Previous Cultural Awareness Events
The following include a short summary of events delivered by The Rural Centre from 2012 – 2015. All current events are on The Rural Centre website.
School: A Celebration of Diversity
This event in St Patrick’s College was part of Dungannon District Council’s Good Relaitons Week.
Europe Direct NI delivered a number of EU workshops to year 8 classes in primary schools in the Dungannon area. The theme of the workshops was EU member states, EU languages and culture. Europe Direct NI participated in final event where the schools celebrated their diversity and demonstrated the highlights from the workshops which the children had participated in.
The final concert included music, dance, from across Europe and Globally to reflect the diversity of the school and the wider community.
Educators: Training in Iceland
Heather McLaughlin, Manager particpated in this training programme 2 – 8 September 2012 in Borganess, Iceland as part of a Grundgtvig programme.
The training was delivered by Guðrún Pétursdóttir, sociologist from InterCultural Iceland and covered Migration, Racism, Discrimination, Culture and Diversity Training. Participants included teachers and trainers from across Europe and who are involved in diversity training in educational institutions, youth centres, migrant organisations, public institutions or in schools or classrooms.
Content: Concept of culture, migration, stereotypes, prejudice and different manifestations of “every day racism”. Further activities dealing with hidden discrimination. Discussion about other methods and teaching techniques to reach an unmotivated group. Group work – Participants start working on their own program or teaching plan.
Opportunity Europe
The EU Commission Exhibition stand at the Opportunity Europe Event 16 – 17 October 2012. Opportunity Europe and Beyond is an annual two-day fair and exhibition, which highlights Northern Ireland’s European links and helps participants to find out about working, studying, volunteering and travelling throughout Europe and beyond.
It encourages understanding and enjoyment of different cultures in Northern Ireland, Europe and beyond and brings together a vibrant programme of events including music, dance, quizzes, visual arts, food, workshops, exhibition stands and discussions.
Teachers: Seminar on Connecting Schools Across Europe
The aim of this one day seminar was to provide teachers with information and resources on how to add a European dimension to their school activities by linking with other schools across Europe. The seminar was developed jointly by the European Commission Representation Offices, Europe Direct NI, European Studies Programme and the British Council.
The seminar was held in the Commission’s Info Point, Belfast, 30 October 2012 and Collette FirzGerald, the newly appointed Head of Office welcomed participants to the seminar and outlined the Commission’s support for educational links across Europe. Heather McLaughlin, Europe Direct NI provided an outline for the seminar and chaired discussions throughout.
Youth: Soap Box Competition: ‘Youth is Wasted on the Young’
The Europe Direct Centres in Ireland joined together to run a soapbox competition in each of their regions. Each presentation consisted of a three minute speech for or against the topic. ‘Youth is wasted on the Young’ which took place before a public audience and a panel of judges.Regional competitions were arranged at the Europe Direct Centres. The Europe Direct NI event took place in the Library, Enniskillen on Wednesday 7 November 2012. Prizes were sponsored by the European Commission Representation in Ireland and local Members of the European Parliament. First prize for each of the regional events was an iPad. Regional winners will then compete in the overall final for a first prize of €1,000.
School: Culturally Competent Students
St Cairons, Ballygawley 15 November 2012 Nov 15 2012. This series of workshops with year 8 pupils from St Cairan’s, Ballygawley helped them to explore culture and their own cultural identify to become more intercultural competent. The students participated in games, activities and role play which looked at how culture influences behaviour and expectations and the impact of a cultural clash.
It enabled them to identify their own cultural preferences, how stereotypes are created and how these can be challenged to promote an acceptance of culture and the benefits this brings to the school and wider society. The training was delivered in three workshops to over 100 students.
Youth: Anti-Racism, Discrimination & Cultural Awareness
December 10, 2012 This workshop for a group of 25 youth aged 14 – 18 year olds in Newry was an introductory session exploring attitudes around racism, understanding discrimination to challenge perceptions and stereo-types. The group was made up of two youth clubs coming together on a cross community basis. This was the first workshop part of a series and will be followed with other workshops exploring specific cultures in more details.
Engineers: Working in International Teams
December 12, 2012 Training was delivered to an International Tele Tech Team to help them explore intercultural communication skills to understand how culture impacts and influences how business is conducted. Technology connects and links us instantly across the world and along with increased mobility means that business is global even if you don’t move!
Intercultural competencies are now essential for business success as we work with colleagues and clients with different cultural values and working practices. Teams are increasingly working with colleagues from different cultures and it is important that team members come equipped with intercultural skills and knowledge.
