Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Press Releases

09 November 2000

Community Relations Report

The Community Relations Council (CRC) launches its 10^th Annual Report today (Thursday) in an event which also marks the official opening in Derry of The Junction, a community relations resource centre for use by voluntary and community groups in the North West, supported by Derry City Council, CRC and NIVT.

The Report launch marks the Community Relations Council's 10^th year of operation and Chairman Jonathan Bardon, speaking at the launch, underlines the Council's efforts over the last ten years to promote meaningful dialogue and co-operation beyond the political sphere against a background of inter-communal violence.

"The Community Relations Council occupies a central position in a complex network of groups and organisations concerned to reduce sectarianism," said Dr Bardon. "Much bitterness and distrust still exists, and the Council will be doing all in its power to assist the healing process."

Last year CRC gave grant support to the value of over £3million (including over £1.3 million from the European Peace Programme) to 455 projects, mostly run by voluntary and community groups. It has also proactively engaged other organisations in community relations initiatives. Its work with the Apprentice Boys of Derry, for example, has contributed to more peaceful parades in that city. CRC has also formed partnerships with statutory bodies and business groups in promoting community relations initiatives such as the community environmental project Creating Common Ground with Groundwork NI and the NI Housing Executive.

CRC Chief Executive Will Glendinning adds:

"The Council notes the importance attached to community relations in the Northern Ireland Executive's Draft Programme for Government and regards this as further recognition of the important work which the Council has been supporting and promoting for the last ten years. In addition, the development of 'good relations' by public bodies across religious, political and ethnic barriers, as part of their Equality Schemes, is an area in which CRC, and community relations, has a crucial role to play. The Council looks forward to working with the Equality Commission and the public bodies to help promote these key values in our diverse and contested society."

The CRC Annual Report will be launched on Thursday 9 November at 12.30 pm at The Junction, 8 Bishop Street, Derry. The mayor of Derry and other councillors will be present.

For further information contact: Ray Mullan, CRC Communications Director, Tel: 028 9022 7500 (not on Thursday) or Will Glendinning , CRC Chief Executive, tel (mobile) 07710-174754

For information on the Junction contact: Maureen Hetherington, community relations officer, Derry City Council, tel 028 71 365151 or Terry McCloskey, The Junction Co-ordinator, tel: 028 71 361942