In recent years CONCENSUS has cultivated a focus on the inclusion of Section 75 Groups, which it is progressively integrating with its mainstream provision through the processes in the CONCENSUS initiative. Some examples of work undertaken with these groups includes:
Migrants
With support from the European Grundtvig programme, CONCENSUS developed and is scheduled to pilot a new approach to the Integration of migrants and ethnic minorities. The Programme was developed in co-operation with partner organisations in Norway and France. This was the first initiative undertaken by the CONCENSUS Ethnic Minority Working group, which includes team members from functions across the centre with a stake in this issue.
CONCENSUS is working with the Belfast Lithuanian Association who is using sport, and particularly their national sport of basketball, to both improve links between Lithuanian people living in Belfast, Kilkeel, Dungannon and Ards and enhance integration through the registering of teams in local leagues across the north and provision of training to younger members.
The social economy project, CAIRDE, that has emerged from the West Armagh Consortium of Community Organisations and Polski Armagh is working through CONCENSUS to construct a youth development plan for young people in areas of the city with highest unemployment and to include Polish speaking and Irish speaking young people in Armagh and surrounding areas and are running a 3 day summer school with Union of Construction and Allied Trades and Technicians Union Learning Mentor to enhance local people’s knowledge of and access to employment rights.
Women
Through a workshops given by women’s organisations and attended by twenty women, CONCENSUS supported the ICTU Women’s Committee in the development of a new resource. “A Trades Union Guide to Domestic Abuse.” Thirty women from trade union and local community groups took part in a residential school to develop a programme which addressed Women into politics and Women into Public Life.
Politically Motivated Ex-prisoners and Excombatants
As a part of BURC, CONCENSUS continues a long history of working with politically motivated ex-combatants and ex-prisoners, through its continued support of the Fellowship of Messines Association and through its own programmes and initiatives. Strategic emphasis is placed on these groups through project funding provision secured through the C.A.F.E. (Citizenship And Fellowship Education) project which supports these groups in their transition to peace.
Members of the Security and Anciliary Services Groups
CONCENSUS also has a strategic focus on former members of the security and anciliary services, through the C.A.F.E Project. The development and delivery of shared/common history programmes and learning resources in partnership with Brantwood Military History Association and Newtownabbey Community Forum. CONCENSUS is also supporting the collecting and recording of presentations and collective memory from a diverse group of Joint Veterans on a series of focused themes including: Human Experiences and Stories, History, Nationalism and Identity, Politics and Patriotism, Wars and Conflicts and Hopes & Visions for the Future.
Young People.
CONCENSUS has been particularly active in addressing issues which impact young people, taking a strategic approach to their inclusion and participation in the specific aims and objectives of the DISC project. Specific activities through this project have seen one hundred and nine young people achieve accreditation in vital areas such as citizenship, and health and fitness. Activities undertaken are all learner lead and include workshops, best-practice visits, residential training, film making and drama.
Disability
CONCENSUS supported a series of workshops in partnership with Irish Congress of Trade Unions, attended by 30 disability activists, targeted at groups representing people with disabilities to develop a working agenda for a programme of activities to address the specific requirement of promoting equality and participation in society.
