NICVA Manifesto calls for more relevant politics

News release

Friday 14 November 2003

NICVA Manifesto calls for more relevant politics NICVA launched its policy manifesto today calling for a fair and equal society at a question and answer session with a panel of leading politicians, chaired by the broadcaster Paul Clark.

Welcoming the audience drawn from the voluntary and community sector, NICVA CEO Seamus McAleavey said: "Nearly 1000 member organisations worked with us to produce this policy manifesto which reflects the knowledge of those who understand the causes of poverty and exclusion experienced by disadvantaged groups in our society. We chose the format of a Q&A session to push their social, economic and environmental concerns higher up the agenda of the parties at this crunch time for Northern Ireland’s political development" .

"Many commentators are worried that voters will stay away from the polls through despair and disenchantment. We would argue that the political parties can encourage higher turn-out by showing that they care about the real issues affecting people’s day-to-day lives" .

"NICVA’s manifesto represents the community and voluntary sector’s vision for Northern Ireland where everyone is valued as an individual, where people can come together as active citizens to work for the common good and create a fair and prosperous democracy.We are pleased to offer the political parties an opportunity to present their priorities for the election and to answer questions from the audience about the issues that concern them. We hope that this exchange of ideas will inform the important debate about the future direction of this society and influence the party manifestos and the programme for government."

The manifesto includes the following priorities:

An anti-poverty strategy to reduce the growing gap between rich and poor, including an increase in the minimum wage, the maintenance of public services, enhanced preventative health care and improved housing and policies to tackle homelessness;

Political leadership to tackle sectarianism and racism through a good relations strategy and support for integrated education and housing;

The integration of equality into TSN, the Bill of Rights, Race and Sectarian Hate Crime legislation as well as better consultation to ensure equality of opportunity;

A strong and inclusive Bill of Rights to encourage a shared human rights culture; Measures to tackle child poverty at the heart of the children’s strategy and priority for improved educational outcomes;

End of academic selection, more emphasis on pupils as confident learners and active citizens, access to information on sexual and mental health, smaller classes and proper support for students in higher education;

Free personal care, community safety measures for older people and end to age discrimination in education, health, employment and transport;

Improved access for the disabled to transport, employment and services;

A ministerial working group on domestic violence, more Sure Start centres, better child care, improved services for carers and all-women shortlists;

Sustainable development at core of policy-making with emphasis on public transport and healthier alternatives such as cycling and walking;

A White Paper on rural development;

Peace III and informed debate about the Euro.

For further information please contact Anne Moore, Public Affairs 9087 7777.

Note to editors:

The politicians on the panel are as follows:

Billy Hutchinson, PUP; Nelson McCausland, DUP; Prof Monica McWilliams, Women’s Coalition; Alban Maginness, SDLP; Conor Murphy, Sinn Fein; Dermot Nesbitt, UUP; Geraldine Rice, Alliance.