Young people uniting our community through their actions – Ross and Fearon

Junior Ministers Alastair Ross and Megan Fearon today attended the third meeting of the Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) Engagement Forum, held in The Junction, Dungannon.

Junior Ministers Alastair Ross and Megan Fearon pictured with young people participating in the T:BUC Engagement Forum in Dungannon

The meeting, which is part of Community Relations and Cultural Awareness Week, highlighted the important role children and young people have in building a united community.

Speaking at the event, Junior Minister Alastair Ross said: “Over a third of our population is under the age of 25. It is essential that we promote good relations amongst our children and young people to help equip them to build a peaceful, multicultural and tolerant society.

 “Much of the Executive’s T:BUC programme is dedicated to children and young people, and today’s forum has allowed for fresh discussion on how to help them play a full and active role in peace-building to ensure a better future for everyone in Northern Ireland.”

Junior Minister Megan Fearon said: “More than 4,000 have taken part in our Summer Camps, demonstrating the appetite of young people across the North to take an active role in shaping a society we can all be proud of.

 “Those I’ve met have really embraced the spirit of these camps.  They have broken down barriers, shared experiences and built positive relationships.  By challenging the divisions and prejudice of the past, our young people will be at the forefront of creating a society which is inclusive, diverse and full of opportunities.”

The forum was made up of over 170 representatives drawn from a wide range of community organisations and public bodies.

Notes to editors: 

Media enquiries about this press release to the Executive Office Press Office on 028 9037 8201, or out of office hours contact to Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

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