Sustainability and Community Development

The first Seminar on 2nd February 2006 was on the topic of 'Sustainability and Community Development', and was chaired by Baroness May Blood. Keynote speakers at the event were Dave Wall, Director of the Voluntary and Community Unit, Department for Social Development; Dr Ken Sterrett, Senior Lecturer in the School of Planning at Queen's University; Sammy Douglas, Chairperson of Belfast Area Partnerships; and Ann Pendleton, Lecturer in Community Development with Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education.

The speakers explored the challenges and opportunities of long-term sustainability within the community sector.

Dave Wall outlined current Government policies relating to the sector, emphasising that some groups may wish to consider the delivery of public services as part of their sustainability strategy. He referred to the 'Positive Steps' document that has outlined Government's policy relating to the community sector in Northern Ireland. Dave emphasised that the sector needs to modernise and that Government has a number of support programmes in place to assist groups through a phase of transition.

Dr Ken Sterrett in his presentation outlined the role of community planning as a mechanism towards practical community regeneration and development. He outlined a number of examples of such initiatives in Belfast.

Sammy Douglas in his presentation reviewed the role of the Social Economy as an option of future sustainability for the community sector. He provided examples of three social economy enterprises established by East Belfast Partnership. Sammy also alluded to the role of the community sector in helping to tackle the growing problem of anti-social behaviour in many urban communities.

In the final presentation Ann Pendleton highlighted the importance in investing in the training and development of community development workers. She outlined the need for a comprehensive learning and development strategy for the sector and the need to 'sustain the sustainers'.

Jim Deery of the Ashton Community Trust, who attended the seminar, emphasised the importance of local involvement and the need for an open and professional approach to sustaining the community sector. He stated:

"The Government need to move away from grant aid and look at investment. Investment means you take a professional approach, that you make it outcome based. I think the time has come for real investment to be given to local groups because they handle it very well. The public need to know that."

A Follow-Up Workshop was held on 10th February 2006 at the Millennium Community Outreach Centre. Sammy Douglas of Sammy D Associates facilitated the workshop. To view the workshop report click here.

If you wish to make any comments on the workshop report, or on sustainability and community development, please click here.