Menu
29/01/2013
Alliance Launches 'For Everyone'
The Alliance Party has today published its version of what an Executive Strategy for creating a Shared Future should look like.
The publication comes in the context of ongoing absence of a formal Northern Ireland policy for building a shared future, fifteen years on from the Good Friday Agreement and six years from the restoration of devolution.
Speaking as the Party launched 'For Everyone, The Alliance Party Blueprint For An Executive Strategy To Build A Shared and Better Future', Alliance Leader David Ford called for all Party Leaders to commit immediately to an open and inclusive process to deliver an effective strategy.
Mr Ford said: "Building a shared future in Northern Ireland is the biggest challenge facing our political institutions and wider civic society. This challenge has been clear for many years, but has now been brought into even sharper focus by recent events on our streets.
"Continued divisions in our society impact upon people in many ways, including how we live, how we learn, how we work and how we play. These divisions bring significant human, social, economic and financial costs.
"By contrast, the creation of a shared future would provide better opportunities for all and significantly assist the development of our economy.
"For the past decades, all of the main initiatives to improve community relations have occurred under Direct Rule. But if we are to fundamentally transform this society, then a deep and meaningful commitment to a shared future must be embedded within the Assembly and the Executive. Such considerations should be right at the heart of everything that government does.
"Yet six years on from the restoration of devolution, there is still no comprehensive policy in place.
"Alliance is now publishing our own proposals for how an Executive Strategy should look. This sets the benchmark on what should be the ambitions for transforming this society over the coming decade.
"Alliance withdrew from the Working Group on Cohesion, Sharing and Integration as we did not believe that the process was either effective or inclusive. It was not reflecting the many worthy contributions that were made to the CSI consultation. Moreover, the process was heading towards a lowest common denominator, with many critical issues either being ignored or downplayed.
"It remains open to the other parties on the CSI Working Group to publish a document. Alliance is not blocking this from occurring. We are willing to engage with the other parties on our proposals. Ultimately, agreement is now best found through open and inclusive discussions within a shared future forum, including both the main political parties and representatives from civil society."
(CD)
The publication comes in the context of ongoing absence of a formal Northern Ireland policy for building a shared future, fifteen years on from the Good Friday Agreement and six years from the restoration of devolution.
Speaking as the Party launched 'For Everyone, The Alliance Party Blueprint For An Executive Strategy To Build A Shared and Better Future', Alliance Leader David Ford called for all Party Leaders to commit immediately to an open and inclusive process to deliver an effective strategy.
Mr Ford said: "Building a shared future in Northern Ireland is the biggest challenge facing our political institutions and wider civic society. This challenge has been clear for many years, but has now been brought into even sharper focus by recent events on our streets.
"Continued divisions in our society impact upon people in many ways, including how we live, how we learn, how we work and how we play. These divisions bring significant human, social, economic and financial costs.
"By contrast, the creation of a shared future would provide better opportunities for all and significantly assist the development of our economy.
"For the past decades, all of the main initiatives to improve community relations have occurred under Direct Rule. But if we are to fundamentally transform this society, then a deep and meaningful commitment to a shared future must be embedded within the Assembly and the Executive. Such considerations should be right at the heart of everything that government does.
"Yet six years on from the restoration of devolution, there is still no comprehensive policy in place.
"Alliance is now publishing our own proposals for how an Executive Strategy should look. This sets the benchmark on what should be the ambitions for transforming this society over the coming decade.
"Alliance withdrew from the Working Group on Cohesion, Sharing and Integration as we did not believe that the process was either effective or inclusive. It was not reflecting the many worthy contributions that were made to the CSI consultation. Moreover, the process was heading towards a lowest common denominator, with many critical issues either being ignored or downplayed.
"It remains open to the other parties on the CSI Working Group to publish a document. Alliance is not blocking this from occurring. We are willing to engage with the other parties on our proposals. Ultimately, agreement is now best found through open and inclusive discussions within a shared future forum, including both the main political parties and representatives from civil society."
(CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 November 2024
Visit Belfast Celebrates 25 Years of Transforming Tourism Landscape
Visit Belfast, the city's dedicated Destination Marketing and Management Organisation (DMMO), is celebrating a quarter-century of success.
Visit Belfast Celebrates 25 Years of Transforming Tourism Landscape
Visit Belfast, the city's dedicated Destination Marketing and Management Organisation (DMMO), is celebrating a quarter-century of success.
22 November 2024
Alliance 'Deeply Concerned' Over Pace Of HIA Redress Scheme
The Alliance Party has raised concerns over the rate of progress on the redress scheme for Historical Institutional Abuse of children. The party's Executive Office spokesperson, Paula Bradshaw MLA, has called on the First and deputy First Minister (FMdFM) must meet victims and survivors urgently over memorialisation and other issues.
Alliance 'Deeply Concerned' Over Pace Of HIA Redress Scheme
The Alliance Party has raised concerns over the rate of progress on the redress scheme for Historical Institutional Abuse of children. The party's Executive Office spokesperson, Paula Bradshaw MLA, has called on the First and deputy First Minister (FMdFM) must meet victims and survivors urgently over memorialisation and other issues.
14 November 2024
Health Minister Seeks Urgent Talks On Pay
The Health Minister has confirmed that he has requested an early meeting with health service trade unions to discuss next steps on pay offers for 2024/25. Due to Northern Ireland's budgetary constraints, the Minister is unable to deliver the desired pay settlements for this year.
Health Minister Seeks Urgent Talks On Pay
The Health Minister has confirmed that he has requested an early meeting with health service trade unions to discuss next steps on pay offers for 2024/25. Due to Northern Ireland's budgetary constraints, the Minister is unable to deliver the desired pay settlements for this year.
31 May 2012
Alliance Under Fire For 'Ludicrous' Move
Alliance Party politicians have come under fire for pulling out of a Stormont all-party working group. Last week, leader David Ford announced the party’s departure from a group set up to discuss community relations. Mr Ford said the Cohesion, Sharing and Integration group had not been strong enough on schools, housing or flags.
Alliance Under Fire For 'Ludicrous' Move
Alliance Party politicians have come under fire for pulling out of a Stormont all-party working group. Last week, leader David Ford announced the party’s departure from a group set up to discuss community relations. Mr Ford said the Cohesion, Sharing and Integration group had not been strong enough on schools, housing or flags.
30 April 2013
Villiers Calls For 'Sectarian-Free' NI
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has called on MLAs to work together towards a sectarian-free Northern Ireland. Noting that some young people involved in disorder this year were born after the peace process, Ms Villiers said lawlessness sends a negative message round the world.
Villiers Calls For 'Sectarian-Free' NI
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has called on MLAs to work together towards a sectarian-free Northern Ireland. Noting that some young people involved in disorder this year were born after the peace process, Ms Villiers said lawlessness sends a negative message round the world.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
