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Draw Down the Walls would like to invite you to a series of events on Friday the 23^rd September 2011, planned to coincide with our exhibition for this year’s Culture Night programme .

The theme of the day, “Pushing Barriers” will examine how the project has developed community relations across some of North Belfast’s most contested interfaces and has left a legacy of engagement which seeks to create the conditions to imagine a city without barriers. The programme, which is currently funded by Belfast City Council Development & Outreach, is unique in that it is a community relations project which utilises art as a primary engagement tool to outreach to traditionally hard to reach sections of community that have not previously been involved in good relations work with a primary focus on detached youth.

The day will consist of a project report launch, showcasing the work which has been created and displayed to date and telling the narrative of our progress together, a discussion exploring our relationships with barriers today with a panel of Political representatives, Statutory Agencies, Academics & Community Relations practitioners and the unveiling of the “Pushing Barriers” exhibition.

Itinerary:

· 10.45am: Draw Down the Walls Poster & Publication launch: Representatives from Belfast City Council, Department of Foreign Affairs & US State Department accompanied by a brunch.

· 12.00pm-1.45pm: “Pushing Barriers” panel discussion; “Can we imagine a city without barriers? What remains to be done?” The panel will include representatives from Senior Government, Chief inspector Andrew Freeburn PSNI, Duncan Morrow Community Relations Council, Jonathon Byrne University of Ulster. & Dessie Donnelly of Participation & Practice of Rights. The event will be chaired by Julia Paul from the BBC’s Hearts & Minds programme. This panel has been invited to reflect the diversity of the conversations required to embed the issues of resolving the legacy of interface barriers into a strategic framework which can sit at the heart of government.”

· 6.00pm: “Pushing Barriers” Drawing Down Walls: To be launched by Minister for DCAL, Carál Ní Chuilín MLA Continuing the conversation generated by the art intervention at the Flax Street security barrier which was realised as part of Community Relations Week, (featured on Arts Extra Tuesday 13^th September), this installation will challenge the audience to re-examine how we are affected by the physical presence of North Belfast’s interface walls. Provocative & engaging the piece will bring the viewer eye to eye with one of the most contentious interfaces in the city in a new context as the Draw Down the Walls contribution to Culture Night 2011.

Draw Down the Walls is a collaboration between the North Belfast Interface Network, Golden Thread Gallery, Lower Shankill Community Association, Ardoyne Women’s Group and Tar Isteach.

The project is currently funded by Belfast City Council Development & Outreach Scheme Culture Arts & Tourism. It has also in the past received financial assistance from the US Consulate & Department of Foreign Affairs.

All events will take place at:

Golden Thread Gallery, 84-94 Great Patrick Street, Belfast.

For further information contact;

Breandán Clarke: North Belfast Interface Network, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Tel: 028 90751362

Mob: 07872468644

Ruth Graham: Golden Thread Gallery, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Tel: 028 90330920

To mark the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day, NBIN & NBCDTG will host an electoral identification clinic. The event has been organised by Kate Clarke of the North Belfast Interface Network & Leanne Marshall of the North Belfast Community Development & Transition Group.

Kate Clarke states “ With elections coming up on the 5^th of May, women have often been disenfranchised from their vote because they don’t have the correct identification, this event marking the 100^th anniversary of International Women’s Day will provide women with an official photo id issued by the NI Electoral Office. This is a cross community event, Women have an important voice and having the right identification to vote will be part of making that voice heard.”

Free of Charge the electoral office will take your photo and provide you with photographic identification which will allow you to vote in the upcoming elections.
The event is open to everyone but has a specific focus on women voters particularly young women who will be eligible for their first vote as well as senior women who may have lost out on previous votes because they do not have the correct identification.

The event is planned for Wednesday the 2^nd March 2011 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm at Mc Crory Church Hall
All you need is your National Insurance Number. The event is open to everyone eligible to vote!

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