VIEW, Issue three, 2012


Website: viewdigital.org


Page 18


Keynote speakers: Lecturer Duncan Morrow and Aliva Kilmurray, director of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland


community sector. Featuring a panel of experts, ‘Challenging Times: Priorities for the Community Sector’ was organ- ised by the Community Foundation’s Observatory, with help from the Building Change Trust. Almost 100 delegates attended the packed con-


Key challenges outlined at Community Convention A


recent Community Convention at the Lans- downe Court Hotel in Belfast heard key figures discuss the challenges facing the local


ference to hear Paul Cavanagh from the Health and Social Care Board speak on the challenges of strengthening local communities, while Les Allemby, Trustee at the Community Foundation and Direc- tor of the Law Centre NI, focused on tackling poverty and exclusion. Monica McWilliams, now Professor of Women’s Studies at the University of Ulster, addressed the convention on social justice, rights and equality, while Paddy Logue from the Irish Peaces Centres helped tackle the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland. Finally, Duncan Morrow, a senior lecturer at the


University of Ulster and former head of the Com- munity Relations Council, outlined the key issues on creating a shared future locally. Mr Morrow said: “We have to have a bigger vi- sion in Northern Ireland. “We have a chance to work together as a com-


munity. Do we want to retain the boundaries? Community relations work needs to be made more relevant. “And in order for tourists to come back here


and for our children to stay here, we need to make this place more attractive. “There is a concern also that we are developing


into two single party states. Perhaps we need to organise our own civic forum. “It is not about challenging politicians, but to try and encourage a much wider debate.” Workshops on these major themes then ex-


plored the challenges further and participants also shared views on the best approaches to removing barriers and overcoming challenges for the sector. Later, the delegates at the convention were ad-


dressed by Steve Pittam from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and Gabriel Channan, independent adviser on community Development. Further workshops, focusing on the future of the sector, also took place.


munity convention was a great opportunity to have a direct conversation on the challenges facing us as a society and a sector. “It was a great chance to look at ways to sup-


port and develop the community sector to deliver through difficult times and also inform strategic di- rection at the Community Foundation for North- ern Ireland. “My thanks go to everyone involved in the con-


Equality speech: Professor Monica McWilliams Observatory facilitator Iris Elliot said; “This com-


Foundation for Northern Ireland, said; “It is always a salutary exercise to examine the environment in which we operate. “Looking at core issues for the sector allows a


greater, general picture to emerge and I am de- lighted this event was such a success. “The large numbers in attendance prove just


ference, in particular the key speakers but also the delegates who came from across Northern Ireland to give their views – all of which are incredibly im- portant."


how engaged delegates are on the future of the sector and I thank everyone who made the effort to attend.” For more information on the Community Foun- dation for Northern Ireland’s Observatory, click online at www.communityfoundationni.org


Avila Kilmurray, Director of the Community


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