Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration Youth Friendly Version

This document gives the headlines of what is covered in the full document, if you would like a copy of the full document visit our website: www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk or download it from: www.participationnetwork.org/downloads/PCSI/CSIsept10.pdf Policy Secretariat OFMDFM Room E3. 19 Castle Buildings Stormont Estate BELFAST BT4 3SR

Tel: 028 9052 8497 or 028 9052 8287 policysec@ofmdfmni.gov.uk

In the following sections we have set out: Some background information What we aim to do We will then ask what you think of our plans and what else we could be doing You can go through each section or concentrate on those you are most interested in. a) People and places b) Empowering the next generation c) Respecting cultures d) A secure community e) A cohesive community f) Supporting local communities g) Looking outward

Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration A: People and places

Background information In surveys 92% of people here say they would prefer to work in a mixed religion workplace. In 2009, 62% of people said they would prefer to send their children to a mixed religion school. Over 700 foreign investors and many UK and Ireland companies have located their businesses here some investors can still be put off by negative images of our divided community. Many people living in areas which suffered most during the conflict continue to have the poorest health. In 2009, 80% of people here said they preferred to live in a mixed religion neighbourhood, 87% were in favour of greater mixing in sports and leisure activities. Fifteen areas in Belfast are rated as the most deprived of these, fourteen are single identity communities (mostly Protestant or mostly Catholic). 88% of people believe that Northern Ireland is not yet free from displays of sectarian aggression Creating shared spaces and facilities is also important in rural areas.

Our aims Public spaces, thoroughfares, community facilities and town centres should be safe, shared and welcoming to the whole community; All public authorities, including District Councils, should do their work and provide services equally and inclusively. They should recognise the variety of people in the community they serve and the barriers which can be experienced by minority ethnic people in particular; Services should be provided because they are needed in a community and should be shared by all communities. Safe and secure shared community spaces should be developed in a culture of fairness, equality, rights, responsibilities and respect; Displays of flags and emblems, graffiti or murals, parades or public assemblies or festivals should be held in an environment which respects individual and community rights. Do you agree with these aims? Why? / Why not? Is there anything else we should be doing?

Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration

B: Empowering the next generation Background information In 2007, 24% of young people said they were worried about being assaulted due to their religion, 13% were worried they would be attacked due to their race or skin colour In 2007, 10% of young people had been the victims of name-calling or harassment because of their religion This programme (CSI) will place importance on engaging young people and communities in long term work to reduce prejudice, promote rights and responsibilities and build a culture of mutual respect The Department of Justice will take the lead on reducing the risk of young people becoming involved in hate crime The Department of Education has an important part to play in promoting good relations and has developed a new Community Relations, Equality and Diversity in Education policy In empowering the next generation we must recognise the range of issues and challenges that face young people in all aspects of their lives. The Department of Employment and Learning is researching the experiences and needs of young people who are not in education, employment or training. These young people can face a variety of barriers and challenges.

Our aims The Ministerial Panel which will be in charge of this programme will set up a major project to ensure long term help for marginalised young people; Supporting young people to increase their civic responsibility helping youth groups to work together on civic responsibility projects; Focusing on education and promoting greater understanding of shared values; Having agencies work together to address the needs of young people from local, minority ethnic and migrant worker communities. Do you agree with these aims? Why? / Why not? Is there anything else we should be doing?

Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration

C: Respecting cultures Background information We believe all people have the right to live free from sectarian, racial or other forms of harassment and we recognise, promote and respect rights and embrace diversity. All sections of our community should feel comfortable expressing their cultural identity. This should include established traditions, minority ethnic groups and new people coming here to live and work. A survey in 2009 showed that 95% of both Catholics and Protestants said they respected each others culture. Promoting respect for newcomers, Irish travellers and children from the Roma community is a particular priority for the Department of Education. The number of sectarian and racist incidents and crimes has reduced in recent years but attacks on GAA halls and Orange halls have increased. The Community Festivals Fund helps communities to celebrate their cultural identity those supported have to demonstrate their commitment to inclusion and equality. Tourism supports over 40,000 jobs here. Potential visitors are less worried about their safety than they used to be but their concerns can increase when there are community tensions.

