A CONFERENCE on social integration in schools is due to be held in Nelson.

The Building Bridges Interfaith Community Project is due to hold the conference on June 20.

The aim of the conference is to examine social inclusion strategies for year six pupils to determine whether policies have any impact on their secondary education.

For the past two years Building Bridges has been piloting schemes for social cohesion in schools, based on Government guidelines.

A spokesman for the Building Bridges group said: "There is at present a sea change in the teaching of religious education in schools; moving from traditionally presented information on world religions to a more socially based, interactive education.

"A second strand of this conference will look at the challenges posed to education by our multi-cultural society, with specific emphasis upon areas where the multi-cultural mix is significant, such as in many inner city areas, with specific reference to the north and north-west.

"It is the proposition of Building Bridges that positive, pro-active work in the area of building social cohesion is a fundamental and urgent task, and that that the resourcing of such work be made an absolute priority.

"Surely the adage 'prevention is better than cure' has a real echo here. This conference will disseminate the work of Building Bridges to date in the hope of inspiring others in similar areas to engage in in further pro-active work for social cohesion and network together for a wider vision and effectiveness."

The conference, which runs from 9.30am to 3.15pm will be held at the Northern Technologies Centre in the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate.

Speakers from the Civil Service and the Local Education Authority are expected to speak at the conference.