Race Relations Expert to Lead Dungannon Conference
Publish Date: Tuesday, 29 April 2008
Race Relations Expert to Lead Dungannon Conference
Reconstituting racism in Northern Ireland is just one of the topics to be raised at a high profile conference in Dungannon this Wednesday, 30th April which will be led by London based Institute of Race Relations expert Arun Kundnani
Racism: Moving Beyond Denial? takes place at East Tyrone College from 9.30am and will feature political input from Alex Maskey MLA (Sinn Féin), David Griffin (Alliance), Dolores Kelly MLA (SDLP), Nelson McCausland (DUP) and Richard Watson (UUP) as well as key note addresses from Bernadette McAliskey (STEP) and Dr Robbie McVeigh.
Conference delegates will have the unique opportunity to directly question the political panel, chaired by Bendedicta Attoh, on issues such as 'ethnic monitoring', what the Assembly should do about racism and how to control negative comments in the Press.
Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council's Anti Racism Officer, Ligia Parizzi, says:
"Racism has been experienced by ethnic minorities in Northern Ireland throughout the length of history, yet was largely acknowledged. Until quite recently, there has been a level of popular denial that racism is a problem. The well publicised incidents of racist violence across Northern Ireland in recent years have largely put an end to this perception."
Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough has proportionately benefited most from new migration in recent years and anti racism is an issue at the top of the local Council's agenda. Mayor, Councillor Barry Monteith says:
"Dungannon continues to lead the way to highlight anti racism. This event, with its specialist perspectives from such a high calibre of speakers, further emphasises the Council's stance on tackling racism."
Workshops will take place on the following subjects:
- The Anti Racism Officer - a model for local government and public services?
- What should the NI Assembly do about racism?
- Racism and Travellers
- Racism in the Workplace
A closing plenary will be delivered by Colin Jack, Head of Good Relations and Reconciliation Division from Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister.
Ends...
Press Enquiries to Emma Heatherington, Public Relations Officer, Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council Tel: 028 8772 0341/07717 576971
Notes to Editors:
Arun Kundnani of the Institute of Race Relations is the author of 'The End of Tolerance: racism in 21st Century Britain' and deputy editor of 'Race and Class'.
Bernadette McAliskey is co-ordinator of South Tyrone Empowerment Programme who, since her time as an MP, has devoted her time to the building of successful community infrastructure in her local area of South Tyrone.
Dr Robbie McVeigh is the research director with An Dúchán. He has written extensively on racism in Northern Ireland.
