Ritchie praises voluntary and community sector's work

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA today praised the contribution of the Voluntary and Community Sector to making Northern Ireland a better place to live.

Opening the latest meeting of the Joint Government & Voluntary and Community Sector Forum, the Minister applauded another year of partnership. She said: “The Joint Forum provides a valuable role in developing the engagement between Sector and government and I wish to see that engagement working to the greatest effect.”

Outlining her priorities as Minister for Social Development, Minister Ritchie referred to the changes facing the Sector: “We are living in a time of change and reform. Government and public services are being transformed. The private sector also. The Voluntary and Community Sector needs to accept and embrace significant change if its contribution is to be refreshed and sustained.

“Over the coming weeks and months I will work with my officials to establish how this administration will address the issues facing the Sector, and I will wish to discuss this with the Joint Forum in due course."

The Joint Chairs of the Forum are Maurice Leeson of Barnardo’s and Seamus Murray from the Voluntary and Community Unit in the Department for Social Development. The Forum is composed of representatives from a wide range of voluntary and community sector organisations and from all Government departments.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. More information on the Joint Forum, and a copy of its latest annual report, is available online at: http://www.communityni.org/index.cfm/section/article/page/Joint%20Forum

2. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078.