Email Briefing 27 September 2004

• And the winner is...
• Last call on New TSN
• Release of NICVA Briefing Paper on Noble Review
• Revised schedule for Single Equality Bill events Human Rights Media Adviser sought
• Re-Use Of Electrical Equipment inNorthern Ireland
• Urban and Rural Housing Communities Grants Programme
• Protecting Vulnerable Groups: How Can A Bill Of Rights Work In Practice?
• Campaign Calls for Public Appointees
• Righting the Wrongs: Northern Ireland and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
• AGE launches web debate about age discrimination
• New Board Members for Labour Relations Agency
• Management Training from Zest
• Highlights from NICVA’s website
• Membership
• Subscribe to the email briefing
• Feedback

1. And the winner is…

The wait is finally over. At a gala evening in the Ramada Hotel, Belfast, the prestigious Link Award was presented to First Trust Bank for its generous and productive relationship with ChildLine Northern Ireland. Now in their 18th year, the Link Awards are designed to recognise, celebrate and cement partnerships between businesses and voluntary and community organisations.

Congratulations to the winners and all those who received a nomination.

2. Last call on New TSN

Join the hundreds of voluntary and community organisations who have already backed NICVA’s call for an effective anti-poverty strategy.

All lobby papers must be returned to NICVA by 1 October 2004, so download and sign one today to lend your support.

3. Release of NICVA Briefing Paper on Noble Review

NICVA has produceda briefing paper on thereview of the Multiple Deprivation Measures, alsoknown as the Noble Indicators. Thepaperhighlights some of the key issues that were raised by participants ataseries of consultation eventsfacilitated by NICVA in conjunction with NISRA (the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency) earlier in September. Theevents took placeinNewry, Coleraine, Enniskillen and Belfast.

The paperrecommends seven domains, or types of information, that will be combined to produce a picture of multiple deprivation in Northern Ireland.

The consultation document can be downloaded from www.nisra.gov.uk/statistics/consultations.htm, or ordered by telephoning 028 9034 8144, and runs until 29 October 2004.

For further information and to read the briefing paper in full, contact Frances McCandless or Zoë Anderson on 028 9087 7777, frances.mccandless@nicva.org or zoe.anderson@nicva.org .

4. Revised schedule for Single Equality Bill

NICVA, in conjunction with local community networks, is holding events in October to allow voluntary and community organisations to contribute to the consultation on the Single Equality Bill published by OFMDFM (for information visit www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/equality/seb/index.htm).

The Bill will have an impact on everyone and NICVA would encourage groups to submit a response before the consultation deadline on 12 November 2004. OFMDFM will be available to give a short presentation and answer questions at the following events:

19 October 2004 at 10.00am in Ballybot House, Newry, in conjunction with Newry Confederation of Community Groups.

25 October 2004 at 2.00pm in Adair Arms Hotel, Ballymena, in conjunction with Ballymena Community Forum (refreshments available at 1.30pm).

27 October 2004 at 2.00pm in Rural Community Network, Cookstown (refreshments available at 1.30pm).

28 October 2004 at 7.30pm in Clinton Centre, Enniskillen, in conjunction with Fermanagh Trust.

To reserve a place, contact Margaret Thompson on 028 9087 7777 or margaret.thompson@nicva.org.

5. Human Rights Media Adviser sought

The Human Rights Consortium, made up of more than 100 organisations, believes a strong and inclusive Bill of Rights can play a fundamental role in the creation of a better, more just, inclusive and shared Northern Ireland. It now plans to mobilise widespread popular and political support for the Bill.

For this reason it is seeking an adviser with significant media experience and understanding of human rights issues to generate positive media coverage of the merits of a strong and inclusive Bill of Rights. The media work will take place between November 2004 and April 2005 and a budget of £8,000 (inclusive of expenses) is available.

Tenders should be submitted in writing by 5.00pm on 15 October 2004 to Human Rights Consortium, 45-47 Donegall Street, Belfast BT1 2BR 028 9096 1128; 028 9024 6706; info@billofrightsni.org .

