Concordia, the social partner group for Northern Ireland are set to urge government to provide more direction and assistance to develop Northern Ireland partnerships after a major conference in the Ramada Hotel, Belfast earlier this week. 

‘The Value of Partnerships’ conference looked at partnership development within Northern Ireland and the direction that it might take in the future.  The event was well attended with representatives from various Local Strategy, Community Safety and District Policing Partnerships coming together with senior government officials to discuss the possible way forward.

The key note speakers included Mr. Edgar Jardine, Director of Economic Policy Unit within The Office of the First and Deputy First Minister as well as Mr. Bill Pauley, Head of European Branch in the Department of Finance and Personnel.  

Both speakers reflected on the proliferation of partnerships particularly since the onset of the Peace programme and on the successes of many in delivering very worthwhile results within local communities.   In addition, the proposals for an extension to the current Peace II programme were outlined at the event.

Mr. Dermot McCarthy of the Department of the Taoiseach gave an insight into the southern experience of social partnership working and the structures which are in place to ensure inclusion of the social partners within key government decision making.

The outcome of the conference will be used to inform Concordia’s strategy on the way forward for partnership development.