Supplementary memorandum submitted by
Her Majesty's Government
INTRODUCTION
1. The Government is pleased to respond
to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee's request for further
written evidence to its inquiry into "hate crime" in
Northern Ireland.
2. As requested by the Clerk to the Committee,
this memorandum focuses on sectarian hate crime and the measures
being taken by Government to address it through action in the
areas of criminal justice, victims, community relations, equality,
housing and education. It includes updates on the status of the
community relations strategy, the race equality strategy and the
strategic action plan on sexual orientation. It also briefly provides
up to date data on racist incidents.
3. As stated in our previous memorandum
(March 2004), it is our view that enforcement action by the Police
Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) will continue to be the key
to tackling hate crime. But enforcement action alone will not
tackle the deep-seated problems that we need to address. Accordingly,
it will be accompanied by a range of actions:
— Legislation giving courts the power
to impose heavier sentence where an offence is aggravated by hostility
based on religion, race, disability or sexual orientation;
— Action to protect vulnerable communities;
and
— Action on education, housing, health
and social policy issues.
4. As stated previously, Government is committed
to eradicating all manifestations of hatred, whether motivated
by racism, sectarianism or homophobia. There are norms and behaviours
within society that are acceptable and those that are not acceptable.
The hate crime legislation proposed by Government will deal firmly
with behaviour that is not consistent with what is acceptable
in a civilised society.
5. Following representation from the Northern
Ireland Affairs Committee during this inquiry the Government has
accepted the Committee's recommendation to include in the draft
Order provisions to protect people with disabilities. This is
detailed in the letter dated 29 June 2004 from Rt. Hon John Spellar
MP, Minister of State for Northern Ireland. The Criminal Justice
(Northern Ireland) Order 2004 will be tabled in the House on 26
September.
UPDATE ON
HATE CRIME
INCIDENTS
6. The original memorandum [Tables 1 and
2] provided statistics on homophobic and racial incidents for
a number of years, including 2003-04 up to 10 February 2004. The
revised tables below show the data updated to 31 March 2004. These
confirm the anticipated increase in reported incidents. Paragraphs
7, 8 and 9 of the original memorandum commented on the statistics.
In particular, it acknowledged that the racial incident figures
represented "a very substantial real increase"",
but they were silent about social groups, there being no relevant
data on those. We have nothing to add to that commentary.
Table 1: Homophobic Incident
Statistics 2000-01—2003-04
|
| 2000-01
| 2001-02 | 2002-03
| 2003-04 |
|
| Verbal Abuse/Threat | 9
| 5 | 10
| 14 |
| Written Material | 1
| 1 | |
|
| Graffiti | |
| | 1 |
| Physical Assault | 30
| 19 | 16
| 35 |
| Attack on Home | 7
| 5 | 5
| 10 |
| Attack on Property | 4
| 4 | 2
| 10 |
| Other | 6 |
6 | 2
| 1 |
| Total | 57
| 40 | 35
| 71 |
|
Table 2: Racial Incident Statistics for
1998-99—2003-04
|
| 1998-99
| 1999-2000 | 2000-01
| 2001-02 | 2002-03
| 2003-04 |
|
| Verbal Abuse/Threat | 32
| 67 | 77
| 50 | 56
| 109 |
| Written Material | 1
| 4 | 1
| 4 | 3
| 10 |
| Graffiti | 5
| 7 | 6
| 2 | 4
| 7 |
| Physical Assault | 15
| 54 | 58
| 37 | 50
| 103 |
| Attack on Home | 13
| 53 | 49
| 38 | 59
| 148 |
| Attack on Property | 20
| 37 | 45
| 33 | 39
| 57 |
| Other | 7 |
15 | 24
| 21 | 15
| 19 |
| Total | 93 |
237 | 260
| 185 | 226
| 453 |
|
SECTARIAN HATE
CRIME
7. Paragraph 6 of the Government's original memorandum
to the Committee pointed out that "until now there has been
no systematic collection and recording by the police of sectarian
incidents, although they have now begun to address this".
8. The Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI) is
now in the final stages of developing arrangements for such a
system, which will address incidents of religious and / or political
motivation. Details are to be announced in the Autumn as part
of PSNI's new Hate Crime Policy.
