Are you happy with New TSN proposals? Many NICVA members aren't...

Are you happy with the New TSN proposals? Many NICVA members aren’t.

To do something about it, read on.

Over the last number of weeks NICVA has been consulting with members on the proposals contained in 'New TSN - the way forward '. NICVA issuggestingthat the voluntary and community sector should come together and present a strong and united front inopposition to the document.

While recognising that there are some welcome developments, NICVAbelieves that present proposals merely tinker at the edges of the failed TSN policy. They do not offer a strategy that will have any impact on poverty and social exclusion.

It is hard to believe that after 13 years of commenting on TSN and then New TSN, as well as a two year review process that started out so promisingly, we have been presented with a document thatsays so little and failsto tackle the root causes of poverty.

If the voluntary and community sectoraccepts theoffer of 'New TSN - the way forward', we will be in exactly the same position inanother five years time – commenting on bits and pieces of a strategy while the gap between the rich and the poor widens and people still live in poverty. It’s clear we need a new approach.

NICVA is suggesting that the sector should voice its strong opposition to the basic premise and proposals contained in 'New TSN – the way forward' and has an alternative framework to offer, on which a new robust anti-poverty strategy should be based.

NICVA needs to hear from as many voluntary and community organisations as possible. We are asking organisations who agree with our position to sign the NICVA proposal document below and return it to usby post or fax by Monday 13 September 2004 using the contact details at the bottom of this page.

We hope the following documents will help inform your thinking.

'NEW TSN – THE WAY FORWARD'. NICVA BRIEFING PAPER

This outlines the proposals contained in the OFMDFM document:

NICVA Briefing Paper (143Kb)


TSN; 13 YEARS OF FAILURE.BACKGROUNDTONICVA PROPOSAL

This paper explains the thinking behind the alternative framework that is contained in the NICVA lobbying position paper:

TSN; 13 years of failure (56Kb)


NICVA PROPOSAL

This is the lobbying position paper which voluntary and community organisations are being asked to endorse. Sign it and return it to NICVA by post or fax before Monday 13 September 2004:

61 Duncairn Gardens
Belfast BT15 2GB
028 9087 7799

Sign thisLobbying Paper (84Kb) Sign thisLobbying Paper (33Kb)


For more information please contact:

Lisa McElherron,NICVA Public Affairs Manager
Lisa McElherron

Frances McCandless, NICVA Director of Policy
Frances McCandless

Paul McGill, NICVA CommunicationsOfficer
Paul McGill