Press Releases

Hate Crime Initiative Launch starts off Community Relations Week

30th April 2007

Hate Crime Initiative Launch starts off Community Relations Week

An event to launch a Northern Ireland Housing Executive initiative to tackle hate crime will kick off the biggest week in the community relations calendar this morning (April 30). The event at Springfarm Community House within Antrim’s Springfarm estate is the first event in Community Relations Week 2007, which includes more than 150 events across Northern Ireland.

Beginning at 10am, it will showcase the community relations work of Springfarm Community Development Association and see the launch of a special hate crime leaflet created by the Housing Executive.

Thousands of people will participate in Community Relations Week (April 30 and May 6). The week, which will feature activities in every county and in every council area, is organised each year by the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council (CRC).

CRC Chief Executive Duncan Morrow says that Community Relations Week showcases the important work that is taking place in our communities to support the transformation from our still divided, post-conflict society to a genuinely shared future.

“We are delighted to start Community Relations Week with this important event in Antrim which aims to tackle the difficult issue of sectarian and racist abuse,” he says.

“The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has numerous innovative projects to help alleviate tensions at peacelines and to support communities build links across the divide. This is another significant initiative to support the building of a shared future and to ensure that people in Northern Ireland can live side-by-side without the threat of intimidation or violence,” Dr Morrow continues.

NIHE Chief Executive Paddy McIntyre says: “Delivering our Good Relations Strategy is a priority and we have made significant progress through the work of the Community Cohesion Unit. Building good relations is about respecting diversity and making our housing areas more welcoming to all.  New neighbours to Northern Ireland make a valuable contribution to our communities. Today is about demonstrating how we support residents to build a peaceful, inclusive community.”

Community Relations Week will feature around 150 events in all 26 local council areas. Events have been organised, by CRC, the Northern Ireland Policing Board, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, the One Small Step Campaign and by dozens of other public, voluntary and community organisations.

Dr Morrow continues: “We have seen considerable political developments in recent weeks and months and numerous extremely positive signals emanating from our politicians. We must continue to underpin and encourage this political progress with work in the community to build relationships and trust. The events taking place during Community Relations Week are extremely positive examples of how this is being done,” he says.

“The events of the week, of course, are only a snapshot of what goes on throughout the year. Peace building has been ongoing in local communities for decades, where ordinary people have taken small steps forward and such initiatives, often unsung, continue to improve lives in Northern Ireland and help in the transformation towards a more shared future for us all,” Dr Morrow adds.

A full listing of Community Relations Week events is available at www.nicrc.org.uk and printed programmes are available in local libraries.

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Media contact:

Chris Harrison, Dorothy Hawe or Kathryn Kirk, JPR: 028 9076 0066 or 077 6641 7550