University to raise awareness of community issues

The University of Ulster today began hosting a week-long series of events aimed at raising awareness among the student population of pressing lifestyle and community issues.

The initiative, under the heading of 'Diversity Week' is a joint undertaking by the University and the Students’ Union across its four campuses.

Among the issues being highlighted during the week are disability, sectarianism, racism, lesbian, gay and bisexual orientation and mental health.

Stands containing information about these issues will be erected on each of the four campuses – Belfast, Jordanstown, Coleraine and Magee – and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions from the student body and provide up-to-date information about the problems highlighted.

Anne Monaghan, UU Community Relations manager, said: “The University prides itself in preparing its students for life in general and not just producing excellent academic results. Northern Ireland, like any modern society, faces a number of lifestyle and community issues such as sectarianism, homophobia, racism and lack of appreciation of people with disabilities.

“We hope that the events hosted across our four campuses this week will help students appreciate better the problems they may encounter in the community outside the University and will also help them to be more sympathetic in their attitudes to others.

"We deeply appreciate the support of the Students Union in staging the various events this week which is complementing the Civic Leadership Project run by the University,” she added.

Alongside the UU events, the National Union of Student-Union of Students in Ireland is running a hard-hitting campaign against prejudice.

Some 24,000 postcards and 3,000 posters, featuring strident headlines, are being distributed in cafes, bars, clubs and colleges throughout the province. Focusing on the issues of sectarianism, racism, homophobia and disability discrimination, the campaign hopes to highlight the often subtle nature of prejudice and discrimination.

(MB)