More than 20 businesses and organisations across Northern Ireland are showing their commitment to cultural diversity by joining the Friends of Belfast Mela initiative.
The Friends of Mela initiative is a corporate partnership programme supporting the Belfast Mela—Northern Ireland’s largest celebration of cultural diversity. By becoming a Friend of Mela, organisations demonstrate their commitment to diversity and inclusion while enjoying a range of benefits that enhance their corporate social responsibility profile.
Dr. Nisha Tandon, OBE, Founder of the Belfast Mela Festival and CEO of ArtsEkta, says: “Summer in Northern Ireland wouldn’t be complete without the Belfast Mela — a vibrant celebration that brings tens of thousands together in a joyful showcase of global cultures. Since our humble beginnings in 2007 with just 300 people in Botanic Gardens, Mela has grown into a nine-day festival attracting more than 60,000 attendees and representing more than 20 nationalities who now call Belfast home.
“We’re grateful for the incredible support we’ve received from our Friends of Belfast Mela — true champions of diversity — but they still represent only a small part of Corporate Northern Ireland.
“As we prepare for the 19th Belfast Mela Festival this August, we invite more businesses to join us. Together, we can help build a welcoming, inclusive society where all communities thrive. At the core of Mela is the belief that the arts can inspire creative responses to local social challenges and help foster a sense of belonging for everyone.”
Current Friends of Belfast Mela include: Aflac; Allstate NI; BBC Northern Ireland; Belfast Harbour; Co-Ownership; Citi; Danske Bank; Department of Finance & NICS; Equality Commission for Northern Ireland; FinTrU, Grant Thornton; Hastings Hotels; HSBC; Liberty IT; Phoenix Energy; NIHE; Pinsent Masons; PSNI; Tony Clarke & Co; Translink and Ulster University along with media partners UTV and U105. To find out more about becoming a Friend of Belfast Mela, email admin@artsekta.org.uk
