Good Relations Programmes Supported by the Council

January 28, 2016

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council through its Good Relations programme is supporting two Open College Network Level 2 programmes during February and March of this year, which are free of charge to attend.

The ‘Getting to Know the Institutions’ course is being run by Rural Community Network (RCN) and over the course of six weeks will look at the key role institutions play in community development and peace building.

The ‘Mediation Theory & Practice’ six week course will offer participants the opportunity to learn about the nature of conflict, understand the causes of conflict both in everyday situations and on a community level.

Alderman Paul Porter, Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, speaking about the courses, said: “These courses are designed to promote a greater understanding of different cultures. I would encourage anyone with an interest in either of these courses to express their interest through the Council’s Good Relations programme.

“The ‘Getting to Know the Institutions’ is a mystery tour approach as participants will be collected from a centre point and taken to one of the institutions. There are a number of institutions that may form part of this programme including Presbyterian Church, Gaelic Athletic Association, Women’s Institute, Young Farmers Clubs, Catholic Church, Masonics, Orange Order and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

“Participants will gain an understanding of methods for addressing or preventing unhealthy conflict on the ‘Mediation Theory & Practice’ course held in the Bridge Community Centre in addition to learning the basic skills of mediative communication,” concluded Alderman Porter.

The Council’s Good Relations programme receives financial support from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) and is committed to building effective relationships among citizens.

Further information of course dates is available by clicking here or by telephoning 028 9250 9492 about the institutions course or 028 9049 4522 about the mediation course.