RECORDING AND
MONITORING HATE
INCIDENTS
9. Separately, the Community Safety Unit of the Northern
Ireland Office is facilitating the development of a broader system
for registering hate crime incidents in Northern Ireland. It is
intended that this will record incidents motivated by hatred based
on religion, race, sexual orientation and disability. It is also
intended to expand the work of this group to implement a number
of key tasks; for example, a social marketing campaign to promote
the benefits brought to Northern Ireland by people from a minority
ethnic background. The Working Group would link to the Northern
Ireland Race Forum (described below) and act as its implementation
wing.
10. The CSU is also bringing together a number of key
statutory and voluntary bodies to initiate arrangements for responding
to hate crime incidents, particularly those of a racist nature.
It is intended that the arrangements will include both physical
measures for the protection of those subject to such incidents,
and associated advice and guidance on available support services.
COMMUNITY SAFETY
11. Within Northern Ireland's Community Safety Strategy,
hate crime is identified as a key issue with clear commitments
to bring about legislative change, develop effective local strategies
and solutions, commission research into the nature and extent
of racially motivated crime and establish a multi-agency system
to record and monitor racial incidents.
12. Hate crime and incidents will also impact on other
key issues within the strategy including; tackling anti-social
behaviour and neighbourhood disorder, addressing the fear of crime
particularly among Older People and the more vulnerable within
local communities here, and reducing business and retail crime.
13. The memorandum of 25 March 2004 set out Government's
actions on Victim Support and the Victim Service to the Chinese
Community (paras. 21 and 22 refer).
EQUALITY, GOOD
RELATIONS, RACE
RELATIONS, VICTIMS
AND SURVIVORS
The next section of the memorandum provides background to a
number of key policy areas in the Equality Directorate of the
Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister which are
relevant to the proposed hate crime legislation.
EQUALITY
14. Government remains fully committed to driving forward
the equality and human rights agenda. To this end a number of
key policy areas are being taken forward. Work continues to ensure
that equality considerations are fully mainstreamed into policy
development across Government and that there is effective operation
of the statutory duties under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland
Act 1998.
15. Government attaches a high priority to the work of
the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and works in partnership
with it on various programme to promote equality of opportunity.
16. Government continues to strengthen the legislative
base on equality of opportunity. Considerable progress has been
made in terms of Equality and Anti Discrimination legislation
with the development of a comprehensive range of protective measures
to cover race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religious
belief and political opinion and work is ongoing to implement
age discrimination legislation.
17. A major programme is the development of a Single
Equality Bill for Northern Ireland. A consultation on options
was publicly launched by Minister John Spellar on 22 June 2004
and will run until 12 November 2004. The aim is to ensure a fully
comprehensive and inclusive consultation exercise. There has already
been extensive preliminary consultation with business, trade unions,
churches and other faith based organisations, equality and human
rights interests and political parties. Two regional consultation
seminars are planned; one will be held in Belfast on 14 September
and another in Londonderry on 16 September.
18. In addition to legislative work, Government is also
taking forward a number of non-legislative programmes to put in
place co-ordinated actions to tackle inequalities with a particular
focus on some of the most vulnerable groups. Strategies on race
and gender will not only identify the key actions which departments
can take in these areas, but will monitor the implementation of
those actions. Work will also be initiated to identify to identify
and tackle issues and inequalities based on sexual orientation
and to promote social inclusion for older people, people with
disabilities, carers and the homeless.
GOOD RELATIONS[11]
19. Continued sectarianism, racism and intercommunity
conflict act as significant barriers to social and economic growth
and recovery within communities. They lower morale and prevent
communities taking advantage of opportunities to build a better
future.
20. Section 75 (2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 introduced
the concept of Good Relations. It sets that that "without
prejudice to its obligations under subsection (1) a public authority
shall in carrying out its functions relations to Northern Ireland
have regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between
persons of different religious belief, political opinion or racial
group".
GOOD RELATIONS
STRATEGY
21. Respondents to the Shared Future consultation urged
Government to take the lead and begin by tackling the worst excesses
of sectarianism and racism in a pragmatic way and put in place
policies and programmes which encourage communication, tolerance,
trust and respect for different cultures, faiths and traditions
over time. In summary, Government was urged to take a cross-departmental
approach that explicitly encouraged "sharing over separation"
in delivering services.
