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07 September 2006

The Community Relations Council deeply regrets the sad news of the death after a brief illness of Dr James Hawthorne

PRESS RELEASE

7 September 2006

Death of Dr James Hawthorne

The Community Relations Council deeply regrets the sad news of the death after a brief illness of Dr James Hawthorne. Dr Hawthorne was the first and founding Chairman of the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council from 1989 to his retirement after two terms of office in January 1996. Previously NI Controller of the BBC Dr Hawthorne brought knowledge, experience and influence to the work of the Council in its early formative years as staff and Council Members were being appointed and its work programme was being developed.

Duncan Morrow, the Council's current Chief Executive, says:

“Dr Hawthorne's cheerful and enthusiastic style and his ability to engage in discussion with people of all backgrounds was a major asset to the Council as it sought to influence people in dealing with the difficult issues of sectarianism. He had a key role in shaping the initiative that became the Community Relations Council.”

“In particular Dr Hawthorne had a commitment to promoting greater respect and understanding of the diversity of local identity. In the late 1980's, before the formation of the Council, he chaired the Cultural Traditions Group which sought to encourage the exploration of diversity. He had a strong interest in local history and in the late 1960's had broadcast one the earliest recorded BBC radio programmes on Ulster history.”

As Chair Dr Hawthorne brought together as a Council a range of individuals from very different political, professional and social backgrounds. He represented the Council in meetings with senior politicians and government officials to advance support for community relations work. He led the Council in delegations to Westminster and in 1995 headed a presentation to the Irish Forum for Peace and Reconciliation in Dublin Castle. He oversaw the receipt of the first tranche of funding from the European Community's Peace and Reconciliation Programme in December 1995.

After his retirement from the Council he continued to provide occasional support on the Council's grant appeal panels and was a regular public speaker at Council events.

For further information

Contact

Ray Mullan

CRC Director of Communications

Tel 90 227500

or 07753 724484