Picture shows: Adrian Johnston, Board Member for International Fund for Ireland with Rachel Holmes from St Columba's Primary School and Ben Ferguson from Newbuildings Primary School celebrating the launch of a new media community relations project, funded by the International Fund for Ireland. The Headliners Project, Distinctive Voices Collective Choices, which will run until September 2013, will work with pupils aged 8-19 years old. The Project will use media, including creative and interactive activities and discussions to explore issues of sectarianism, to challenge pre-conceptions of other communities and to work towards the goal of a shared vision and future.

The International Fund for Ireland has launched an innovative Project which aims to promote understanding and reconciliation with school children across Northern Ireland through the use of media.   

The Headliners Project, Distinctive Voices Collective Choices, which will run until September 2013, will work with pupils aged 8-19 years old. The Project will use media, including creative and interactive activities and discussions to explore issues of sectarianism, to challenge pre-conceptions of other communities and to work towards the goal of a shared vision and future.

Funded by the International Fund for Ireland with financial assistance of £230,100 through its Sharing in Education Programme, the Project will operate in Dungannon, Londonderry/Derry, Belfast, Strabane, Castlederg and Limavady.

The launch took place at St Columba’s Primary School, Londonderry/Derry.

Adrian Johnston, Board Member, International Fund for Ireland said: “The Distinctive Voices Collective Choices Project is the latest initiative to be launched as part of our Sharing in Education Programme.

“Throughout the project, young people will be encouraged to interview each other and produce stories examining common ground, looking at their own communities and prejudices as well as how they can make a positive impact on division, conflict and reconciliation”.

“The Project will support teachers to promote reconciliation by providing valuable opportunities for meaningful contact and discussion among young people in each community. Together students will use digital, audio and video equipment, as a journalist would, to tackle issues of sectarianism and conflict. All footage created with film, audio and photography will be available online as a tool for further teaching practices.

“The young people will also enhance their skills and gain accreditation through the National Open College Network and it will encourage them to take a lead in peace-building in the hope of leaving a lasting legacy and a shared vision and future.”

Commenting on the Project, Distinctive Voices Collective Choices Project Manager Malachy Kyle said: “The Project is helping to develop personal and practical skills and explore the importance of community relations themes for all those involved in the programme. The pupils from both schools have already improved their communication, speaking and listening skills, learnt new media skills and grown in confidence as a result.

“New friendships between Catholic and Protestant children have been forged by creating joint radio podcasts exploring their experiences of sectarianism and division and featuring their views on community life, shared space and their hopes for the future.

During the project Ethan, aged 9 years old, a New Buildings Primary School pupil gave his views on sectarianism: “There’s no point in even fighting with each other. They are just wasting their time because they’re just causing chaos in the town and it’s just not fair.”

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