Youth: Understanding Cultural Diversity
15 January 2013 Cultural Diversity Training was delivered to a group of 25 young people as part of a programme of training supported by Down County Museum. The aim of their project is to create opportunities for participating groups to access a range of training and learning opportunities to increase their understanding of how cultural diversity and community identity impact on life today and to significantly raise the level of cultural awareness of people and groups within the cluster.
The purpose of this workshop was to provide opportunities for the young people to explore their own cultural identity and to learn about shared and diverse history and cultural traditions and how respect for cultural diversity can be developed further in daily life.
Youth: Understanding Stereotypes & Discrimination
23 January 2013 two workshops were delivered to 50 children aged 7-12 years and 12 youth aged 13-16 years in Gilford as part of a programme of training to help them look at Cultural Diversity, how stereotypes are created and how to challenge discrimination.
A range of video clips and activities encouraged both groups to look at their own cultural behaviours and expectations and how to influences attitudes and behaviours towards others from different cultures.
Engineers: Improving International Team Work
This Transportation team is part of an International organisation with partners and colleagues across the world. In this environment Managers are required to work and manage virtual international teams with very different working processes and decision making styles.
This workshop therefore began by understanding how culture influences expectations and behavior within their own team working environment before looking at the differences they might experience within their virtual teams. The ability to understand their own cultural context enables Team managers and members to shift their cultural frame of reference and enable them to modify their working methods for a better intercultural fit.
School: Languages For Success
February 4, 2013 Language skills are increasingly important especially when business means working with people and clients from across the world. This workshop encouraged High School students in Dungannon to consider a language as a GCSE subject and began by looking at the diversity and use of languages across the European Union and the importance of language skills when we are free to live, work and study in other regions of Europe.
Over 75 students participated in 3 workshops which explored their own connections to languages and links across the world. They considered how a second language improves their competitiveness in the careers they hope to follow.
Foster Carers: Intercultural Competence
As Foster Carers communication is important so the main focus of this training was to increase the knowledge and skills of participants in the area of intercultural communication.
The workshop began by challenging ‘the way we do things’ to remind participants that within our own cultural group we are encouraged to act and behave in a certain way and therefore know what is expected of us. Children and families from other cultures may do things differently and unless we are open to and considerate of these different cultural rules and their meanings it can lead to misunderstandings.
Exercises and activities re-inforced how to be aware of and consider our own cultural defaults and responses in order to allow open collaboration with families and children both inside and outside our cultural groups.
“All very useful, particularly the exercises”
“The trainer was knowledgeable with good communication skills”
“Very useful for the workplace with regard to your own self awareness”
“Lots of ideas I never though of before”
School: The Importance of Languages
February 2013 Europe Direct NI was invited to speak to over 75 High School students in Magherafelt to explore the opportunities a second or third language can offer.
Students were making their final choices for their GCSE subjects and over three workshops the importance of having a foreign language was explored in the context of the opportunity to live, work and study in other regions of Europe. The students learned about the range of languages used throughout the Member States of the European Union and how the EU accommodates this linguistic diversity through its interpretation and translation services.
With increasing global connections the students considered how a second language would improve their competitiveness in the careers they hoped to follow.
Youth: Connected Across the World
March 2013 Some teenagers gave up their Saturday to explore how culture influences every part of our lives. Diversity Bingo revealed how we are connected across the world and how we need people from every part of the world to live our lives.
The Cultural Iceberg was used to look at how we judge people based on how they look, speak and act and yet this is only a small part of who the person is. They considered where these beliefs and attitudes come from and how important it is to get to know people beyond the surface
Photography Exploring EU Culture and Citizenship
April 2013 Aldo Solingo, a photo journalist from Italy, visited N Ireland to interview women as part of a project on citizenship in the EU. This is the start of a project for Aldo which aims to look at citizenship across the EU. At a time when there are many difficulties across Europe and many differences in the rights and opportunities for citizens Aldo wants to explore life in the EU bringing to light similarities and differences.
Aldo’s previous work has explored the link between media and war in Gaza strip and more recently deforestation in Haiti, he has the ability to establish a deep relationship with his subjects demonstrated in his pictures and exhibitions in Italy and abroad. Aldo’s Work
Understanding Intercultural Communication in the Workplace
Training was delivered to a group as part of a training programme to prepare them to return to work. In order to understand other cultural perspectives you have to first look at your own! So, we explored own behaviours and preferences in a working environment before looking at different way of communicating across cultures.
It is hard to find any workplace where it is not important to be more inter-culturally aware. We are connected to the world across technology as well as within the workplace with colleagues and clients with different cultural values and working practices. Teams are increasingly working with colleagues from different cultures and it is important that Team Leaders and Team members come equipped with intercultural skills and knowledge.
Youth: Understanding ‘Our’ Culture!!