22. The Northern Ireland Grand Committee met on 17 June
2004 to consider the future direction of community relations policy
in Northern Ireland. The Minister outlined his thinking on the
direction of the new policy stressing a number of key points.
First, a shared future is an important and central issue not just
for Government but for every citizen in Northern Ireland. Second,
sharing the future is beyond doubt: it is a question of how it
is to be shared. Third, Government needs to move forward creatively—and
promote greater sharing, tolerance and respect for one and other—without
threatening anyone. Tribute was paid to the trade unions and business
sector for keeping division out of the workplace; and to schools
and teachers for the role that they continue to play to keep classrooms
a place of learning, and as far as possible, free from sectarianism
and racism. Tribute was also paid to the work at local level by
voluntary and community sector, many district councils and elected
representatives to build good relations, despite the many difficulties.
23. Government will make the long-term commitment to
improving relations in Northern Ireland, including the associated
investment of time, resources and effort. Through the new policy
and strategic framework, Government will provide support to communities
to develop and deliver good relations approaches and programmes
and take direct action to eliminate sectarianism, tackle racism
and build trust between and within communities.
24. The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First
Minister in carrying out its statutory obligation under Section
75 (2) to have due regard to the desirability of promoting good
relations between persons of different religious belief, political
opinion or racial group will co-ordinate action across government
and its agencies. The steering group which will take forward this
work will co ordinate long-term actions, target resources and
monitor outcomes.
25. While actions to promote good relations will be driven
forward by Government, it is clear that improving relationships
in the long run will require leadership at political, civic and
community level.
26. Improving community relations is the search for practical
foundations of trust between divided people. Moving from relationships
based on mistrust, enmity and defence to those rooted in mutual
recognition and trust is the essence of reconciliation. Building
trust involves all of society: political and civic leadership,
core institutions and should not be expected to emanate from violent
interfaces alone. Interface areas are the tragic symptoms of a
systemic lack of trust rather than the sole cause or only evidence
of it. The Government will continue to support those working to
deal with the problems of interface areas; but will avoid rewarding
bad behaviour.
27. Challenging sectarianism, racism and any other extremism
is not only about challenging particular behaviours or attitudes:
it is also about making different relationships. Real change across
Northern Ireland will require leadership at political, civic and
community level. It will require vision, institutional commitment
and long-term policies to promote and sustain change. Ultimately
sustained and deeper progress depends on political stability.
28. A draft policy and strategic framework will be brought
forward in the autumn for discussion with political parties, elected
representatives and key stakeholders
RACE EQUALITY
STRATEGY
29. Details of the Race Equality Strategy were covered
in the previous memorandum. Given the strong linkages between
the Good Relations Strategy and the Race Equality Strategy, the
Government intends to publish the two documents at the same time.
The Race Equality Strategy is being developed in conjunction with
the Race Forum (details of which were also outlined in the previous
memorandum). One of the key aims is to combat racism and to provide
protection against racist crime. It is intended that the strategy
will secure the commitment of all the members of the Race Forum
and beyond. An implementation plan to achieve the key aims of
the strategy will be drawn up in close consultation with the Forum.
The action plan will not only identify the key actions which departments
(and others) can take, but will monitor the implementation of
those actions.
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
STRATEGY
30. The paucity of information and data on sexual orientation
has made it difficult to identify and address the full range of
problems and issues faced by people, particularly in the gay and
lesbian communities. Consequently, OFMDFM has commissioned and
published research providing recommendations on the promotion
of equality and filling information gaps including future research
on sexual orientation. The report is available on the OFMDFM website,
www.research.ofmdfmni.gov.uk.
31. Government has also set up a sexual orientation advisory
body comprising representatives of different sexual orientation
groups. Through this body, Government is working to identify the
priority issues and problems. We are developing a strategic action
plan to address these. The target is to bring forward recommendations
to Ministers by December 2004, for approval and publication. The
plan will include for example measures aimed at increasing awareness
and understanding of the issues. It will also outline mechanisms
for co-ordinating actions across Government Departments and monitoring
progress. Further details on progress in this area are included
in the attached Annex.
