| The two-day ‘Improving Community Relations: Sharing Practice’ conference began in the Radisson Roe Hotel, Limavady, on Tuesday, March 1.
Funding for the conference was provided by the Department of Education.
Addressing the 50 teachers and other delegates from across the Province, Duncan Morrow said: “ Perhaps the most important challenge facing young people today is learning to relate to other people in an increasingly diverse society.
“Skills like dialogue, learning with and from others and expressing opinions clearly but without violence or threat are no longer optional but critical tools for successful adults. Schools and youth organisations should be places which promote these capacities and values through their structures, curriculum and staff training.”
Patricia Blackman - Southern Education and Library Board – speaking on behalf of the Interboard Schools Community Relations Support Panel, said the sharing of experiences would be beneficial for teachers who could bring back what they learned to other colleagues.
Mrs Blackman said: “ This conference provided a valuable opportunity for teachers to share models of good practice which will be used in the development of new guidance materials for principals and teachers in the area of community relations.”
Speaking at the conference, Louise Warde Hunter, Head of Community Relations in the Department of Education, said how inspired she was by the dedication and enthusiasm of everyone taking part in the conference.
Addressing the delegates, Ms Warde Hunter said: “When the Schools Community Relations Programme was reviewed in 2002 several strengths were identified and in particular the continued commitment and dedication of teachers. Your presence here today proves that this is still the case. But clearly commitment and dedication are not enough. Teachers also want and need advice and guidance on how to progress community relations programmes. They want opportunities to share best practice and support and inspire each other as catalysts within their own schools. It was with this in mind that the Department was delighted to be able to provide the funding for this two-day conference."
Pictured at the two-day ‘Improving Community Relations: Sharing Practice’ conference organized by Northern Ireland ’s five Education and Library Boards. Front row (from left) Phyllis Richardson, Department of Education; Duncan Morrow, Chief Executive of the Community Relations Council; June Neill, Western Education and Library Board; (back row) Professor Alan Smith, Chair of UNESCO Centre at the University of Ulster; Hazel Mc Cullough, a teacher at Tullycarnet Primary School in the South Eastern Education and Library Board area; Ashley McClean, a teacher at Edenderry Primary School, Portadown, in the Southern Education and Library Board area.
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