Community Cohesion is a corporate priority for Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council. The Shared Future Project has been developed in response to recommendations made following the visit to Belfast by delegates from OMBS and Oldham Schools in 2003. A further planning visit in April 2004 established close links with colleagues from the Spirit of Enniskillen Trust, an organisation set up after the Enniskillen bomb of 1987. The Trust provides high quality programmes for joint work between Catholic and Protestant young people. Through working with the Trust, the Excellence in Oldham Partnership will support a programme which will help young people communicate across barriers of mistrust and to build relationships across diverse communities.
A range of agencies across Oldham have also established projects and initiatives with similar aims. These include the Fusion project, the Active Citizenship Network, Peacemaker and Aim Higher. It is intended that the Shared Future project will enhance and complement existing initiatives.
The project is dedicated to promoting opportunities for young people aged 14-19 to develop skills, knowledge and positive attitudes in the following areas:
Race and cultural awareness;
Youth leadership;
Active citizenship;
Emotional intelligence; and
Conflict resolution.
This will be achieved through a programme of activities and residential experiences, which will aim to:
build long-term relationships based on trust and empathy;
broaden experiences beyond the immediate local context;
raise aspirations and self esteem;
empower young people to develop a sense of responsibility and the belief that they can bring about change; and
increase awareness of other cultures, religions and the ways in which social and cultural groups perceive themselves and each other.
The project will commence in Oldham in September 2004 for more information contact Sarah Shaw 0161 770 4293