This workshop was delivered to a cross community youth group as part of a two day residential in Donegal. The young people were taking part in a range of team building activities competing in teams in archery, canoeing and building rafts. The workshop used teams as a model to look at how we like to be part of a group and to identify ourselves as members of groups through symbols and emblems, language and behaviour.
University: Crossing Communication Barriers
The University of Ulster is hosting a three day event for businesses showcasing the Universities engagement with the business community. May 8, 2013
On Thursday 9 May 2013 Heather McLaughlin, Europe Direct NI, will deliver a workshop on ‘Business and Intercultural Communication’ to provide tips and advice on how to communicate more effectively when working with colleagues, clients and customers across cultures.
Business: Intercultural Competence for Business
The University of Ulster organised a three day festival to showcase its engagement with business. The programme included discussions on the N Ireland economy, lectures on creating a sustainable built environment through education and collaboration along with a number of workshops.
Europe Direct NI delivered a workshop on Crossing Communication Barriers for business working across Europe.
Preparing for the G8 in Fermanagh
May 15, 2013 Treat others the way they like to be treated!
This is particularly important when you are in the business of meeting and greeting but how do you get it right when how to meet and greet appropriately differs across cultures!
That’s exactly what we looked at in this workshop for staff of the Lough Erne Resort beginning with how we can misinterpret behaviours we don’t have experience of.
‘The whole greeting process was helpful with my services”
“Understanding what is good and bad manners in different cultures’
‘Not to jump to conclusions…practicing awkward situations’
‘Trainer had excellent knowledge and worldwide experience’
‘Learned a lot and had a great time in the process!’
G8 Youth Summit, 15 & 16 May 2013 Lough Erne Resort
Heather McLaughlin was delighted to be invited to attend the G8 Youth Summit to represent the European Commission and receive their communiqué to the G8.
120 young people, ages 16-25 came together to work out their own recommendations for dealing with the world’s most pressing problems and send a message to the G8 leaders. Their discussions were presented in the form of a communiqué and film to an audience including the Secretary of State. The communiqué will be formally presented to representatives of the G8 countries when they arrive in June. View in Film
School: Getting to Know the European Union
21 May 2013 A group of primary school children completed a number of activities to get to know the EU. They researched the 27 Member States to discover which used the Euro, they found the flags and capital cities of some of the regions as well as exploring some famous places across Europe. They talked about the places they had been to on holiday and the people they knew from other member states living in this region.
Youth: Understanding Intercultural Communication Styles
23 May 2013 Youth Leaders work with a variety of young people helping them to learn about themselves, others and society by engaging them in a range of activities which are fun and challenging. Their work seeks to promote young people’s personal and social development and enable them to develop their skills and confidence
When working with young people across a range of cultures it’s even more important to communicate in a way that supports and builds their confidence by being aware of the misunderstandings that can arise because of differences in communication styles.
School: Celebrating Cultural Diversity!
31 May 2013 Each year St Patrick’s College, Dungannon hosts a Global Diversity day to celebrate the diversity of their school and wider community. This year our workshop looked at EU memberships and the freedom to live work and study in other regions. The children talked about the countries they have come from and the places they have visited. Groups then selected a member state to produce a poster to show some key facts including its flag, cities, language, famous people and places before sharing it with the workshop. This allowed children from this region and from other regions of Europe to share some insights into their cultural traditions and languages.
Youth: Raising the Bar!
I was delighted to facilitate a group of young people 13 – 16yrs participating in a cross border and cross community programme called ‘Raising the Bar’. It is part of a programme where young people involved in sport look at their shared history supported by the SW Cluster Peace III Programme.
Speakers including David Scott from the Grand Orange Order of Ireland who provided a wonderful overview of the Orange Order and dispelled some myths. King William did not ride a white horse into battle! And LOL means Loyal Orange Lodge and not laugh out loud!
Donal MaAnallen from the Ulster Council of the GAA demonstrated the global reach and influence of the GAA in games such as soccer, shinty, hurling, ice hockey, handball, camogie and scór.https://www.youtube.com/embed/gPU6EGKhuIQ?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en&autohide=2&wmode=transparent
School: EU Language Day celebrated in School
Every year, 26 September is the day the EU celebrates the many languages found in Europe – the EU’s 24 official languages, the 60 or so regional/minority languages, and the languages spoken by people who have come to Europe from other parts of the world.
This year I spent the day in School taking the language classes for 123 year 8 to share with them the many facts about languages in the EU with activities to encourage them to continue learning languages throughout their lives.
