Beyond Skin Annual Report 2016 Page 1 of 16

Annual Report 2016

(Projects)

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PROJECT: Youth4Peace

As we left 2015 we celebrated with the adoption of UN Resolution 2250 on Youth Peace & Security.

On 9 December 2015 the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace & Security. The historical document is the first of its kind to recognize the positive role young people play in building sustainable peace. UNOY Peacebuilders have been working intensively since 2012 to lay a path leading to this resolution. UNOY Peacebuilders have fostered dialogue between young peacebuilders and policy makers

at the international level, bringing young peacebuilders to discuss with representatives at the UN in New York. At the same time, UNOY Peacebuilders have been working with key civil society and institutional partners, including through the Inter-Agency Working Group on Young People’s Participation in Peacebuilding, for the recognition of young people as actors of positive change. "UNOY are an amazing hard working passionate organisation we have so much respect for - this is an great achievement and I congratulate UNOY and the young peacebuilders from around the world that enabled this resolution to be adopted." Darren Ferguson - Beyond Skin Youth4Peace Northern Ireland As UNOY member Beyond Skin took up the role as the organisation leading the #Youth4Peace programme and strategy for Northern Ireland to ensure Resolution 2250 is implemented. This included opportunities for young people in Northern Ireland to travel abroad attending training events, conferences & summits. In May 2016 Beyond Skin established a #youth4peace steering group.

Links to related articles. Andrea & Melissa attend training for Young Leaders on Community Development in Odemis in Turkey www.communityni.org/node/65712#.WXMtJFGQx2E Claire-Louise Turner attends the International Young Leaders summit in Tibilisi, Georgia. www.communityni.org/news/youth4peace-young-ambassador-represents-northern-ireland-summit-georgia#.WXMuT1GQx2E Danielle Carragher attends the Global Youth Rising 2016 summit in Romania www.communityni.org/news/global-youth-rising-2016-youth4peace#.WXMuplGQx2E

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PROJECT: Youth4Peace

Implementing #Youth4Peace across all Beyond Skin youth projects. As part of the #youth4peace Northern Ireland strategy development Beyond Skin team started to implement #Youth4Peace themes into workshops and design and facilitate specific #Youth4Peace workshops and events.This included Peace Day Belfast &Ballycastleevents, Youth Day celebration and Community Relations Week activities at Waveney Youth club and Mount Stewart, Shankill Road Library with special guest from UNOY ImreVeeneman. Links to related articles. Music Unite International Youth Day at East Belfast Festival www.communityni.org/news/music-unite-international-youth-day#.WXMy7lGQx2E Youth4Peace International Peace Day Corrymeela http://www.communityni.org/news/youth4peace-international-peace-day-corrymeela#.WXMz01GQx2E International Peace Day - Belfast City Hall http://www.communityni.org/news/international-peace-day-belfast-city-hall-youth4peace#.WXM2xVGQx2E Sound of Youth4 Peace Shankill Road Library http://www.communityni.org/news/sound-youth4-peace-shankill-road-library#.WXNb3FGQx2E

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PROJECT: WOMAD in Northern Ireland

Continuation and development of WOMAD Foundation supported & partnership projects in Northern Ireland. In 2016 activities in partnership with WOMAD continued as part of the Outreach programme 2013 -2016 that started from the PEACE III Creative Legacies investment. Activities included 'Understanding Diversity through the World Of Music, Arts & Dance' accredited (OCN) programme – principal funder Arts Council NI with additional investment from local councils, Community Relations Council& IBIS Hotels Belfast. A level two course started in September with a new partner Bounce Culture OCN programmes ran in Craigavon, Newtownards, Bangor, Lisburn, Belfast and Ballycastle with the majority of youth participation expect for the Belfast programme with the Shankill Road Defenders Flute Band. Guest artists from WOMAD who assisted deliver the projects were, Landing Mane (Senegal), Mauricio Velezsierra (Colombia), Heidi Heidelberg (England) and Ripton Lindsay (Jamaica). Links to related articles and videos WOMADNI EQ - International Women's Day www.communityni.org/event/womadni-eq-international-womens-day-corrymeela#.WXNhNFGQx2E Understanding Diversity through the World of Music Arts & Dance (level 2) http://www.communityni.org/news/understanding-diversity-through-world-music-arts-dance#.WXNjaFGQx2E Video: "Dig Us Free" SERC Lisburn &Ballycastle Youth Club www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BnSnylT5qc Video: Oasis Youth Club "Beat Box Soul Dance" www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFpn0KTO3Po

