Minister praises Community Relations Council

NIO Minister Jeff Rooker has praised the work of the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council (CRC) and emphasised the importance of promoting sharing over separation.

During a visit to the Council's Headquarters in Belfast, the Minister also said that their long-term contribution to promoting community relations in Northern Ireland had been "invaluable". As Government takes forward its Shared Future policy, the Community Relations Council will play a key role in its implementation.

Mr Rooker said: "The Community Relations Council has worked tirelessly in the difficult area of community relations and has made a significant contribution to improving relationships for many people throughout Northern Ireland.

"Today's meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the challenges that we all face in building relationships within and between communities here and to take on board their views on the implementation of 'A Shared Future' and how we can start to incentivise sharing."

'A Shared Future' outlines the fundamental principles and aims which underpin how all of us, government, local authorities, civic society, can work together to bring about the best shared future between and within communities. The document is available on the department's website www.asharedfutureni.gov.uk

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