6. Re-Use Of Electrical Equipment inNorthern Ireland

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive will be implemented in Northern Ireland in 2005. Re-use of electrical items is a vital part of this directive and not-for-profitorganisations in Northern Ireland have an important potential role to play in this area. Furniture Re-use Network (FRN)willgive a presentation onusing acollective approachand the progress they have made so far on 30 September 2004 in the Armagh City Hotel. This seminarwill be followed bya workshoponcurrent and future re-use in Northern Ireland.

To register please contact Gwyneth Evans on 028 9054 6691 or weee@doeni.gov.uk .

7. Urban and Rural Housing Communities Grants Programme

Under the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (Peace II) South Tyrone Area Partnership Local Strategy Partnership invites applications from groups in urban and rural housing communities within the Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council area.

There are two parts to the scheme and groups can apply to either. Part one is for small grants up to a maximum of £20,000 to develop social economy projects, while part two is for funding over £20,000 for a sustainable income generating project that will improve the quality of life for urban or rural housing communities.

Application forms and further information are available from: South Tyrone Area Partnership LSP, Bank Buildings, 26 Market Square, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, BT70 1AB, 028 8772 8620 stap.info@dungannon.gov.uk.

BMG Associates has been appointed to help plan and develop projects and assist in completing the application form.

Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 12 November 2004 at 12 noon.

8. Protecting Vulnerable Groups: How Can A Bill Of Rights Work In Practice?

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission extends an invitation to this free workshop event which includes a light lunch on 14 October 2004, in the City Hotel, Queen’s Quay, Derry from 10.00am to 2.30pm.

The workshop provides an opportunity for those working with or representing the rights of disadvantaged, marginalised and vulnerable people and groups to discuss how to ensure a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland can work to protect the human rights of all. The term ‘vulnerable’ refers to groups and individuals at risk of suffering poverty, unemployment and social exclusion, as well as to groups such as women, children, ethnic minority groups and disabled people. It can also refer to individuals who for various reasons may at some time in their lives be at risk of having their rights abused, denied or neglected.

NIHRC has consulted on and drafted proposals for creating a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. This participative workshop will explore the implications of the current draft for the most vulnerable people, and look at what remains to be done both by the Commission and by others so that the Bill of Rights works for everybody.

For further information contact Miriam Titterton on 028 9024 3987, Miriam.Titterton@nihrc.org.

9. Campaign Calls for Public Appointees

An advertising campaign has been launched by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), calling on people to play their part in shaping health and social care services by becoming a public appointee.

The Minister with responsibility for the DHSSPS, Angela Smith, said, “The department wants to hear from people with experience and knowledge that can help us shape the future of health and social care. Many appointments are open to people who do voluntary or community work, and it is not essential to have experience of health and personal social services.”

For further information on public appointments with DHSSPS 028 9052 3250 or visit www.dhsspsni.gov.uk .

10. Righting the Wrongs: Northern Ireland and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

A seminar series co-hosted by Save the Children and the Institute for Irish Studies at Queen's University Belfast will take place in the Institute of Irish Studies, Seminar Room 1, First Floor, 53-67 University Road at 4.00pm each Monday from 4 October to 22 November 2004.

The series is aimed to stimulate debate and collectively consider the current state of children’s rights in Northern Ireland by providing a snapshot of policy and practice initiatives in Northern Ireland. Each contributor has framed their paper by drawing on one or more articles from within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and will look at either potential violations of children’s rights or good practice within a variety of settings.

Righting the Wrongs is aimed at all those concerned with the future of children and young people in Northern Ireland and will be of interest to anyone concerned with children’s rights and social inclusion.

Contact Catherine Moore at Save the Children on 028 9043 1123, c.moore@savethechildren.org.ukfor more information.

11. AGE launches web debate about age discrimination

AGE, the European Older People’s Platform, will host a web debate about age discrimination on the AGE website at www.age-platform.org/forum between 30 September and 15 October 2004. AGE seeks to stimulate the debate about age discrimination among its members, policy makers, older people themselves, the media and all other stakeholders and to encourage them to express their views on this topic.

