Derry hosting Northwest People’s Forum

Derry is to host the Northwest People’s Forum for a citizen-led review of Good Friday Agreement rights.

The civic initiative is actioning an 18-month citizen-led review of key socio-economic rights and commitments under the Good Friday Agreement including: housing, healthcare, education, political institutions, human rights, poverty, rural access, and culture across the North and border counties, with a view to finding pathways forward.

Following Forums in Armagh and Newry, the Initiative is holding a cross-border People’s Forum is Derry on Saturday, December 9, at 9.30am, in Foyle Valley Railway Museum and North West Learning Disability Centre, 1 Foyle Road, Derry, BT48 6SQ.

Les Allamby, the former Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, and the Independent Chair of the Civic Initiative said: “The Civic Initiative is an ambitious project that brings together a wide-range of civic society organisations to create a much-needed space for deliberative dialogue on key issues.

"This is an expansive and inclusive space for people across Northern Ireland and border areas to have voice on issues impacting their lives, and importantly, to look for practical solutions that recognise the circumstances facing communities.”

Emma DeSouza, Founder and Co-Facilitator of the Civic Initiative said: “The Civic Initiative is a new civic movement that aims to empower people in their communities, and ultimately deliver recommendations from wider society to political decision-makers on key areas including healthcare, education, culture, and political institutions.

"The project is taking a region-by-region approach with a focus on grassroots community-based participation. It is an opportunity for people to have their say on the issues that matter to them, to share their experiences, and to work together to find solutions.”

The project has four key stages;

Regionals forums and workshops in the Northwest, Fermanagh/Cavan area, Mid Ulster, Northern, Greater Belfast, and Armagh/Monaghan areas.

A submissions portal for expert evidence and civic viewpoints on key issues

A People’s Forum of 100 randomly selected Northern Ireland citizens

A report with citizen-led recommendations to advance and support peace, reconciliation, and wellbeing to be delivered to the Irish and British government, as well as Stormont. 

Registration is available here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/civic-initiative-north-west-peoples-forum-tickets733326067007.

This forum is in partnership with Community Dialogue, and Co-operation Ireland.