This section deals with the experiences and concerns that practitioners have when undertaking cultural diversity initiatives in Northern Ireland. Responses in this area concentrated on the issues of Single Identity work (SI) within cultural diversity and its contribution to the principles of CR. During the questionnaire and in-depth interview stages of the Community Relations Practice Project participants seemed to be split on the issue of whether SI work creates the confidence to engage with the ‘other’ community, or that it is simply an initiative that gives credibility to prejudice. This split was again raised during the workshop discussions. There seemed to be a general consensus that funding issues and SI initiatives merited further attention. Participants pointed out that funders needed to be aware of the fact that groups may see undertaking SI projects purely as a means of securing funding for non CR activities. It was also suggested that groups should not receive further funding if they could not demonstrate that their particular SI initiative would lead to quality contact with members of the other community.

Some participants queried whether or not S.I. initiatives should automatically lead to contact and suggested that each project should be examined on its own merits. It was also pointed out that in order for funders to better understand the mechanisms of successful SI initiatives they should be involved at ground level, a form of back to basics training, or ‘shop floor’ experience.

Some workshop participants were very supportive of the view that every stakeholder in Northern Ireland society has not only been affected by the ‘troubles’ but that we all have to take responsibility for the past 30 years. Personal biographies have been highlighted as an excellent way of sharing experiences and also as a form of learning for practitioners, and cultural diversity initiatives offer the opportunity to express their feelings in a proactive way. It was also pointed out that the Protestant community are more involved in SI programmes than Catholics and in order for the principles of SI to be successful both communities should participate in parallel. If this situation could be achieved it was suggested that this could be an indicator of success.

Main points raised on cultural diversity and community relations

• Many of the points raised in this area centered around the issue of single identity work and its place within CR and C Diversity policy in Northern Ireland.
• Some participants stated that if single identity work was done in isolation could it really be referred to as part of the C. Relations or C. Diversity process.
• Participants were split on the issue of the benefits of single identity initiatives. Some say it cements prejudice, others stated that it created the confidence to engage with the ‘other side’. It was agreed that each SI initiative had to be measured on its own merits, what may be good for one group may not necessarily be beneficial to another.
• Single identity work should always have a life-span and it should progress to become an integral part of a broader cultural diversity/ community relations based process. It was also suggested that the progress of such initiatives should be part of a community relations review process.
• Funding structures in this area merit further examination. Groups must be prevented from engaging in these initiatives simply to secure funding for non CR activities.
• Funders must create closer links with those seeking funding in order to ensure compliance with SI principles. Funders undertaking group visits has been suggested as a way to address this impediment.
• Funding criteria have been stated as a major blockage when trying to move cultural diversity programmes away from SI work.
• Some workshop participants felt that SI initiatives seem to have a higher priority in funding structures than other elements of CD work.
• Cultural diversity issues have to be subject to closer evaluation model. Participants stated that this process must not be monitored simply through procedures like ‘head counting’.
• Cultural diversity initiatives create the opportunity for personal biographies to be shared, the benefits of sharing experience as a form of training has been an overriding theme of all four workshops. The recognition of ‘community pain’ has to be given the opportunity for expression and the environment for the sharing of knowledge must be provided.
• Capacity building was again mentioned in this session. Cultural diversity work is work that creates opportunities for progression and encourages empowerment in order to adapt and develop. There must be no hidden agenda elements, progression to contact without consultation for example, incorporated within this process.
• Practitioners should regularly consult with their target audience to ensure that the project direction meets with their initial expectations. They should be willing to act upon suggested recommendations highlighted through this consultation/group discussion process.

The following section offers information on the main cultural diversity programme in Northern Ireland.

The Community Relations Council Cultural Diversity Programme

Origins
Every society is a mosaic of many difference groups, based on class or ethnic background, religion, education, gender and generation. Culture contributes to this diversity, for it represents knowledge and belief inherited from the past, expressed in language, religion, art and music as well as the artefacts and buildings which form the material world in which we live and work. Culture in this sense exerts a powerful influence on the way we think and live, and cultural differences between groups and people can be a potent source of division and conflict - especially when used to bolster political groupings and the exercise of power.
Conversely, cultural diversity can be a source of richness, a stimulus to new ideas and new approaches to community life. It is this latter concept that the Cultural Diversity Programme of the Community Relations Council has tried to nurture, in the belief that cultural differences can become a source of strength, rather than weakness.

The Work
The Cultural Diversity Programme has various strands to its work.

These include:
Local Cultural Traditions Grants Programme
A £125,000 funding programme set up to aid locally-based groups working with adults who are involved in encouraging the exploration of cultural diversity in Northern Ireland. It main aims are:

Publications and Media Grant Schemes
The publications scheme support books published in Northern Ireland which address the histories and identities of communities living in Northern Ireland. The Media scheme commissions professional films for television which explore various themes on culture and sectarianism.

Cultural Diversity Resources The programme is involved in encouraging the development of resources that can aid in the exploration of issues surrounding cultural diversity. Recently, the programme has been particularly focussed on producing material for work with children and school-age students.

Useful Publications

Connolly, P, (1998) Early Years Anti-sectarian Television, Belfast: Community Relations Council.

Crozier, M and Froggatt, R, (eds) (1999) Cultural Diversity in Contemporary Europe Belfast: Community Relations Council.

Gorman, D, An Crann/The Tree Information Packs, Belfast

Grant, D, (1998) Playing the Wild Card: A Survey of Community Drama and Smaller-scale Theatre from a Community Relations Perspective, Belfast: Community Relations Council.

Hayes, M, (1998) Whither Cultural Diversity, Belfast: Community Relations Council.

Law, G, (1998) The Cultural Traditions Dictionary, Belfast: Community Relations Council.

McIvor, P, (1996) An Ulster Wean's A - Z, Belfast: Community Relations Council.

Murphy. J and Murray, F, (eds) (1998) Cultural Diversity Directory, A Directory of Cultural Diversity Funding, Organisations & Resources in Northern Ireland Belfast: Community Relations Council.

Murphy. K, A Companion to An Ulster Wean’s A-Z

Funding Assistance

Arts Council for Northern Ireland
MacNeice House
77 Malone Road
Belfast, BT1 6AQ
Tel: 01232 385200

Community Relations Council
http://www.community-relations.org.uk/community-relations/
6 Murray Street
Belfast, BT1 6DN
Tel: 01232 439953
Email: info@community-relations.org.uk

Department of Education (N.I.)
http://www.deni.gov.uk/
Community Relations Branch
Rathgael House
Balloo Road
Bangor, BT19 2PR
Tel: 01247 279747
Email: deni@nics.gov.uk

District Councils
Names, Addresses, Email and Contact numbers of your local Council are available in CORPUS Community Relations Officer Section.

National Lottery Fund
Arts Council of NI
Macneice House
77 Malone Road
Belfast, BT9 6AQ
Tel: 01232 667000

N.I. Voluntary Trust
http://www.btinternet.com/~nivt/
22 Mount Charles
Belfast, BT7 1NZ
Tel: 01232 245927
Email: nivt@btinternet.com

Ultach Trust/Iontaobhas Ultach
Room 202 Fountain House
19 Donegall Place
Belfast BT1 5AB
Tel: 01232 230749

Ulster Local History Trust Fund
The Secretary
PO Box 900
Belfast BT9 6BL

For a comprehensive list of Cultural Diversity Organisation and a list of aims, objectives and statements of interest see the CRC’s Cultural Diversity Directory.
http://www.community-relations.org.uk/community-relations/resources/pubs.htm.