SUPPORT FOR
VICTIMS AND
SURVIVORS OF
CONFLICT
32. The conflict in Northern Ireland has left a profound
legacy; it has left scars at many levels. Promoting healing and
support for victims and survivors of the conflict in Northern
Ireland continues to be a priority and Government is working with
victims and survivors, their representative groups, experts, academics
and practitioners in the field to help shape the new phase of
policy which builds on the initial strategy of the Northern Ireland
Executive set out in "Reshape, Rebuild, Achieve".
33. The new policy will focus on identifying areas of
additional practical support to victims and survivors. It will
also incorporate the Secretary of State's current work on dealing
with the past.
ACTIONS ACROSS
GOVERNMENT TO
ADDRESS SECTARIANISM
AND RACISM
The following sections set out a number of actions taken
by Departments and their agencies to address sectarianism and
racism.
(a) Visible manifestations of sectarianism
Many respondents to A Shared Future highlighted the need
to take action to tackle paramilitary flags and emblems.
34. Paramilitary flags and emblems have no place in Northern
Ireland. They intimidate and strike fear into communities. They
also act as a disincentive to investment in areas where that investment
is much needed. Government recognises that the best approach to
tackling the issue is through the local community, elected representatives
and the police working together.
35. Government is clear that there is no place in society
for these trappings of the past and continues to offer practical
assistance to those communities that are seeking to transform
their environments. The positive actions recently taken in the
Lower Shankill area and in other areas to remove offensive murals,
sectarian and racist graffiti, painted kerbstones and illegal
paramilitary flags is evidence of the progress that can be made
through a multi-agency approach in conjunction with the elected
representatives, the police and the local community. Government
also recognises and acknowledges the enforcement action taken
by the PSNI to deal with the display of flags supporting proscribed
organisation.
36. It is clear from the evidence thus far that whilst
there may be a need for new legislation or codes of conduct or
protocols to deal with this problem, by far the best way of resolving
issues is by looking at the context within which conflict arises
and, if necessary, to transform that context. The removal of such
trappings is best undertaken as a common project with agencies
working in conjunction with communities as part of environmental
improvements with a view to enhancing areas economically.
37. In conjunction with other Departments and Agencies,
OFMDFM is reviewing roles, responsibilities and the legal position
with regard to the flying of flags and other emblems. Measures
to tackle this problem will be brought forward in the context
of the new good relations policy and strategic framework that
is currently being developed.
(b) Race forum
38. Work on tackling racial inequality and racism is
proceeding in parallel with the development and implementation
of the Race Equality Strategy. Some of the relevant measures are
outlined in our previous memorandum and elsewhere in this one.
However, the Government recognises that these measures will take
time to come into operation or to have an impact.
39. Against the background of the recent upsurge in racist
incidents and their spread across Northern Ireland, the Office
of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister has convened a
special meeting of the Race Forum on 7 September 2004 and key
interested parties to identify practical measures that could be
taken to tackle racism and racist incidents. Details of the practical
measures identified will be provided in oral evidence by officials.
The meeting involved representatives from the NIO and NI Government
Departments, PSNI and minority ethnic communities. It also involved
community representatives from those areas that have borne the
brunt of recent attacks.
40. The special meeting also established a thematic group
of the Forum to see that these practical measures were carried
forward and to advise on further actions. It is hoped that the
sub-group will provide a focus for action to tackle racism and
racial incidents over the coming months. The proposed initiative
taken by employers in the Dungannon area in conjunction with Business
in the Community is an example of practical actions which can
be taken.
(C) HOUSING:
TACKLING PREJUDICE
AND SUPPORTING
VICTIMS
Emergency Housing Following Sectarian And Racist Incidents
41. There are a number of existing initiatives supported
by the Department for Social Development, which are reflected
in the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's response to hate crime
incidents. These are outlined below.
Re-Housing Homeless Applicants
42. The Housing Executive has a duty under the Housing
(NI) Order 1988 to secure that accommodation is available to homeless
applicants who meet certain criteria. The criteria are as follows:
— Applicants must be "homeless" for the
purposes of the 1988 Order, ie they have no accommodation in the
UK or elsewhere which they could reasonably be expected to occupy;
— Applicants must not be "intentionally homeless",
ie they have not become homeless as a result of any deliberate
act or lack of action;
— Applicants must be "eligible" for assistance
under the 1988 Order (certain persons from abroad and persons
who have been guilty of unacceptable behaviour are not eligible
for such assistance);
— Applicants must have "priority need",
eg they are particularly vulnerable or at risk of violence.
