Social Development Minister welcomes religious delegation from United States

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA, today welcomed a delegation of religious representatives from New York to Northern Ireland.

The visit, hosted locally by the Churches Community Work Alliance, is to examine how inter-religious groups in the US and Northern Ireland can impact and influence policy development in relation to community development work and environmental projects.

Minister Ritchie commented that: “Environmental improvement schemes regularly form part of our Neighbourhood Renewal, Local Community Fund and Areas at Risk programmes. They are recognised as an excellent medium for building capacity in disadvantaged communities.

“Those within our churches and faith bodies have a very positive role to play in helping to build social cohesion. This visit by religious representatives form New York is a great opportunity to share our experiences and learnings.

“I have been very impressed by the range of the work they have been engaged in within some of the most disadvantaged communities in New York.”

The New York religious delegation discussed their experiences in developing coalitions to impact climate change and how their US organisations can serve as a model for groups in Norther Ireland.

Notes to Editors:

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