Because of the changing demographics within Northern Ireland, our Conflict management training, and our experiences working internationally we recognised a need to develop workshops to promote a better understanding of living in an intercultural society.

Alongside the Multi Cultural Resource Centre TIDES Training developed a programme called Stepping Into Diversity or SID. We designed workshops for: Community Groups, BME (Black, Minority Ethnic) groups, people who have come to NI to live and have been here for a number of years and also those who have recently come to Northern Ireland. We worked with Youth Groups, schools, etc. all with an emphasis on promoting a more equitable diverse society.

The aims of the Stepping Into Diversity programme:

• Look at the effects of Racism.
• Gain information on different cultures.
• Understand our rights & our responsibilities.

A Good Relations and Civic Leadership OCN NI Level II was designed additional to the Stepping into Diversity sessions. This course was designed to give people the skills to:

• Understand the influence of identity.
• Understand the importance of cultural diversity.
• Understand the current legislation on equality.