Good Relations Week 2025
Good Relations Week 2025, taking place from 13th to 19th October, embraces ‘Connect’ as its theme – recognising that the foundation of a better community is built on People, Planet, and Prosperity, all connected by the goal of Peace.
By showcasing the dynamism, creativity, and dedication of local groups, organisations, and individuals, we can highlight the transformative power of working together and connecting with one another to address key challenges such as sectarianism, racism, inequality, health and well-being, poverty, and education.
Get involved in Good Relations Week 2025, and help create a future where peace is not just an aspiration, but a reality.
FODC Good Relations Week Events
“Brass Fest at the Buttermarket”
This event aims to bring together bands from all over Ireland for a day filled with music, cross community spirit, and cultural interaction and celebration.
The festival is not just about music; it’s about building a stronger, more connected community through the universal language of brass band music and promoting cross-community and multicultural interaction. The event will inspire pride in our local traditions, promote cultural diversity, and strengthen community bonds for years to come. (The project was developed before the revision of this years GR Week calendar confirmation).
“The Shared Past of Desmonds”
Desmonds, once prominent clothing manufacturer in Northern Ireland, founded by Brigid Desmond in Claudy in 1885, expanded into a major garment manufacturer with multiple factories across Northern Ireland, including Irvinestown and Enniskillen. At its peak, Desmonds employed nearly 3,500 workers throughout Northern Ireland. The company eventually faced challenges due to increased global competition, shifting its production overseas, leading to its voluntary liquidation in 2004. Dr Johnny Hamill will deliver a talk on the shared history of Desmonds and its legacy in the local areas of Irvinestown and Enniskillen.
“Your Council, Your Questions”
An opportunity for older people to ask questions of their local representatives on the issues that affect them most.
The “Your Council, Your Questions” event, on Tuesday 14th October 2025, in the FODC Council Offices, The Grange, Omagh, supported through FODC Good Relations Programme in collaboration with SWAP, and Age Friendly NI will deliver a healthy and robust Question and Answer event for our older citizens to talk to representatives of the local council parties about the issues that are important to them and also feedback into the new Age Friendly Strategy which is currently out as a draft document.
The event will be facilitated by Peter Osborne who highlighted “that events like this are extremely important in order to develop an environment that promotes and understands the needs of our older citizens, and to ensure that they remain informed and engaged with the democratic process”.
Currently 18% of the population within FODC are classified as been over 65, and by 2040 this figure will rise to 25%. This is an important cohort of active potential voters at local and regional elections.
The event will provide a great cross community engagement opportunity for our older people to come together, and also an opportunity for them to engage with their local councillors, from different political parties, to discuss their key issues and concerns.
“Colours of Culture Exhibition”
This exhibition is part of a programme of Cross Cultural Celebrations funded by The Executive Office District Council Good Relations Programme (DCGRP) and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to promote greater understanding of cultural heritage in the district.
Showcasing the vibrant Irish dance and Highland dance scene, young people pay tribute to their own cultural heritage and show respect to others culture. Photographs with a mixture of traditional costume and a modern twist with casual costume show how both dance forms can adapt to a modern setting and still retain their identity.
Photographs shot in locations in both county towns, Crom Estate, Gortin Glens Forest Park and the Ulster American Folk Park were used to showcase the uniqueness of the landscape and the rich cultural heritage of the district.
“School Democracy Event”
The Strule Shared Education Campus Youth Council, consisting of representatives from all 6 post primary schools in Omagh, with the support of FODC Good Relations Team will be attending our GR Local Democracy Programme Event during Good Relations Week. The 2-hour programme will provide an opportunity for FODC and the Shared Education Campus Youth Council and support teachers to participate in a programme to highlight how Local Government operates and its roles and responsibilities. The event would be hosted in the Council Chamber at the Grange in Omagh
“Good Relations Pop Up”
Good Relations staff will be at Lisnaskea and Enniskillen library’s to meet and greet the public promoting the work of FODC Good Relations and raising the profile of the DCGRP.
“Strule Shared Education Careers West Event””
The Strule Shared Education Campus with the support of FODC Good Relations Team are supporting all post primary pupils in Omagh to attend an exciting careers exhibition at Omagh Leisure Centre.
“Harvest of the World”
A celebration of Christian faith expressed by the many different nationalities who call Omagh their home. Connections through faith creating a sense of community and belonging welcoming newcomers young and old.
“Understanding the Asylum Process & Refugee Rights”
This closed training event will provide the newly established FODC Newcomers Interagency Network information on, and a greater understanding of the Asylum process and refugee rights. The event will also help to explore the misunderstandings & myths in relation to migration and answers common questions about the asylum and refugee process.
“International Day of Climate Action”
The Chair’s Reception to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the district’s Community Climate Champions. All recipients will be invited to bring up to three guests; either individuals who have supported their climate work or those who may be inspired to embark on their own climate action journey. In total, the event could bring together up to 32 residents.
A keynote speaker will address key climate challenges and highlight actions relevant to both Northern Ireland and the local district. Each attendee will receive a small gift as a token of appreciation, recognising their contributions but with the main focus on inspiring continued climate action and learning.
The evening will also include informal networking over tea, coffee, and a light finger-food buffet, with members of the Climate Team on hand throughout to answer questions and provide professional support where possible.
“Small Worlds Café-style Workshops”
Small Worlds workshops are interactive events, providing a safe space to learn about the lived experiences of others from around the world.
Workshops overcome fear and mistrust of those seen as ‘different,’ addresses misunderstandings and dispels myths, fosters respect, trust, empathy, and highlights the similarities we all share.
Small groups of 4 to 6 people meet with hosts from different countries for 15 to 20 minutes each. The hosts share their life stories and reasons for coming to NI, and participants can ask questions then move on to another ‘Small World’ to meet the next host.