2013 – 2016 Archive website: www.womadni.com

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PROJECT: Parallel Versing

Northern Ireland & Sri Lanka collaboration using music to change the life trajectory of children whose quality of life has been impacted by the legacy of conflict Brief History: Parallel Versing project was established in 2013 by Darren Ferguson (Beyond Skin) &ShaliniWickramasuriya (The Music Project). Throughout 2013 - 29015 a lot of work was done in developing the project) supported by Arts Council, OFMDFM, Belfast Harbour, Arts & Business with additional funding through schools resources. A significant investment from the Arts Council Northern Ireland in 2016 allowed for a large programme of activities and exchanges to take place in Northern Ireland & Sri Lanka. The programme included promoting the Parallel Versing project internationally in an effort to develop further the project and to share learning outcomes.

2016 Arts Council Proposal “To strengthen the International partnership between Beyond Skin (N. Ireland) and The Music Project (Sri Lanka) enabling a greater output of shared music projects bridging communities whilst raising the international profile of Community Intercultural Arts practice in Northern Ireland as a model for peace-building.” Objectives • enhancing the working model of the programme • the exchange learning of skills of artists from both countries • enabling Beyond Skin to meet the demands and interest from 3rd parties in expanding it to different

countries • building capacity to develop new community arts models that significantly impact on issues of division &

conflict The project will include Schools and youth groups’ workshop programme in Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka with artists representing both The Music Project and Beyond Skin visiting each other’s country.

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PROJECT: Parallel Versing

Participating Schools Sri Lanka

Lakdas de Mel College, Kurunegala

Mallavi Central College, Mullaitivu

PothubowaMahaVidyalaya, Muwathagama

Wayamba Jayashanka College, Kurunegala

Yohapuram MV, Mullaitivu

St Johns Colombo

Participating Schools Northern Ireland

Erne College Enniskillen

Fairview Primary School

Limavady High School

St Patricks & St BrigidsClaudy

St Brigids Ballymena

St Patrick’s College Dungannon

Sunnylands Carrickfergus

Nettlefield Primary School

Holy Family Primary Omagh

Omagh County Primary School Participating Clubs/Groups

Ballycastle Youth Club

John Paul Youth Club

Ballyearl Summer Scheme

Fortwilliam Youth Club

Include Youth (Newtownards)

Rasharkin Residents Group

NI Childrens Hospice (Newtownabbey)

Ballykeel Defenders Flute Band

Neillsbrook Community Centre Randalstown

Glengormley Pavilion Youth Group

Ballyclare Presbyterian Church Youth Club

Millgreen Youth Centre Bawnmore

Belfast Friendship Club

Waveney Youth Club Participating Events Northern Ireland

Beat Village Carnival

Skainos International Youth Day

Music Unite (The Mac Belfast)

Stendhall Festival

Welcome Festival (St Annes Cathedral)

Omagh Mid Summers Festival

Newtownabbey Festival

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PROJECT: Parallel Versing Beyond Skin team in Sri Lanka (The Four) Before receiving news about the Arts Council investment Beyond Skin were planning a strategy of how to develop the project and Beyond Skin capacity of delivery.Darren Ferguson had been to Sri Lanka several times and Davy Bates the once. They worked well as a team but there were gaps in project delivery support. Due to Darren’s CEO role with Beyond Skin with work commitments it was felt it was important to develop a team that could take the project forward comfortably even if Darren was not available.

A key role was someone who was familiar and comfortable with electronics, technology and sound systems – someone who also could work under time pressure in demanding environments and within a different climate. We identified Jan Uhrin who has been working with Beyond Skin for over 10 years and has had much workshop experience. Jan (originally from Slovakia) is a bassist and very skilled in working with electrics and sound.On news of the Arts Council investment a decision had to be made on the fourth person to Sri Lanka as part of the team.Beyond Skin had been working closely with the Shankill Road Defenders

through the pioneering project Music Unite. A good relationship had already been established with member of the band and Darren, Davy & Jan. Beyond Skin felt it would be a great strategic and promotional move to ask Shankill Road Defenders manager Davie Thomson to go to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has many military marching bands and in schools recorders are used the most. Davie Thomson is a flautist so it was felt musically it would be very beneficial to all for him to be a part of the team.

