Become a Living Book

January 17, 2008

Those with interesting or unusual stories to tell are invited to join the Living Library project run by Armidale Dumaresq Council, with the first event being held at the Australia Day celebrations at the Armidale Racecourse.

Armidale Dumaresq Council's Community Liaison Officer Steve Widders says he is after anyone with unusual occupations, lifestyles or from different social, religious and ethnic backgrounds to tell others about their beliefs and ways of life.

"Armidale certainly has the interested and interesting people needed to make this project work and we hope to attract as many people as possible to help promote the community harmony and understanding that the Living Library project offers," he said.

First developed in Denmark, the Living Library aims to foster social cohesion and understanding of individual differences by providing a supportive environment that opens people's minds to a wider community beyond their usual familiar circles of reference.

A similar exercise was run briefly in October last year as part of the Together Together project, which represented the diversity of the Armidale community by including French, Chilean, German and Filipino migrants, members of the Aboriginal and Sudanese refugee communities, and those with Anglo backgrounds.

All enquiries should be directed to Steve Widders at Armidale Dumaresq Council on 6770 3865. Those wishing to take part in the Australia Day event as living books should contact him before 21 January.

Posted by Alex Dunn at January 17, 2008 02:38 PM