Speaker Launches Assembly Community Connect

The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, William Hay MLA, this evening launched an important new initiative aimed at encouraging the local community and voluntary sector to become more involved with the work of the Assembly and its MLAs.

The night’s colourful and interactive event consisted of a series of mini talks from MLAs and local community representatives. These were designed to stimulate new ideas and dialogue on how the Assembly and local groups can forge new and effective working links.

Following the launch, the Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly said: “I have always been mindful of the vital role played by the community and voluntary sector in advocating for and supporting local people. The Assembly too has worked hard in recent years to open Parliament Buildings to local people and to encourage and foster a greater understanding of, and participation in, the local democratic process.

“Assembly Community Connect is a wonderful opportunity to bring MLAs and community representatives together to share ideas, knowledge and experience. I firmly believe that by working together, we can do much to strengthen and invigorate our local communities and to enhance opportunities for all who live in them”

Assembly Community Connect will provide a range of introductory and advanced training and educational programmes and is open to organisations across the local voluntary and community sector. Further information can be found on the Northern Ireland Assembly website.

Sammy Douglas MLA Chair of Assembly Community Connect (ACC) and Sandra Overend MLA and ACC Board Member are joined by Michael Monaghan Chair of the NI Pensioners Parliament and Nisha Tandon from ArtsEkta at the launch of Assembly Community Connect. This new Assembly initiative will provide training and support to the local voluntary and Community sector.

ENDS