Northern Ireland Community Relations Council - About Us - Press Releases

30 August 2000

Celebrating Diversity

"In Northern Ireland we often forget just how complex our identity actually is, or how diverse a community we are". This is the view of the staff of the Cultural Diversity Programme of the Community Relations Council which today launches an education resource pack designed to challenge stereotypes and encourage a positive approach to difference.

The education pack, 'Who Do You Think They Are?', uses the portraits and biographical details of six local people to illustrate the complexity and diversity of identity, and in particular to challenge gender, disability and cultural stereotypes.. The examples include:

Tim McGarry, Bobby Rai-Purdy, George Fleming, Aisleain McGill, Gordon McCoy and Janet Gray. Tim McGarry is best known as a member of the Hole in the Wall Gang, George Fleming as a local artist and Janet Gray as a former Sportswoman of the Year.

The education pack has been written for use by the business sector, community sector, schools and youth groups as part of training and education programmes to promote understanding and respect for diversity. Tutors and participants are urged to add to the samples used in the resource pack and to include other materials which celebrate our diverse community.

The pack is being launched at Spires Conference Centre at 1pm. and copies are available from the Community Relations Council.

For further information contact: Brian Mullan or Tony Langlois, Cultural Diversity Programme, Community Relations Council, Tel: (028) 9022 7500 bmullan@community-relations.org.uk