REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTRE, BELFAST
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTRE, BELFAST FEBRUARY, 2000
May I say what a great pleasure it is to be here with you today and thank Vivienne Anderson and her staff at the Community Development Centre for their kind invitation and for extending such a warm welcome to me.
- We meet in what is, without doubt, a most sensitive time in the peace process. Our politicians are grappling with serious and complex issues and, like people of goodwill throughout the island, my hopes and prayers are with them as they carry out this difficult work. Too much time and energy has been invested by too many people to let such a real opportunity for lasting peace escape.
- I know that those most closely involved in implementing the Belfast Agreement have always been inspired by the personal dedication and commitment shown by the people of Northern Ireland and beyond. Without it, we would never have come so far.
- The Community Development Centre is a prime example of a group of people who have continually given their all for the sake of peace and community relations. I know the Centre celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, so all those involved from its inception have contributed to peace and reconciliation in some of the toughest times in our history.
- And the Centre’s achievements certainly speak for themselves. The number of events and the range of activities and programmes involving so many individuals and groups in different communities is remarkable. It never ceases to amaze me how much can be achieved by voluntary organisations on often shoe-string budgets.
- And it is clear the Centre is going from strength to strength. Its Strategy Statement for 1999-2002 is an imaginative plan to build peace, progress and prosperity. I fully support its commitment to promoting active citizenship, community cohesion and social exclusion. I look forward to seeing the Centre continuing to grow and develop, and continuing to make a real and important contribution to the community
- I wish Vivienne, everybody who works in the Centre and all of the people who use it the best of luck with future plans. I look forward to the next chapter of this impressive success story!