SEARCH Celebration Launch
A community development project encompassing Loyalist areas of South and East Antrim has hosted a celebration event at Stormont on Monday, September 12 2011.
SEARCH (South and East Antrim Resourcing from Conflict to Hope) is administered by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, supported with part-finance from the European Union’s PEACE III Programme.
Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kinihan, whose constituency sits within the area covered by the SEARCH Project, hosted the event, in Stormont’s Long Gallery.
Other MLA’s, including the DUP’s Paula Bradley, Sammy Douglas and Paul Girvin and David Hilditch, also attended.
The SDLP’s Conall McDevitt MLA was in attendance, while Michael Culbert and Joe Doherty, representatives of the Republic political ex-prisoner group Coiste Na Iarchimi, were also there.
Deputy Mayor of Newtownabbey Victor Robinson was accompanied by Council Chief Executive Jacqui Dixon, while Larne Borough Council was represented by Catherine Black
The SEARCH Project aims to improve the lives of people living in the area, with work pla
ns being rolled out across South and East Antrim.
New staff are now on the ground, helping with community needs around the catchment area, which stretches from Whitewell in Belfast, north to Larne and Ballymena and west as far as Antrim.
A special advisory panel has been constituted, combining community, political and church representatives, together with council officials, to guide the work of the Project as it begins to tackle key regeneration issues.
Dr Avila Kilmurray from the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, who Chairs the SEARCH Advisory Panel from the SEARCH Project said: “South and East Antrim has been an area long touched by the conflict here and this project will look at new ways of dealing with its legacy across the region.
“Events of this summer prove that while there is a peace process, lasting peace and justice will only come from very hard work on the ground and the SEARCH Project aims to bridge this gap through peace-building activities and a new focus on social regeneration.
“Already, SEARCH staff and volunteers have been working hard on the ground to tackle issues like flags, bonfires and interface conflict and the celebration event will reflect this activity.
“Proactively over the past few months, the SEARCH team has been instrumental in organising positive activities, including four festivals celebrating Ulster Scots culture, while eight community festivals were held over the period of the Twelfth.”
Adree Wallace, who co-ordinates the SEARCH Project, believes; “SEARCH has the ability to be a powerful avenue for change in South and East Antrim.
“To begin the process several months ago, over 400 people attended a working conference where ex-combatants from the area discussed conflict transformation.
“Some of those participating recently completed a cross-border exchange in Dublin, where relationships were analysed and discussed.
“A multitude of training programmes have been offered and delivered, following a detailed skills and needs analysis, which will help increase employability and the future prospects for participants.
“Two new community groups have also been established, to give local people a structured voice and enjoyable activities like Teddy Bears Picnics, an archery project and even cross community boxing competitions have given a real boost locally.”
