The Civic Forum comprised representatives of ten sectors of civic society, including the business, trade union and voluntary sectors. It was established to act as a consultative mechanism on social, economic and cultural issues but was unable to meet during the suspension of the devolved institutions in 2002. The period of appointment of the original members has now lapsed and the time is ripe for a comprehensive review.
Commenting on the consultation, Dr Paisley said: “As the nature of civic society here has changed since the Forum was first established, we believe there is a need to fundamentally review the structure and role of the Forum to ensure that our mechanisms for engaging with civic society are appropriate.”
Mr Martin McGuinness added: “The review will examine the effectiveness and appropriateness of the current structure, operation, composition and membership of the Civic Forum and draw on experiences elsewhere. The review will seek to canvass as wide a spectrum of opinion as possible. “
The review will seek the views of individuals or organisations with an interest in how the Civic Forum and civic society might contribute to good government in Northern Ireland.
The review will also take account of other models of civic partnership, both here and elsewhere, and will recommend how any future Forum should operate and interface with government.
The public can follow the progress of the review at the Office of the First and Deputy First Ministers website
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Notes to Editors:
1. Section 56 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires the First Minister and deputy First Minister, with the approval of the Assembly, to make arrangements for obtaining the views of the Civic Forum referred to in the Belfast Agreement. Strand One of the agreement provided for the establishment of a Civic Forum, comprising representatives of the business, trade union and voluntary sectors, to act as a consultative mechanism on social, economic and cultural issues.
2. The original Civic Forum (1999 – 2002) had sixty members representing the following sectors: Agriculture and Fisheries, Arts and Sport, Business, Churches, Community Relations, Culture, Education, Trade Unions, Victims, Voluntary & Community. In addition, six members were nominated by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
3. The Terms of Reference of the Review of The Civic Forum are as follows:
- Taking account of the provisions of Paragraph 34 Strand 1 of the Agreement relating to the Civic Forum, the review will:
- Examine the effectiveness and appropriateness of the current structure, operation and membership of the Civic Forum in consultation as necessary with a wide range of interests representative of society as a whole;
- Draw on the experiences elsewhere in determining the most appropriate mechanism for engaging with civic society
- Make recommendations on the most appropriate mechanism and arrangements for engaging with and obtaining the views of civic society on social, economic and cultural matters and in ensuring accountable and inclusive participation by civic society; and
- Make clear recommendations on how this mechanism would operate in practice, including governance, legal and financial matters and secretariat arrangements that would best support such a mechanism.
4. All media enquiries to OFMDFM Press Office on 028 9052 1905. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
