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Paddy Leonard, 15 Jul
Mayor Sandra Duffy was the special guest at the REACH Across Shared
History finale event, highlighting all the work, achievements and
participation of young people from throughout the North West, in
helping to create greater under- standing of the damage caused by
conflict, as well as the benefits of integration and cross-community
friendships.
Held at the North West Regional College, over 250 participants brought
the curtain down on a year-long series of courses, workshops and events
that were part of a Shared History, Shared Learning Project - funded by
the Shared History Fund and delivered by the Heritage Fund on behalf of
the Northern Ireland Office to mark the Centenary of Northern Ireland.
During the project, REACH Across planned, delivered and evaluated
shared learning sessions involving schools and youth clubs throughout
the North West, as well as shared history workshops, education visits
to local cultural and historical locations and an activity residential,
to develop contact established during the programme.
Groups participating in the project were also invited to design and
produce items with a Shared History focus and this included canvas
paintings, small furniture, garden planters and even a project-related
song.
Children from the Model Primary School taking part in one of Alan
Warke’s drumming sessions.
Jamie McNulty, Shared History education officer, said she was delighted
with the project and the wide and varied number of young people who
participated.
She added: “The project also included learning days for local primary
schools and included guided tours of the City Walls and local museums,
as well as performances by Highland dancers, Irish dancers and the
Londonderry Bands Forum.
“Additional workshops and events included Theatre of Witness workshops
for project Volunteers and also project participants and Human Library
sessions that informed young people of cultural and social prejudices
in Northern Ireland.
“Other events included a hair and make-up workshop that compared styles
over a 100 years and Peace Line tours to help young people have a
better understanding of the consequences of conflict and the ongoing
need for 'peace Walls'.”
Over the past year, REACH Across have worked with 249 young people from
the primary, post-primary and youth sectors, during a year that was
still affected by school and youth club restrictions.
Jim McGreevy, Northern Ireland committee member, speaking at the event,
said: ‘The Heritage Fund is delighted to support the REACH Across
Shared Learning Project through the Shared History Fund.”
He added: “We are delivering the Shared History Fund on behalf of the
Northern Ireland Office to help a wide range of groups mark the
centenary of Northern Ireland in a thoughtful, inclusive and engaging
way.
Mayor Sandra Duffy pictured with organisers, speakers and participants.
“This project is one of 39 projects funded through the programme and
will help a wide range of people explore the key events and moments in
Northern Ireland’s history.’
REACH Across and associate schools and youth clubs, would like to thank
the Heritage Fund for providing a grant that would improve community
relations amongst local young people and help participants to
understand our troubled past and to be more active in our shared
future.