SVG Consul to Northern Ireland receives Award at Stormont Parliament

Dr. Christopher Stange, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Honourary Consul to Northern Ireland, recently received an award for his Community and Voluntary Work to the African and Caribbean Diaspora in Northern Ireland.{{more}}

Anna Lo, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), presented the award to him in front of a packed audience in the Great Hall, Stormont Parliament Buildings.

In commemoration of the United Nation’s International Year for People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice and Development and Africa Week 2011, the African-Caribbean Community Support Organisation for Northern Ireland (ACSONI) also launched its African and Caribbean Awards at Stormont.

These awards are an annual commemoration designed to recognise outstanding achievements and contribution to the community. It covers five main areas: Education, Music & Arts, Entrepreneurial & Business, Community & Voluntary Work and Woman of the Year, that honour individuals, groups, businesses and companies of African or Caribbean links in Northern Ireland.

Speakers at the event included Anna Lo, the first ethnic minority to be elected to Stormont Parliament, and Alfred Abolarin – ACSONI’s Programme Manager with regional representative presentations from North, South and West Africa, and the Caribbean.

Music and poetry was also featured from various other members of the African and Caribbean Community in Northern Ireland.

The awards were provided through the generosity of Schrader Electronics Ltd. in Antrim.

The audience was entertained by Adanta Dance group from London with Fairtrade refreshments and a finger buffet.