More than 150 parents today (14 June 2012) celebrated the completion of an innovative training project at a graduation ceremony in Belfast.

The Building New Communities through Positive Parenting and Reconciliation (BNCPPR) Project is designed to empower parents with the practical knowhow and confidence to promote change and engage with children on important community relations issues.

Funded by the International Fund for Ireland through its Sharing in Education Programme, and led by the South Eastern Education and Library Board, it involves parents from 40 nursery schools that are paired on a cross-community basis and drawn from areas that face social disadvantages.

Participants enrolled on the project have the option to obtain an accredited Open College Network (OCN) Level 2 training qualification, while teachers and classroom assistants support parents to access cross-community and reconciliation training that compliments the parenting methods in the classroom.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Siobhan Fitzpatrick CBE, Board Member of the International Fund for Ireland, said: “This is a high quality programme that works to instil confidence and practical parenting knowhow. But it also has the capacity to tackle difficult issues that affect communities and can help parents to prevent and breakdown negative attitudes and behaviour.

“For young people the greatest risk of developing behavioural problems is at an early age. BNCPPR reduces that risk by equipping parents, teachers and classroom assistants with effective engagement methods and a network of support. This project can help create a basis for positive cross-community relationships between children now and for forthcoming generations.”

Michael Devine, BNCPPR Project Manager, said:

“Parents from all walks of life want the same thing, for their children to be happy, safe and successful. This project works to bring about this positive change and the immense enthusiasm, ambition and collaborative efforts from those involved is making it a reality. That’s reflected in the remarkable 98% completion rate of the OCN accreditation and the difference this project is making for parents in everyday life.

“Parenting can be an enabler for better community relations and dissolve old mindsets. It is important that the right resources are made available to help parents make a lasting impact.”

To date the project has been successfully rolled out through 16 nursery schools in Northern Ireland and uses the internationally approved Incredible Years Programme for Parents (IYPP) as a platform to deliver community relations learning.

It is the only project to also address reconciliation issues using collaborative training styles and shared experimental learning experiences.

The Fund’s Sharing in Education Programme seeks to break down barriers from Northern Ireland’s historic conflict by providing a range of opportunities for young people to learn and work together. To date over £16m has been invested in SiEP which was launched in 2008.