WORKING TOWARDS A WAY FORWARD

CFNI’s conference titled ‘Working Towards A Way Forward’ on Thursday the 25th March at the Europa Hotel Belfast will explore issues relating to change and transformation within the community and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland.

The community summit is targeted at the community and voluntary sector and for those working within government who have responsibility for the support of community development and the delivery of social & community services. Keynote presenters are drawn from central and local government in NI, The Big Lottery Fund and Building Change Trust and from community & voluntary development practitioners.

‘Working Towards A Way Forward’ is a platform for discussion on some of the sustainable development challenges confronting community and voluntary development practitioners in a time of significant change in Northern Ireland. Change is taking place across the public sector with new models for community planning and engagement being introduced; there is a reduction in funding available to support the work of the 3rd sector and new changes in legislation governing the work of charities are being introduced.

The Community Summit will explore how we might arrive at a ‘Way Forward’ by looking at the work underway and consideration of new approaches focusing on Change & Transformation, Participation & Planning and Collaboration, Partnership & Merger. The conference will revisit the values of community action and community development, and explore strategies and approaches that can sustain and support its development.

The community summit is a space for creative discussion and meaningful engagement between the public sector, funding support organisations and the community & voluntary sector. It will present delegates with the opportunity to define problems and propose innovative solutions through participatory think tank discussion sessions.

To book a place at Working Towards a Way forward contact Elaine Canavan at the Community Foundation on

ecanavan@communityfoundationni.org or call

028 71 371 547.

Further information can be obtained on the CFNI website.

http://www.communityfoundationni.org/opencontent/