Footprints for the Future

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council hosted a ceremony on 15 November 2022 to coincide with this year’s Interfaith Week. The event was designed to celebrate the diversity of cultures and faiths that exist in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area with the planting of trees and the burying of a time capsule for future generations to enjoy and learn from.

The trees were planted in the diversity garden in St Julian’s Park, Omagh members of Fermanagh and Omagh Interfaith Group and local volunteers assisted by Council Officers. Following the tree planting a time capsule, which contains artefacts from a variety of faiths and cultures in the district, was buried and it is intended that it will be opened in 100 years-time.

Thie time capsule is a key part of this garden as it encapsulates its history and significance. The garden was created by a group of volunteers from different backgrounds and faiths from across the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area in 2021. The volunteers worked together and planted 20 trees of 12 different species and many plants and purple crocus bulbs. The trees were carefully selected as they are specially valued in the respective participants’ cultures and, as such, a symbol of the various ethnicities from around the world that are part of a vibrant community here.

2021 was a challenging year with the COVID-19 pandemic at its peak and everyone adapting to the associated preventative measures and social restrictions. The pandemic had a big impact on people’s physical and mental health, their social activity and community spirit. The garden project offered people the opportunity for face-to-face communication and was a welcome opportunity for a community to come together and enjoy the outdoors again.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference, referred to as COP26, was another very important event in 2021. It clearly recognised the damaging impact of our lifestyles on nature, but also our resolution to make positive changes and collectively become more considerate of the environment. As a result, this garden became even more valuable as it demonstrates our efforts to contribute to the overall vision of preserving the place we live in. Importantly, the Conference also highlighted the value of the voices of women and young people.

Speaking about the event, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Barry McElduff, said:

“I attended the event on Tuesday 15 November 2022. It was really encouraging to see to many people from different cultures and faiths come together to celebrate the diversity of the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area.

Interfaith Week aims to strengthen good interfaith relations, develop integrated communities, celebrate diversity and commonality and open opportunities for partnership working.

These aims support the Council’s commitment to Good Relations to ensure that equality, inclusivity and diversity are placed at the core of all the Council’s services as well as our actions to ensure a shared future for all.

To achieve this, the Council launched the Everybody Belongs Campaign in 2021 to demonstrate its commitment to valuing each and every resident in the District”.

It is significant that this event will take place during Interfaith Week 2022. Interfaith Week is about highlighting the contribution of faith groups to society; spotlighting inter-faith cooperation and understanding; and encouraging dialogue between those of religious and non-religious beliefs. It’s a wonderful platform to share, learn and build relationships with neighbours, colleagues and service users of different backgrounds, promote diversity and integration goals and to come together in service for the common good #Interfaithweek.