Community Relations

The Community Relations Unit is part of the Good Relations and Reconciliation Division within the of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. Originally establish in 1987, the Unit's aims are; to increase cross-community contact and co-operation and to encourage mutual respect, understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity.

Northern Ireland remains a deeply divided society. The causes of this division are rooted in history and reflect the differences in religion, politics and culture, as well as the social and economic experiences of the two main religious groupings.

Healing the division has been and remains at the centre of the Government's policy and requires action across a wide range of political, cultural, and socio-economic programmes.

To help promote community relations we formulate policy, provide advice to ministers, undertake research and allocate funding.

We also provide support for other initiatives including the District Council Community Relations Programme and the Community Relations Council.

A Shared Future: Policy and Strategic Framework for Good Relations in Northern Ireland was published by Written Ministerial Statement on 21 March 2005