Hanson praises North Belfast interface volunteers - 7 November 2005

Young people can only realise their opportunities in an environment free from violence and hate, the Social Development Minister said today.

David Hanson MP was speaking at an event in the Waterfront Hall to thank volunteers who helped keep hundreds of young people away from interface violence in North Belfast this summer.

The £110,000 programme provided outreach workers and a wide range of activities including sports, arts, environmental projects, day trips and social events. It was funded by the Department for Social Development (DSD), Belfast Education and Library Board, the Community Relations Council and the Probation Board for Northern Ireland Free access to leisure centres was provided by Belfast City Council.

The Minister said: "While the attention of the media has focused on riots and violence, a great deal of good work has taken place.

"I was very encouraged to hear how people from interface communities right across North Belfast had worked co-operatively together in partnership with voluntary and statutory representatives to develop and deliver a summer youth intervention programme.

"Some worked to the point of exhaustion at times of high tension and at unsocial hours to keep young people safe and away from violence. They have made and continue to make a truly valuable contribution to the community and to our young people's lives.

"The future of Northern Ireland is in the hands of its young people and Government recognises this. The recently announced draft budget redirects resources to new policies all focused on enhancing the lives of the next generation, giving them a better quality of life and realising their opportunities. They can only do this in an environment free from violence and hate."

Up to £10,000 was offered to each of 10 area-based Community Empowerment Partnerships (CEPs) in North Belfast to develop and deliver a programme of activities from July to September 2005.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. In recognition of the multiple issues affecting interface communities in North Belfast, DSD' North Belfast Community Action Unit established a joint community/statutory Interface Steering Group with the aim of working collectively to develop a strategy to address these problems. The group agreed that a focus on youth was the top priority in the short term and representatives from communities from both sides of interfaces across North Belfast worked collaboratively with officials on a short-term action plan for summer 2005 to minimise the potential for young people to become involved in disorder at times of high tension.

2. The Interface Steering Group will continue to work together to develop a more considered and wide ranging strategy to build on cooperation and address issues that affect both communities.

3. A network of Community Empowerment Partnership delivers a Community Capacity Building programme in North Belfast, funded by the North Belfast Community Action Unit of DSD. Each Community Empowerment Partnership is made up of a number of community groups working together. Further information on the Partnerships is available on the website www.northbelfastcommunityactionunit.org

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