Urban Regeneration through Human Rights: A Residents' Jury in North Belfast

Communities across north Belfast contain some of the highest levels of deprivation and inequality in Northern Ireland with regard to health, education, employment and housing. The regeneration of Girdwood Barracks and Crumlin Road Gaol, a 27 acre site, represents a major opportunity to improve the quality of life for residents.

On 28th May 2008, a diverse group of residents from the communities surrounding the regeneration site were convened as a Residents' Jury to hear evidence from local, national, and international perspectives on how regeneration can improve quality of life in accordance with international human rights standards. Prior to the event, the group had completed a development programme with the PPR Project about human rights, equality, participation, accountability and urban regeneration.

The Residents' Jury are developing human rights indicators and benchmarks to ensure that the rights of the most disadvantaged groups within the surrounding communities, are central to the regeneration process.

This video introduced the Residents' Jury at the event.

Speakers included:
-Virginia Bras Gomes (Portugal) Member of the UN Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights

-Ron Shiffman (USA) Founding member of the Pratt Center for Community Development, New York

-Prof. Richard Wilkinson (England) University of Nottingham, author of 'The Impact of Inequality'

-Joseph McNeely (USA) Coordinator of the Central Baltimore Partnership

For press coverage, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMmFQyQ9lN0
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edxiYJDR9s0

Video by Creative Media Partnerships:
www.creativemediapartnerships.org

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Human
• Rights
• Urban
• Regeneration
• PPR
• Project
• Girdwood
• Crumlin
• Road
• Gaol
• Participation
• Accountability
• Equality
• Employment
• Education
• Housing
• Health
• Care
• Development
• Belfast
• Northern
• Ireland

[mountainmanrab]

"The greatest thing in the world is not so much where we are,

but in what direction we are moving.""I do not know what your destiny will be, but one thing I

know: the only ones among you who will be truly happy

are those who will have sought and found how to serve."what takeing so long

[marcoetio]

Real participatory process. Manage it, it will be an example to many, the world over, just show us more. Fine title!