Peace Funding in the Clogher Valley Area
Representatives from 26 community/ voluntary groups met Peace III Funders from Dungannon District Council to discuss the low uptake of funding in the area and consider ideas for the next round of funding. Oct 2013
Health Care: Intercultural Competence
October 16, 2013 This workshop was specifically related to the intercultural communication needs of the Adult and Children Social Care and mental Health Teams in Portsmouth. Intercultural competence is the ability to communicate appropriately with people across a range of cultures and responding in a way that respects their cultural beliefs and values. The first step for the participants was to begin to explore their own cultural background to understand their own values and beliefs and how this impacts on how they communicate with and respond to people.
Youth Action NI are a regional, voluntary youth organisation and charity based in Belfast, Armagh, Enniskillen, South Tyrone, Newry and the North West who work with young people to tackle inequalities in their lives, contribute to communities and take action to contribute to a peaceful society, through community based project, workshops and events.
Youth Discuss the Decade of Commemorations!
The purpose of the programm is to deliver a series of activities to inform, engage and involve as many local residents within the Dungannon Area as possible in order to mark the “Decade of Commemorations”, a decade marking the 100th anniversary of events from 1912 – 1923 which shaped and influenced Irish & British History.
Youth Action NI received Peace III funding for young people aged 13-15 years, to research the events of the “Decade of Commemorations” to share with their group, to visit some of the key historical sites such as the Somme Heritage Centre, Kilmainham Gaol and the Boyne Heritage Centre. The final event was a seminar “let’s talk commemorations” with information workshops a talk from Dr Fearghal McGarry followed by a panel discussion.
University Staff: Intercultural Communication
‘Thinking outside the box of your own Culture” Sunderland University 28 November 2013
As part of a taster session I delivered two workshops to University staff to provide them with an insight into how culture influences how we act and behave and how this affects perception and how we communicate. Or maybe mis-communicate!
“Facilitator was personable and knowledgeable and provided great insight into cultural differences”
“I will change the way I perceive my surroundings”
‘One of the best I have come across, extremely knowledgeable about the subject”
“It challenged everything I know and do”
“It made you think outside the box (of your own culture)
“Understanding of other peoples perspectives based on their own culture”
School: Careers Event
August 18, 2014 Every year Rainey Endowed, Magherafelt invite speakers into school to talk to students about the need for languages in order to have a successful career in a globally diverse world. A number of speakers from a wide range of business backgrounds talked about their work and the increasing need for languages in order to do business. Europe Direct NI provided information on the freedom to live, work and study in other regions of Europe and the range of languages spoken throughout each of the Member States.
School: EU Language day
September 24, 2014 The European Day of Languages has been celebrated every year since 2001 on 26 September, as an initiative of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
Throughout Europe, 800 million Europeans represented in the Council of Europe’s 47 member states are encouraged to learn more languages, at any age, in and out of school. Being convinced that linguistic diversity is a tool for achieving greater intercultural understanding and a key element in the rich cultural heritage of our continent. Europe Direct NI ran a series of workshops in School in Enniskillen where pupils spent the day on a variety of activities promoting EU languages.
Tourist Providers: Intercultural Competence for the Tourism Industry
September 25, 2014 A series of training for the Tourism sector ‘Walk the Walk Tourism Thirst Quenching Master class’ included a programme of training for the Tourism sector. A number of Master classes provided an opportunity to learn through experience, networking and listening to presentations on the topics of experiential tourism, product development, activity tourism, customer service and culture. The Intercultural Competence workshop looked at how to treat people like they would like to be treated.
Delivering a product or service in a way that satisfies buyers or users from cultures or countries other than your own
- To provide products or services in a way that satisfies the full spectrum of users.
- Satisfied users will come back and spread the word
Youth: Opportunity Europe Euro Quiz: Omagh 30 April 2015
Another Europe Quiz was hosted in Omagh on the 30 April 2015 and included 6 school teams. The winners of this event were Omagh Academy.
The European Commission Office in Northern Ireland, in partnership with Belfast City Council and NICILT (the Northern Ireland Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research) at Queen’s University, organised Opportunity Europe Euro Quiz for Key Stage 3 students in post-primary schools. Each quiz event included 6 students per team with 2 students from each of the year groups in years 8, 9 and 10.
Educators: ERASMUS+ Key Action 2 Workshop
11 February 2015 Erasmus+ was launched on 1 January 2014 and replaces former funding programmes run by the European Commission in the area of education, training, youth and sport, including the Lifelong Learning Programme (Erasmus, Comenius, Leonardo, Grundtvig and Transversal), Youth in Action as well Jean Monnet and Erasmus Mundus. The workshop will be facilitated by Dr Audrey McKeown who has now been appointed as an Assessor in some of the new streams of funding including the EU’s Erasmus+ Key Actions and the EU’s Horizon 2020.