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PROJECT: Parallel Versing

Parallel Versing workshops in Northern Ireland From the audio/video gathered from the February visit to Sri Lanka with additional personal resources through some of our empowered young musicians there was a good energy to run an intense three month workshop programme with schools and youth groups One big disappointment was the rejected visas for some of The Music Project teachers. The entire visa process was very stressful and frustrating for all involved. A successful visa application was granted for Sri Lankan beatboxer Julius Mitchell. We had first met Julius in Sri Lanka in February and he assisted in a Parallel Versing workshop in St John’s school Colombo. Julius is a very musically gifted individual and with a very likable charisma he became a massive advocate for the project and greatly helped raise the entire profile of the project. As the next part of this report demonstrates - Julius is a showman and we have 100’s of selfies with Parallel Versing project participants to show for it. The schools workshops also linked into Refugee week and on occasion had guest facilitators.

The Northern Ireland programme integrated into various events and themed weeks to enable greater artistic outputs to a wider audience, increase project awareness and to utilise additional resources available for the project. Examples: Refugee Week, International Youth Day, Summer Carnivals/Festivals, Music Unite project showcase. Additional support came from Beat Carnival, Stendhall Festival, Refugee Week Network, RasharkinCommuniy Group, Ballykeel Defenders Flute Band, UNOY and local councils. IBIS Hotels in January 2016 became Beyond Skin’s accommodation hospitality partner offering in-kind support for visiting guests.

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PROJECT: Parallel Versing

Links to related videos "Ahoy!" Nettlefield & Lakdasa de Mel www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYtqmpKZ5zQ "Paparé" Limavady High School & Lakdas de Mel College. www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNgpfN-3pc8 "Candice" The Children of St Brigids Ballymena, Mallavi & Yohapuram www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOOyrZDotcI Fairview Primary, Mallavi & Yohapuram College "Davie's Song" www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K-rBFiwZA8 St Patricks College Dungannon & The Music Project Sri Lanka "Etho Oru Paatt" https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=w5YqYX1eNxc Julius Mitchell @ St.Patricks & St.Brigids Claudy (N. Ireland) https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=mN7C1S1C0sM

Supporting Organisations & Companies: Arts Council NI, IBIS Hotels Belfast, Belfast Harbour, UNOY, Beat Carnival, British Council, Skainos, East Belfast Arts Festival, Fundación Nacional Batuta (Colombia), Esceluas de Paz (Colombia), Fermanagh &Omagh Council, Ceipes, National Trust.

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PROJECT: Orchestre des Réfugiéset Amis

Inviting musicians with Refugee or Asylum status to

collaboratesocialise and creatively express their culture with a diversity of professional

musicians.

Orchestre des Réfugiéset Amis was a project concept that actually came into being in 2013 with a few pilot projects. It was not until July 2016 that an investment through the Arts Council Intercultural Lottery funds that enabled the project to fully launch. The marketing design of the project is to keep the group somewhat of an enigma to create curiosity and to protect some of the musicians involved from an expected amount of media interest and interview requests. Beyond Skin asked local musician and Refugee support activist Joby Fox to help with music direction and photographer Rashid Khaidanov regarding visual representation. Some of the musicians from the project helped to launch Community Relations Week 2016 with performances also for BBC Radio Ulster and Folk Town Festival. An Immersive workshop programme also took place throughout Antrim and Newtownabbey area with various youth groups. Performance and workshop programme will continue for 2017 with the Arts Council as principal funder. Refugee Network Radio as a partner may broadcast some podcasts produced by the participants in workshops. "It is with an inner feeling of satisfaction and great joy to support beyond skin project" - Larry Macaulay - founder of Refugee Radio Network

Links to related articles & videos Video:"AmbarSariya" at BBC Radio Ulster www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApbtDDw9cwA Arts Council Press Release http://artscouncil-ni.org/news/arts-council-announces-69000-funding-for-intercultural-arts-projects

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PROJECT: MUSIC UNITE

A project engaging fife & drum marching bands in Northern Ireland representing Protestant culture.

Music Unite achieved unpresented success in 2015 with the Shankill Road Defenders in 2016 more bands joined the project. Ballymacarrett Defenders, Loyal Sons of Ulster & North Down Defenders. The project enabled a diversity of musicians to work with the bands leading to various showcase events. Due to deadlines set by NI Executive funding that was distributed through Centre for Democracy & Peacebuilding (CDPB) three events took place February and March: Chinese Welfare Association, Ballymena Showgrounds and The Mac Theatre Belfast. Beyond Skin integrated these performances into calendar events (Example Chinese New Year) and other projects. Davie from Shankill Road Defenders visited Sri Lanka as part of the Beyond Skin Parallel Versing Project supported by Arts Council NI and Mauricio Velaseirra (artist with WOMAD Foundation) helped facilitate Music Unite workshops and events. This culminated in a shared event 30th March at The Mac Theatre with the CEO of The Music Project Sri Lanka as a special guest. Presented also at The Mac event was a report examining the Music Unite pilot project by Professor John Brewer and Dr Francis Teeney from the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice, (Queen’s University Belfast).

