By Miriam Bell from CommunityNI.org
Published on 27 Jan 2005
Extension period given for submitting responses to this important consultation on community relations in Northern Ireland.
Des Browne MP, Minister with responsibility for community relations issues, today (2 June 2003) announced the extension of the consultation period on A Shared Future – one of the most fundamentally important consultations to be debated in Northern Ireland.
The new closing date for submissions is 30 September 2003.
The government cited extensive interest in the document as the reason for the extension, as well as the importance of providing optimum opportunity for an inclusive consultation process.
Mr Browne said that good community relations is not an option for everyone in society: “Community Relations is an imperative. We must all work together to create and to cement peace and reconciliation. A shared society cannot be imposed on people, it must be built on consensus" .
“In order to achieve this we need wide ranging, in-depth debate, in which ordinary people can make their views known about the type of Northern Ireland they wish to live in, and the steps that eed to be taken to bring this about. I welcome this opportunity to extend the consultation period until 30 September 2003 and will be giving all views very careful consideration .”
NICVA has prepared a briefing paper to assist voluntary and community groups who are preparing a response to the document.
Copies of the consultation document A Shared Future can be obtained at:
www.asharedfutureni.gov.uk 
0800 7837210 (freephone)
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