-lasting relationships through the Sustained Dialogue Programme allowing community dialogue to become a common tool for addressing sectarianism and racism. A serious of engagements are currently underway with community leaders to ensure that the programme addresses the issues of most importance to the community.
Holywell Consultancy is currently looking for people interested in participating in the Sustained Dialogue Programme. Participants should be committed to participating in the residential (over the next few months) and monthly dialogue sessions (until March 2011).
If you are interested in participating in the Sustained Dialogue Programme please completed this online form. For more information, please contact us at 028 7126 7997 or info@holywellconsultancy.com.
The deadline for the receipt of completed forms is 16th July 2010.