43. Persons made homeless as a result of terrorist, sectarian
or racist intimidation are awarded the highest priority for re-housing
by the Housing Executive. The Department recently invited the
Housing Executive to amend its Housing Selection Scheme so that
persons who are intimidated because of their sexual orientation
or disabilities can also be awarded top priority for re-housing.
Ethnic minorities
44. Between April 2003 and the end of July 2004 the Housing
Executive accepted a total of 13 applicants as homeless due to
racial intimidation. The breakdown of this figure, by ethnic origin,
is as follows:
|
| African | 3
|
| Bangladeshi | 3
|
| Chinese | 1
|
| Indian | 1
|
| Irish Traveller | 3
|
| Pakistani | 1
|
| Mixed | 1 |
|
| Total | 13
|
|
45. The Housing Executive provides information on housing
and homelessness to advice and welfare centres catering for members
of ethnic minorities, and is currently examining this service
to see if it can be improved.
Emergency Grants
46. The Housing Executive pays Emergency Grants to public
and private sector tenants who have been forced to leave their
homes as a result of intimidation. The grants are intended to
cover certain relocation costs, such as new telephone connection.
Acquisition of Satisfactory Houses (ASH)
47. This scheme allows the Housing Executive to acquire
private sector housing which can be let to tenants who might be
at risk in housing estates.
Scheme for the Purchase of Evacuated Dwellings (SPED)
48. Where a homeowner has been forced to move as a result
of intimidation, the Housing Executive is empowered under SPED
to purchase the individual's home. This enables victims of intimidation
to move quickly and receive the full market value for their homes.
Houses purchased under SPED can be re-sold on the open market
or (more rarely) taken into the Housing Executive's stock.
Anti-Social Behaviour
49. The Housing Executive and registered housing associations
have power to seek injunctions against any persons involved in
the harassment of tenants, as well as power to evict tenants whose
behaviour is likely to cause nuisance or annoyance to neighbours
or persons visiting the area. The Department has issued guidance
to the Executive which suggests that any racial or sectarian harassment,
or harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation, should be
treated as "nuisance or annoyance" for these purposes.
Housing And Community Relations
50. The Northern Ireland Act 1998 places a duty on the
Housing Executive, as a public body, to promote good community
relations. In pursuit of its own corporate objectives, the Executive
is committed to promoting community relations and respect at local
level through housing-centred community involvement. In this context,
the Housing Executive has published proposals to address the problems
of intimidation, interface violence and sectarian symbols. These
are not solely housing problems and the Housing Executive recognises
that solutions require a co-ordinated inter-agency approach. The
Department for Social Development is fully supportive of the Housing
Executive's initiatives to support mixed communities and promote
community relations.
(D) EDUCATION—TACKLING
SECTARIANISM
Education has a key role in overcoming prejudice and we understand
that the Committee has expressed a particular interest in the
part it has to play in addressing sectarianism and racism.
Integrated Education
51. In 1999 the Department of Education commissioned
the Centre for the Study of Conflict in the University of Ulster
Coleraine to examine the impact of Integrated Education. The subsequent
report, "Integrated education in Northern Ireland: An Analytical
Literature Review" pointed out that it is not always easy
to separate out educational issues from other areas of social
policy far less to isolate integrated education from the broader
field of education and social and community issues.
52. The review detailed research done in 1991 that analysed
the friendship choices of Catholic and Protestant pupils in an
integrated secondary school on the basis of religion, social class
and gender. The findings showed that, after five years of secondary
education in an integrated school, pupils who had attended integrated
primary schools now had significantly more friends from the "other"
community than from their own. Past pupils maintained a significant
number of friends from the "other" community compared
to young adults of the same age in an integrated university. The
author's conclusions were that integrated secondary education
could improve inter-community relations in Northern Ireland and
that segregated schools added to the polarisation of society.
However, the review concluded that this research was relatively
small and cannot be used as a basis for firm conclusions.
53. It may also be worth pointing out that out of the
50 Integrated Schools in Northern Ireland, none are situated in
so-called "flashpoint" areas.
Education for Mutual Understanding and the Schools Community
Relations Programme
54. The objectives of Education for Mutual Understanding
(EMU) are
— Fostering respect for self and others and building
relationships;
— Understanding conflict;
— Appreciating interdependence; and
— Cultural understanding.
