West Belfast Youth Talks Back … but mostly to itself #openuptheconversation #youthtalksback

Yvette Shapiro introduced this year’s panel to an audience of 30 or so youth and another 30 less youthful in Whiterock Leisure Centre: Cllr Steven Corr (SF), Julie-Anne Corr (PUP), Anna Lo MLA (Alliance) and Sean Connolly (applied psychologist). She reminded the audience that the young people from West Belfast’s Upper Springfield Development Trust Participation Group had identified education, racism and apathy as local concerns. The sound in the hall was variable and the recordings are hissy (despite my attempts …

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Some political highlights from Féile an Phobail (31 July to 10 August)

Féile an Phobail is now underway, running until 10 August. Amongst the myriad of events – many of them free – in the 100 page programme, here’s a few politically-relevant ones. Thursday 31 July On the Journey to Peace and Reconciliation at 8pm in St Mary’s University College // Colin Parry’s 12 year old son was killed when an IRA bomb exploded in Warrington in 1993. He’ll be sharing his journey along with deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. Friday 1 …

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