Breaking down barriers, building community

As part of Good Relations Week 2024, Habitat for Humanity held an important discussion with local faith leaders.

The panel was comprised of; Reverend John Dunlop, Reverend Harold Good, Lynda Gould (NICVA), Joe McKeown (CEO at Youth Link NI), Reverend Ivan Steen (South Kirk Presbyterian) and Jenny Williams (CEO at Habitat Ireland). Reverend Anna Williams, Curate at Seapatrick Parish Banbridge, acted as the host for the event.

This year, the theme of Good Relations Week is ‘OpportUNITY’ - a call to action to create a brighter, inclusive future for all. ‘OpportUNITY’ is a collective moment for us all to UNITE and be architects of change in helping build a region where every voice matters.

The panel discussed the impact of Habitat’s commitment to breaking down barriers, their own experience of faith in action in the context of a divided community and the importance of faith and seeking justice for the good of all people in 2024 and beyond.

Jenny Williams, Chief Executive of Habitat Ireland said, “For 30 years here in Ireland, Habitat’s mission has called more than 40,000 people to action, breaking down barriers as we build walls, bringing communities together and supporting the most vulnerable here at home and in countries around the world.

Good Relations Week provided a wonderful opportunity to bring people together to hear from range of voices about some of challenges, opportunities and reasons to be hopeful for our community.  Thank you to all of the panellists, our host Anna Williams and everyone who came along to join the conversation.”

Learn more about Habitat Ireland’s work and getting involved locally and globally.