2 February 2006
UK CAN LEARN FROM BELFAST BUZZ - DAVID MILIBAND MP
Other parts of the United Kingdom can learn from Northern Ireland's experience of regenerating town centres and developing communities.
This was the message from Cabinet Minister David Miliband MP from the Office of Deputy Prime Minister on his arrival here on a two-day visit.This is his first Ministerial visit to Northern Ireland.
Mr Miliband, who is responsible for communities and local government in England, is here to share experiences in tackling issues of regeneration and community development, with a particular emphasis on building strong, cohesive communities. He was welcomed to the province by Social Development Minister David Hanson MP.
During his two days here, Mr Miliband will be meeting community leaders and visiting a number of regeneration schemes in Belfast and Co Antrim. He is also speaking at a meeting of the Northern Ireland Government Affairs Group at Queens University Belfast.
Speaking on his arrival, Mr Miliband said:
"This is my third visit to Northern Ireland, and my first in my current position as Minister of Communities and Local Government. My aim is simple - to learn from what you are doing, to share lessons, to understand our common challenges.
"Regeneration, in essence, is about helping places recover, rebuild, renew their power, wealth and opportunity.
"Here, you will have your own distinct regeneration lessons, problems and opportunities.
"What we have in common though is a unique prize. Creating a society where nobody is disadvantaged by where they live. A society where power is in the hands of the many not the few. This, I believe, is the regeneration goal of the next decade."
Welcoming Mr Miliband to Northern Ireland, David Hanson said: "Successful regeneration requires a comprehensive and integrated approach by government, the private and community sectors working together in partnership. Already, real progress has been made in many areas and we are beginning to see results in communities in all parts of the province.
"Over the last few months, I have visited many areas with challenges to discuss their needs with community leaders. Action to address many of these difficulties are being developed and I hope to be able to announce these in the near future.
"DSD and other agencies have invested heavily in regeneration and community development programmes and we are beginning to see results which I have no doubt can be of interest to other parts of the UK. I welcome the interest shown by David Miliband and I hope that the exchange of information will inform regeneration both here in Northern Ireland and in other parts of the UK."
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