News

‘Xuberance’ project encourages peace-building for the future

‘Xuberance’ project encourages peace-building for the future

Wed, September 13, 2017

Young people from across the Borough enjoyed a celebration event recently to mark the completion of the ‘Xuberance’ project.

As part of The Good Relations Programme, it was designed to build leadership skills and develop new friendships among young people from different cultural backgrounds.

21 participants completed the five day project, which included water sports, camping and Good Relations workshops.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE, said: “Xuberance is one of Council’s Good Relations projects which specifically targets young people and encourages them to play a full and active role in peace-building within our community. I have no doubt that they will now be ambassadors in this regard across the Council area. We trust that this is just the beginning of some important friendships that will continue beyond the life of this project.”

Joy Wisener, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Good Relations Officer, said: “We were so impressed with the contributions that these young people made at the Celebration event. It was evident that their experience allowed them to build significant friendships across traditional divides. Participants developed leadership skills and were willing to speak out about what they had learned. Some of last year’s participants had undertaken to lead a peer group session on this year’s programme, without any prompting from the facilitators, which we found really encouraging.”

At the celebration event, participants received certificates and gifts in recognition of their successful completion of the project.

The Xuberance programme has received financial support from The Executive Office.

Lawrence McBride from Xuberance programme facilitator Far and Wild. Some of those who attended the Xuberance programme celebration evening. Zac Simpson speaking at the celebration evening. Participants of the Xuberance programme pictured with the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE. Zac Simpson, Alderman William King, Councillor Stephanie Quigley, Good Relations Officer Joy Wisener, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Joan Baird OBE, Councillor Barney Fitzpatrick and Callum West.