Dee Street forms Digital Communities

Seven young people from east Belfast’s Dee Street Community Centre have been awarded for their participation in an IT education programme known as Digital Communities aimed at developing Information Communication and Technology (ICT) skills and fostering better community relations across Belfast.

Speaking at the awards ceremony Alistair McDonald, Regional Manager of HP Northern Ireland, sponsors of the Digital Communities programme, highlighted the value that the training will add to the young people’s personal development.

“The range of ICT skills developed as a result of the Digital Communities initiative will better equip young people with the necessary skills and confidence to explore technology”, says Alistair McDonald who presented Youth Achievement Awards to seven participants of the Digital Communities initiative. “I have been particularly impressed by the way in which interactive messaging and the internet have been used to enable young people from different communities across Belfast to exchange ideas and identify shared values. This initiative serves to highlight the importance of how IT can be used to advance community relations and foster positive relationships between people of diverse backgrounds.”

The Digital Initiatives project which is part of the Hewlett Packard Worldwide Philanthropy programme operates in communities that, for various social and financial reasons, have reduced access to information and communication technology education.

In Belfast there are four centres which are based at: Dee Street Community Centre, The Hammer Centre, Short Strand Community Centre and Upper Andersonstown Community Forum. Other partners supporting the programme include the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

Ken Callaghan of Belfast Education and Library Board and Digital Communities Project Manager said: “The Digital Communities project provides tangible benefits to both participants and the communities in which they live. At a basic level individuals can use the new skills to integrate IT into their everyday lives from using email to developing and formatting a CV. Another aspect of the training includes a historical module which we have found helps build confidence and trust within and between communities. Ultimately, the training will boost employment opportunities and create greater cohesion between communities.”

Since the programme was established in 2004 over 600 people of all ages have benefited from ICT training.

(SP)