SCOPE March 2006

NICVA

£2.20

Editorial - Respect a two way process

Cover story: Let's move forward to better education for all children. A rearguard action is being mounted against the creation of an education system that will give all children the chance to reach their full potential. Consultation on new legislation to abolish selection at 11 finishes on 7 March. Paul McGill explains why the voluntary and community sector should actively support the changes. PAGES 12-13

FEATURES

> International Women's Day. It's nearly 8 March and SCOPE is marking IWD with two features. Sandra Broghán says we should grasp the opportunity to boost the number of women in construction and land-based industries and Lynn Carvill believes gender inequality is still alive and kicking in Northern Ireland and asks what battles still need to be fought. PAGES 14-15

> Review of Public Administration. The RPA is going to change much about the way Northern Ireland is run but how will it affect the voluntary and community sector? Frances McCandless examines some of the implications. PAGES 16-17

> Steam age ... computer age ... where to next? Nicola Creighton explains that sustainability challenges how we think about money, growth, climate change, energy, food, land use and democratic participation. PAGE 18

> Making social inclusion work. Amid dismay and anger over government delay in producing an anti-poverty strategy, voluntary and community reps on the Joint Forum report on how the promoting social inclusion initiative is working. PAGE 19

> Advice services must meet needs. Government's proposed new strategy could harm advice service users, Especially disadvantaged ones and could be deeply divisive, says Bob Stronge. PAGES 20-21

> State of the Sector. We continue our examinations of sub-sectors by looking at environmental, disability and Women's groups and organisations involved in health and care. PAGES 22-23

NEWS

• The art of integration 5
• Intercultural Week March 2006 7
• Thomas Devlin fund 8
• Disability discrimination 9
• Debt burden hits disadvantaged minority 10
• International Women's Day events 11

ALSO
Kiss goodbye to housing poverty; the social entrepreneurs' ball; Advice in Mind; Sandy Row and Greater Village; MS drugs boost; crystal and energy; community festivals; violence against women; North Belfast counselling.