Our aims Building a peaceful climate of fairness, equality, rights, responsibilities and respect; Working with and supporting the local community to resolve disagreements about cultural issues; Promoting greater understanding of cultural diversity and expressions of cultural identity; Encouraging more engagement with, and understanding of, diversity and relations between cultures; Working to stop attacks on cultural, sporting and other symbolic property and monuments; Promoting cultural exchanges, joint events and tourism initiatives.

Do you agree with these aims? Why? / Why not? Is there anything else we should be doing?

Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration

D: A secure community Background information In 2009, 27% of Protestants and 28% of Catholics said they would avoid working in an area where most people were of the other religion. 57% of people in 2009 said the Government had not made town centres safe and welcoming to all people. Local communities can help by removing racist and sectarian graffiti and paramilitary flags and murals. The PSNI reports that recently sectarian incidents increased by 15.4% and racist incidents by 4.8% Sectarian behaviour at sports events is also of concern, new laws are being created to deal with this. Transport can play a part in promoting good relations by connecting sections of the community and providing neutral shared space.

Our aims Encouraging community events which reflect cultural variety and are open, welcoming and inclusive to all; Ensuring that agencies continue to provide a high level of community safety delivered in line with rights and mutual respect; Continuing to promote initiatives based on mutual respect, which reflect acceptance of cultural variety and the ways in which it is expressed; Building community support networks across community, cultural and minority ethnic groups; Helping local and minority ethnic communities to support people who have experienced hate crime.

Do you agree with these aims? Why? / Why not? Is there anything else we should be doing?

Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration

E: A cohesive community Background information It is important that all aspects of our society are inclusive. The Health and social care sector has polices to promote equality, good relations and human rights; good practice guides on racial equality, and it provides interpreter services We want to ensure that all migrants and new sections of the community are treated with respect and we should not tolerate any incidents of racism or hate crime towards any individual or group. In 2009, 18% of people surveyed here believed that the culture of Irish travellers is more respected than it once was. 61% believed there is more racial prejudice that five years ago and 51% believed people from minority ethnic groups are less respected than they once were.

Our aims Zero tolerance for crimes based on prejudice and all forms of hate crime, and actively promoting rights and respect; Promoting work across different cultures through the Minority Ethnic Development Fund; Building an inclusive community open to all, regardless of their background; Promoting greater understanding between established sections of the community and new arrivals; Working closely with the PSNI, the new Crime Reduction Partnerships and Probation Board in local areas to address racism and hate crime; Encouraging greater understanding of new cultures and new sections of the community; Developing and supporting workplace initiatives to promote respect and understanding of cultural variety and difference.

Do you agree with these aims? Why? / Why not? Is there anything else we should be doing?

Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration

F: Supporting local communities Background information District Councils play a valuable role in delivering good relations and will continue to be an important part of this programme (CSI). Political leadership at local council level is essential to making sure that good relations work is a key part of the work of the Councils. Community leaders can influence change on the ground and lead positive local development. Volunteers help to create a positive image of organisations in the community. Communities benefit from the work of local volunteers. Through the programme we will continue to support volunteers to promote good relations. We recognise the importance of the Racial Equality Forum, it will be represented on the Ministerial group that will oversee the programme.

Our aims Continue to support Councils delivery of Good Relations programmes and funding; Ensure that the local community is central to the Good Relations decision making and implementation process; Helping develop leadership at a local level and helping the local community to identify solutions to local issues.

Do you agree with these aims? Why? / Why not? Is there anything else we should be doing?

Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration

G: Looking outward Background information Improving relationships within our society means making strong relationships between North and South and East and West. We also need to take account of the fact that new countries are joining the European Community. Our society includes many identities; we must look outwards, learn from others and share our experiences especially with other areas that are emerging from conflict e.g. the Middle East. Other areas that are working to ensure fairness, equality, rights, responsibilities and respect can provide examples that we can learn from. We want to build connections with other Governments and organisations.

Our aims Identifying key projects which have proven track records of success in promoting good relations; Sharing research and experiences on a North/South, East/West, European and international basis; Promotion of cultural diversity and encouraging better social networks on North/South, East/West, European and international levels.

Do you agree with these aims? Why? / Why not? Is there anything else we should be doing?