Ad to encourage 'peace building'

The campaign hopes to combat sectarianism in Northern Ireland

A new advertising campaign aims to break down the sectarian and racist barriers that divide society in Northern Ireland.

The advert from the One Small Step campaign, which is launched on Monday, features the voice of Kenneth Branagh.

It shows controversial sectarian and racist words and offers people practical ideas on peace-building.

One Small Step campaign chairman Trevor Ringland said that the advert should act as a wake-up call to everyone.

"The One Small Step campaign believes that Northern Ireland's future must be a shared one and that the only way to achieve this is if we all try to overcome the many barriers, large and small, that divide us," he said.

The advertising campaign will run on local television throughout February.

'Make a difference'

Mr Ringland said the campaign was hoping to encourage people to start taking small steps to "break down the barriers of misunderstanding, hatred and distrust that hold Northern Ireland back".

The advert shows people confronting sectarian and racist taunts and words such as fear, division and violence.

The people are depicted stepping through the barrier and emerging to realise the significance and benefit of what they have done.

Mr Ringland said that although Northern Ireland had overcome many barriers, many still lay ahead.

"We hope that people will decide what small steps are appropriate for them and take action," he said.

"For example, someone who has rarely interacted with members of "the other community" could do something as small as reading a little bit about another tradition or reading a newspaper from "the other side".

"Everyone can and should do something which will make a difference in the context of a collective effort."