The Nerve Centre launched its latest CD-rom last week at the BBC Blackstaff Studio in Belfast.

"The Ulster Wean's A-Z of Spaces and Places" CD-rom is the first is a series of CD-roms exploring the culture of Ulster through the eyes of local children.

Aimed at eight to 11-year-olds, this resource promotes understanding of Ulster's built and natural heritage, seasonal changes, and how different cultures and religions celebrate sporting traditions and festivals.

The resource contains extensive video footage of children talking about their sporting, cultural, religious and social lives. Children from all over the six counties of Northern Ireland, with each county's distinctive accent given a platform, have performed the voice-overs.

The "Spaces" section of the CD-rom concentrates on seasonal changes, sporting activities, religious observance and custom, and festivals.

The Nerve Centre has developed a series of workshops available to school groups wishing to use the resource. A training programme for parents is also being piloted in community centres.

"This is a valuable addition to children's learning resources on cultural diversity in Northern Ireland," according to Ray Mullan, CRC's Director of Communications.

"The Ulster Weans' A-Z was first produced in book form by the Community Relations Council eight years ago and has been a popular educational resource. The Nerve Centre has done an excellent job in adapting the original concept and images into this animated CD which should encourage teachers and youth workers to promote appreciation of our diverse heritage."

This project was funded by the Community Relations Council (CRC) under the EU programme for Peace & Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland (Peace II).