BALLYNAFEIGH Community Development Association will be the location next week for the latest in a series of ‘Discussion Circles’ being organised by the North West Migrants Forum.
The events, part of the Intercultural Cross-border Inclusion Programme (ICIP) and Voices for Change Project, are bringing members of racialised minoritised communities together under the banner of ‘Your Voice Matters’.
Since its launch in January, the ICI Programme, supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), has been making strides towards its overall goal of creating a more inclusive society within communities on both sides of the border experiencing rapid demographic change.
Voices for Change was developed when NWMF realised that building migrant power and influencing policy is most effective when knowledge, tools and experiences are openly shared with others in the wider community. It is funded by St Stephen’s Green Trust.
Next week’s Discussion Circle will be the second to be held in Belfast and follows on from two other successful days of conversation and reflection in Derry.
Thanking everyone who has participated so far and looking ahead to August 8 in Ballynafeigh, Chief Executive of the North West Migrants Forum, Lilian Seenoi Barr, said, “Thank you for sharing your journeys, your lived experiences, your wisdom and your leadership so openly and honestly. Your stories have inspired us and challenged us to think differently. They have also reminded us that representation matters and that every voice has the power to create change.
“Your generosity, authenticity and willingness to encourage others to step into leadership, civic engagement and public life is what is making these discussions truly special.
“We are deeply grateful that you are taking the time to help inspire more people from our racialised minority communities to become active in shaping the future of Northern Ireland.”
The Ballynafeigh Discussion Circle takes place on Saturday, August 8 and runs from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. You can register here to attend: https://forms.gle/HopXhX72CocfuqLu6
If you would like to be invited to future discussion circles and are not already on the NWMF mailing list, please email info@nwmf.org.uk. If you are a community leader from a racialised minority community and would like to share your experiences and inspire others, we would also love to hear from you.
