The Minister was delivering the keynote audience address at an Irish American Partnership event in Boston, to key fundraisers and supporters of education initiatives in Northern Ireland.
The Minister told the audience that his Department was committed to developing further links with the USA. He said: "We have learned much from our counterparts in the US in relation to devising successful public policies in education and workforce development. Several of our best known policy strategies for further education and workforce development have been adapted from American experiences and I am determined to develop these further.”
The Irish American Partnership (IAP) is a US-wide organisation, headquartered in Boston, which raises funds for educational and cross-community projects in Ireland, both North and South. Current IAP programmes in Northern Ireland include school library funds for St. Patrick's Primary School, Londonderry and St. Louise's Comprehensive College, West Belfast as well as support for a Community Network Project in Portadown, the West Belfast Enterprise Group and the Omagh Ulster American Folk Park.
This was the first engagement of the Minister's two day visit to Boston and Washington, when he will undertake a series of engagements designed to strengthen links with our Further and Higher Education institutions. Sir Reg added: “It is crucial that in order for Northern Ireland to continue to compete in a global market, especially in times of such unprecedented economic change, we must learn from examples of best practice from around the world.”
Notes to Editors:
1. The Minister will under take a series of engagements during his two day visit to Boston and Washington (2-3 October). These include:
- Delivering a keynote address at Irish American Partnership breakfast
- Visit to Boston’s City Year Programme· Meeting with Executive Committee from Boston’s Museum of Science
- Visit to National Virginia Community College
- Meeting with the President of the American Council on Education
- Meeting with John DeGioia, President of Georgetown University
2. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872. Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via paper number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