55. The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) carried
out a survey of the primary sector in 1998-99 and the post-primary
sector in 1999-2000 to assess the extent to which these objectives,
as an educational theme, were being translated into the work of
the schools.
56. The report on the primary sector presented a generally
positive picture and drew attention to the emphasis given to developing
and maintaining links across the community. It noted, however,
that joint activities arising from such links tended to focus
narrowly on shared residential activities and sporting events.
The question was posed as to whether, in themselves, these activities
were sufficient.
57. The post-primary report highlighted positive outcomes
and in particular the commitment of many of the teachers to help
young people to have confidence in themselves and to respect others.
The report did, however, highlight important areas for improvement.
In only a small number of schools inspected was there a consistent
approach to developing EMU objectives across the curriculum. Good
practice tended to be isolated rather than a part of a whole-school
approach. Also it was only in a minority of schools that pupils
had the confidence to discuss conflict and division in the community.
Most teachers were uncomfortable in dealing with such issues.
58. To complement and develop the educational themes
the Department's Schools Community Relations Programme (SCRP)
has provided funding to encourage cross-community contact between
schools.
59. Following on from ETI's survey of EMU in schools
the Department, in 2002, commissioned a review of SCRP and also
a research study of pupil perceptions of the SCRP.
60. The review of SCRP identified several strengths and
in particular the continued commitment and dedication of teachers.
The review did however highlight many weaknesses around the lack
of training provided for teachers to help them deliver CR issues;
lack of investment by ELBs to support teachers; the Programme's
low strategic importance at all levels; and the continued view
that joint trips to museums etc were free fun days out of school.
61. The research into pupil perception of the Programme
was very positive in that it identified that the young people
wanted to do real CR. They saw the benefits of local links in
that contact could be sustained. The down side was that most existing
Programmes avoided such issues.
62. Following wide consultation on the review the Department
has appointed an Implementation Group to produce a time-bound
plan, by March 2005,to take forward the agreed recommendations.
The Group comprises representatives of ELBs, CCMS, ETI, UU and
DE. The main recommendations cover issues such as encouraging
a whole-school approach; introducing gradient mechanisms; encouraging
two and three-year programmes; recognition of unique circumstances
of particular schools; introduction of monitoring and evaluation;
and road shows of best practice.
63. In the meantime, the Department and the ELBs have
been making considerable progress to ensure that all CR programmes
will eventually reflect clear CR objectives. We do, however, recognise
that speed will in many areas be dictated by local circumstances.
64. DE is planning to hold a one-day seminar in early
2005 which will bring representatives of all the players together
ie teachers, ELB CR staff, ETI, DE, Core Funded Groups and perhaps
some pupil participants. The agenda for the day has not yet been
finalised.
Local and Global Citizenship
65. The Minister has accepted the advice of the Council
for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) for a revised
statutory curriculum, which will include replacing the current
cross-curricular theme of Education for Mutual Understanding with
Local and Global Citizenship Education. This will be part of the
curriculum at all key stages and aims to develop the capacity
of young people to participate positively and effectively in society,
to influence democratic processes, and to make informed and responsible
decisions as local and global citizens throughout their lives
66. Local and Global Citizenship is based around investigation
of the following core concepts:
— Diversity and Inclusion.
— Equality and Social Justice.
— Democracy and Active Participation.
— Human Rights and Social Responsibility.
67. Pupils will have opportunities to investigate these
core concepts through a number of real-life examples and case
studies, some of which will relate directly to Northern Ireland,
to provide them with a challenging and relevant basis to engage
with important issues that affect their lives. An enquiry-based,
active learning approach is recommended.
68. Legislation to implement the new curriculum will
be in place by September 2006 although piloting of Citizenship
education is already underway in 77 schools. An additional cohort
of approximately 50 schools will be joining from September 2004
and it is envisaged that the pilot will be extended to include
all post-primary schools by September 2006.
August 2004
11
We use the term "good relations"" rather than
the traditional term to acknowledge that society in Northern Ireland
is more diverse and stretches beyond the traditional bi-polar
community approach. The increased presence of and contribution
of minority ethnic groups highlights the changing nature of communities
in Northern Ireland. Back
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