Professor John Brewer said:“The study demonstrates that music is indeed a powerful way of drawing together people from diverse backgrounds. It is widely accepted that there is a growing sense of alienation amongst young working class Loyalist men and we are delighted to say that the project was warmly welcomed by all involved and especially Shankill Road Defenders participants who do feel that their music and cultural expressions are greatly misunderstood.”

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PROJECT: MUSIC UNITE: ACCESS ALL AREAS

In January 2016 Beyond Skin applied to Belfast City Council for funding to develop Music Unite to the next level taking bands into places with new audiences. The project was titled Music Unite: Access All Areas with the aim of delivering workshops leading to four public performances. Beyond Skin were notified in April 2016 the application was successful with the project to start in June. Meanwhile Beyond Skin were having serious issues regarding CDPB regarding passing on the funding from NI Executive to the artists who had delivered the project. It was not until August Beyond Skin was paid. In September Beyond Skin through 3rd parties discovered CDPB through the Unite Against Hate brand had acquired funding from NI Executive to continue the project and were sourcing other musicians to deliver the project. The Beyond Skin artists naturally were hurt after they had committed so much and taken so many risks in this sensitive project to be dropped by CDPB. Beyond Skin also had committed to deliver the project for Belfast City Council which created problems.Beyond Skin management took a decision to drop the Music Unite brand and use the Access All Areas name for the project. The Access All Areas events in 2016 were very successfully, again a testimony to the commitment of all the musicians and management team involved. Three events took place: Beat Carnival Village Festival South Belfast, Youth Day Event East Belfast, Lantern Beat Carnival event Shankill Road North Belfast. One more event is scheduled to take place in 2017. Collaboration musicians were Davy Bates, Jan Uhrin, Julius Mitchell, Mauricio Velasierra, KarwanShareffand Beat N Drum Samba Band. Links to related videos Video: Youth Day Ballymacarrett Defenders Flute Band & Beyond Skin Artists https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s2yvBgM99A Video: Ballymacarrett Defenders & Julius Mitchell at Beat Carnival Village event. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVwyMRsdYZU

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PROJECT: WASTE NO TIME (WNoT)

The Waste No Time Project began a few years ago at a discussion around the changes in our local Councils with a comment that most people are not greatly concerned about the changes. In fact, the one thing that people do care about, wherever they live and whoever they are, is that their bins get lifted. At that moment the idea for a people’s conversation project tin the Causeway Coast & Glens Council was born - with the principle that we need to start with what matters to people and exploring why we sometimes 'bin our voices'. The project is a partnership between five organisations: Beyond Skin, Building Communities Resource Centre, Corrymeela, Charo Lanao-Madden, Rural Community Network and Desert Fish. Funded by Building Change Trust. In 2016 the project visited 20 towns and villages in the Causeway Coast & Glens area the WNoT team have hosting pop-up democracy café’s, street theatre, residentials, exhibitions, workshops, presentations leading to the creation a forum theatre production. Related Links Website: www.wastenotime.net Video "Citizen of the Opera" www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gERRBWfPbM

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VARIOUS ACTIVITIES

BEE SAFE PROJECT (ANTRIM & NEWTOWNABBEY) A two week programme of short global education workshops with 1,500 children from 20 schools

REFUGEE WEEK A week long programme of activities in June (including Parallel Versing project workshops), on the subject of Welcome.

GLOBAL PEACE FOUNDATION CONFERENCE (September).

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COMMUNITY RELATIONS WEEK A week long programme of activities in September.Included #Youth4Peace workshops, peace Day events and the Mount Stewart Conversations Festival.

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PROJECT SUPPORT Investment and support from the following… Arts Council NI, IBIS Belfast Hotels, Belfast Harbour, WOMAD Foundation, Community Relations Council.Ards& North Down Borough Council, Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, British Council, Armagh, Banbridge&Craigavin Council, Belfast City Council, Mid Ulster Council, Inter Ethnic Forum, Building Change Trust, Peace IV, Causeway Coast & Glens Council, Omagh& Fermanagh Council, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Education Authority, NI Executive, Arts & Business, National Trust. CORE SUPPORT Annual support throughout 2016 came from the Arts Council. We were also delighted to have business investment and support from Belfast Harbour & IBIS Belfast Hotel.