The first week’s debate will focus on access to employmentfor older people. Are older people less productive than people from other age groups? Are mandatory retirement ages for pilots, firemen and other professions really necessary? Is it reasonable and effective to lower the employment protection for older employees in order to convince employers to hire more older people?

Week two will focus on access to goods and services: Why should an older person in perfectly good health and aged 76 be denied access to travel insurance? Is it justified to refuse a mortgage to somebody aged 65? Should a health insurance provider be able to require older people to pay more for their premium?

For more information, contact Geert Decock, geert.decock@age-platform.org.

12. New Board Members for Labour Relations Agency

The Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) wishes to fill two vacancies on the Board of the LRA and wants to give people with a background in employment relations an opportunity to serve with this body. One appointee will come from an employee background and one will come from an independent background.

If you are interested in applying, please request a nomination form and information pack by telephoning the voicemail system on 028 9025 7821. Leave details of which post you are interested in.

Completed application forms should be returned by 5.00pm on 8 October 2004. Information about DEL and the Labour Relations Agency can be found on their websites www.lra.org.uk and www.delni.gov.uk .

13. Management Training from Zest

On 7 and 8 October 2004, Zest Training will be delivering two management training courses on performance appraisal and disciplinary skills at Mallusk Enterprise Park, Newtownabbey. These courses are intensive one-day workshops with a high degree of delegate participation, therefore places are limited to ten per course.

Contact Zest for more information on 028 9034 2319 or training@zest-marketing.co.uk.

14. Highlights from NICVA’s website

A new page to bookmark on the site is 'Starter for Five' which summarises five important weekly policy and research activities at NICVA

Membership

Is your organisation a member of NICVA or do you know of another organisation that would benefit from NICVA membership? Membership is open to all voluntary and community organisations in Northern Ireland.

To find out more about the benefits of NICVA membership, or to obtain a membership pack, please contact Frances McAtamney on tel: 028 9087 7777, email: frances.mcatamney@nicva.org or visit the website www.nicva.org.

Subscribe to the email briefing

Subscribe by sending a message to nicvalist@nicva.orgwith sbscribe in the subject field.

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Feedback

This briefing is sent by email to all our members on a weekly basis. We hope this helps you circulate the information within your organisation where appropriate. Your feedback about this service is very welcome.

Please let us know if you change your email address. We do not pass email addresses to anyone else.

The information contained in this digest has been provided and collated from numerous accredited sources. NICVA does not take responsibility for any third party content or any of the opinions expressed.

Compiled by John McCormick, Information Officer

What's happeningwith the Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland? Anne Moore, NICVA's Policy Affairs Officer,provides anupdate to coincide with NICVA'sresponse to the recentconsultation, ‘Progressing a Bill of Rights: An Update’.

...and don’t forget the Community Diary…

Have an event to promote? Enter your upcoming events in NICVA's Online Diary: JClick on ‘submit an event’ and enter the details on a simple form. After moderation your event will appear in the diary.

Membership

Is your organisation a member of NICVA or do you know of another organisation that would benefit from NICVA membership? Membership is open to all voluntary and community organisations in Northern Ireland.

To find out more about the benefits of NICVA membership, or to obtain a membership pack, please contact Frances McAtamney on tel: 028 9087 7777, email: frances.mcatamney@nicva.org or visit the website www.nicva.org .

Subscribe to the email briefing

Subscribe by sending a message to nicvalist@nicva.org with sbscribe in the subject field.

Unsubscribe by sending a message to nicvalist@nicva.org with unsubscribe in the subject field.

Feedback

This briefing is sent by email to all our members on a weekly basis. We hope this helps you circulate the information within your organisation where appropriate. Your feedback about this service is very welcome.

Please let us know if you change your email address . We do not pass email addresses to anyone else.

The information contained in this digest has been provided and collated from numerous accredited sources. NICVA does not take responsibility for any third party content or any of the opinions expressed.

Compiled by John McCormick, Information Officer