A University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) community group has received an award from the European Parliament.
The award is for its contributions to social justice.
The Creative Communities Group (CCG) runs events throughout the year to raise awareness of important issues around discrimination.
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They also inspire people to get involved in the common good through visual and performing arts.
They have been given a SOLIDAR Silver Rose award.
The Group has won the Building Learning Societies – Education and Lifelong Learning category after being nominated by Professor Romesh Gupta OBE.
The Silver Rose Awards are held annually in the European Parliament by SOLIDAR, a worldwide network of civil society organisations, in co-operation with the Socialists and Democrats group.
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Professor Gupta said: “The CCG focuses on visual and performing arts, great stories and narratives to inspire others to ‘make a difference’ through lifelong learning.
“Members raise awareness of important issues and inspire others to get involved in the common good.
“The Group has been doing an amazing job over the years in connecting the University with our local community, helping us to build social capital and collaborative partnerships. Congratulations on the Silver Rose award.”
The University’s CCG has been working with the community since it was set up by UCLan Honorary Fellow Russell Hogarth in 2012.
Over the last eight years it has been involved with many events such as the annual Health Mela and crowdfunding project Preston Soup.
Its flagship One Billion Rising event, which takes place every February, is part of a global movement that asks people to stand together in peaceful protest against violence towards women and girls.
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Russell said: “I’m honoured and delighted that in the year when the UK leaves the European Parliament, the UCLan Creative Communities Group has been recognised by our EU partners for our contribution to lifelong learning and active citizenship with the EU SOLIDAR 2020 Silver Rose award.
“This is another great achievement for the CCG and I’d like to say thank you to all the members for their collective contribution to helping us to achieve this award.”
The CCG network has over 300 national and international members, with representation across Europe, in Australia, Nigeria, Hong Kong, the Caribbean, the Ukraine, China, Canada and the USA. For more information, visit the CCG website.
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