Richie Welcomes U.S. Religious Delegation To The North

Northern Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA, last week welcomed a delegation of religious representatives from New York to the North.

The visit, hosted locally by the Churches Community Work Alliance, is to examine how inter-religious groups in the US and the North can impact and influence policy development in relation to community development work and environmental projects.

Minister Ritchie commented that: "Environmental improvement schemes regularly form part of our Neighborhood Renewal, Local Community Fund and Areas at Risk programs.

They are recognized as an excellent medium for building capacity in disadvantaged communities.

"Those within our churches and faith bodies have a very positive role to play in helping to build social cohesion. This visit by religious representatives form New York is a great opportunity to share our experiences and learnings.

"I have been very impressed by the range of the work they have been engaged in within some of the most disadvantaged communities in New York."

The New York religious delegation discussed their experiences in developing coalitions to impact climate change and how their US organizations can serve as a model for groups in the North.