OMAGH SUMMER SCHOOL IS FIRST STEP TO RENEWAL
Omagh summer school is 'first step' to renewal
By Seamus McKinney
REGENERATION, Renewal and Beyond is the theme of a summer school to be held in Omagh next month.
Taking place a week after the first anniversary of the bomb which devastated the Co Tyrone town on August 15 last year, the summer school is the first step in moving into the future, according to town clerk of Omagh District Council John McKinney.
The conference, between August 22 and 24, will be chaired by expert in urban renewal Cesar McDowell from the University of Massachusetts and will draw influential speakers from the US, Britain and Northern Ireland.
Mr McKinney said the school was a natural development from the policy of Omagh Renewal which was instigated in the immediate aftermath of last year's bombing atrocity.
He said the conference will focus on two aspects, the human and the physical, and would look back as well as looking into the future.
A feature of the school would be the location of some events in neighbouring towns such as Strabane and Derry as well as Buncrana in Co Donegal where three of the bomb victims lived.
As well as examining the way in which people can be helped, Mr McKinney said the summer school would investigate the economic regeneration of the region.
"People must rebuild their towns. They must rebuild their whole area here in the west and it will be important looking at urban renewal, looking at some of the things we're doing in Omagh, looking at things that are happening in other parts of the world, looking at where learning experiences can be gained," he said.
At the same time as the summer school, a major conference on international planning is being held and representatives of 20 different countries are expected to attend the two events.
Mr McKinney said anyone seeking further information about the summer school could do so by contacting Omagh district council on (01662) 245321.
By Seamus McKinney
REGENERATION, Renewal and Beyond is the theme of a summer school to be held in Omagh next month.
Taking place a week after the first anniversary of the bomb which devastated the Co Tyrone town on August 15 last year, the summer school is the first step in moving into the future, according to town clerk of Omagh District Council John McKinney.
The conference, between August 22 and 24, will be chaired by expert in urban renewal Cesar McDowell from the University of Massachusetts and will draw influential speakers from the US, Britain and Northern Ireland.
Mr McKinney said the school was a natural development from the policy of Omagh Renewal which was instigated in the immediate aftermath of last year's bombing atrocity.
He said the conference will focus on two aspects, the human and the physical, and would look back as well as looking into the future.
A feature of the school would be the location of some events in neighbouring towns such as Strabane and Derry as well as Buncrana in Co Donegal where three of the bomb victims lived.
As well as examining the way in which people can be helped, Mr McKinney said the summer school would investigate the economic regeneration of the region.
"People must rebuild their towns. They must rebuild their whole area here in the west and it will be important looking at urban renewal, looking at some of the things we're doing in Omagh, looking at things that are happening in other parts of the world, looking at where learning experiences can be gained," he said.
At the same time as the summer school, a major conference on international planning is being held and representatives of 20 different countries are expected to attend the two events.
Mr McKinney said anyone seeking further information about the summer school could do so by contacting Omagh district council on (01662) 245321.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0291
Published Date: 28-Jul-99
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