Local schoolchildren ‘Exploring Cultural Diversity’

Causeway and Glens Council’s Good Relations team have completed a series of workshops with

numerous local primary schools called ‘Exploring Cultural Diversity’.

The aim was to explore cultural diversity in primary schools to help children understand different cultures

while hearing stories from people from outside of the UK and Ireland.

Among the schools to take part were St John's PS in Coleraine, Ballykelly PS and St Peter's and St Paul's

“This year we were able to deliver 40 workshops to around 250 children in local schools and the response

has been so positive, we hope to continue with this initiative going forward,” said Joy Wisener, Good

Relations Officer.

The workshop took place over the autumn months and pupils learned about Poland, France, Japan and

China.

The speakers were native people who lived in the Causeway and Glens Council’s area.

“There is always a need to educate and raise awareness on diversity and difference, so that we can all help

create a community that is welcoming and accepting of others - when better to start this education than at

primary school age,” said the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Stephen Callaghan.

“This project provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the cultures and traditions that add to the

richness and diversity of our Borough and indeed Northern Ireland as a whole, and I would like to extend

my thanks to the schools who kindly hosted these workshops.”

The workshops were designed to be interactive and kids had the chance to ask questions and participate in

dancing and crafts from other cultures. They also learned songs and even picked up some new language

skills during the class.

“I liked the way I learned to write in Chinese,” said one pupil.

“I liked learning the can-can dance, it was fantastic!” said another one.

They also had the opportunity to taste Chinese tea.

“I loved the Chinese tea, it was good!” said a kid after drinking tea.

The workshops also aimed to raise awareness of other cultures and traditions that children can see around

them while growing up in an evolving society.

“We live in a changing environment and it’s important to provide our young people with positive

expressions of culture to counteract some of the more negative things they will hear,” said Joy Wisener,

Good Relations Officer.

“Our Good Relations team has a strapline which was inspired by some of our local pupils a few years ago:

‘Peace in our community starts with you’ *and we think it is an important message for all of us, not just

the children.”

The teachers who accompanied the children were also delighted by the initiative.

“Each session had a fantastic balance of active participation for the pupils and teaching. The speakers

were engaging, and the children were focused throughout each session. There was a good use of visual

aids to enhance the learning experience for the pupils,” said one teacher.

“The children and I thoroughly enjoyed this programme. It was delivered in a very professional manner;

the activities were fun yet informative. There was a good balance of educational material and practical

activities. Thank you,” said another one.

This project has received financial support from The Executive Office as part of the District Council's

Good Relations Programme and supports the Together: Building a United Community Strategy.