Health Minister Mike Nesbitt meeting young people taking part in the tournament.
Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and care-experienced young people have taken part in a football tournament aimed at promoting good community relations.
More than 150 children and young people registered to take part in the Northern Ireland International Community Cup in Belfast, which was supported and organised by the Department of Health in partnership with the Irish Football Association (IFA) and Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
The purpose of the sporting event was to encourage integration and foster friendships, all while taking part in a fun and healthy activity.
It also provided a welcome opportunity for the young people involved to interact with Health Trusts, the PSNI and other statutory bodies in a positive, informal and engaging setting.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, who attended the event, congratulated all those who took part.
“This tournament is just one great example of the positive outreach work taking place within the care community in Northern Ireland," he said.
“It has provided an opportunity to highlight the commendable work by the Health and Social Care sector, working in partnership with others, to support children who arrive in Northern Ireland without their parent or legal guardian, to help address some of the stigma and negative perceptions of all young people in care, and to celebrate their successes.”
A total of 24 teams entered the tournament at Newforge Sports Complex covering Northern Ireland’s Health and Social Care Trust areas, with teams also from Barnardo’s, Include Youth, and Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC). There were two age sections - 14-16 and 17-21 year-olds, and more than a dozen nationalities represented.
The event promoted inclusion, integration, the value of diversity, and gave a clear message that children seeking asylum in Northern Ireland are welcome and will be supported by Health and Social Care Trusts. Those who took part provided enthusiastic feedback.
PSNI Superintendent Joanne Gibson, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Prevention, said:
“This event is a fantastic way for our service to establish relationships with a diverse range of young people, including those who have experience of the asylum process or care system here in Northern Ireland.
“It also provides an opportunity for young people to engage with one another, encourages integration and allows all of us to gain a better understanding of each other and issues faced by our young people.
“We hope that by taking part in this event we can establish what we hope will be lasting relationships between our young people and their police service.”
Nadine Murphy, Community Engagement Officer at the Irish FA Foundation, said:
“The International Community Cup was a great celebratory event.
“It was the first of its kind to be staged in Northern Ireland and we hope to deliver it annually in the future.”
Unaccompanied children are children, as defined in article 1 of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, who have been separated from both parents and other relatives and are not being cared for by an adult who, by law or custom is responsible for doing so.
Unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) entering NI become looked after children, with Health and Social Care Trusts (HSC Trusts) assuming corporate parenting responsibilities and fulfilling the assessment, safeguarding and protection, care planning and looked after review requirements to identify and meet the children’s needs, including the provision of accommodation.