Press release
Minister Donohoe and Minister of State Joe O’Brien open the Second Annual Community and Voluntary Civic Forum
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Rural and Community Development
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, and Minister of State for Community Development, Charities and Integration, Joe O’Brien, have today (Wednesday 15 November), officially opened the second National Civic Forum for dialogue between the state and the community and voluntary sector.
This, the second National Civic Forum, will look at how the state and the community and voluntary sector can develop and strengthen deliberative and participative approaches to public-policy making, at national and local level.
It will showcase examples of how the state and the sector work together in policy design and collaboration. The day will also provide opportunities for attendees to discuss the challenges of such collaboration and how we can work better together. The focus of the day will be on the ‘Values and Principles for Collaboration and Partnership Working with the Community and Voluntary Sector’ which were co-written with the sector and adopted by Government last year.
The Values and Principles provide the framework for a new model of engagement with the community and voluntary sector, led by the Department of Rural and Community Development, which focuses on open dialogue and increased collaboration with the sector in order to strengthen participatory and deliberative approaches to policy making and programming, in pursuit of the best outcomes for all of our communities.
Addressing delegates this morning Minister Donohoe highlighted the importance of the Forum, saying:
“The importance of events like this, bring together the state and the community and voluntary sector to discuss openly and frankly how we can better work together to deliver the best outcomes for all.”
Minister O’Brien said:
“I am delighted to see such a mix here today from both the sector and from across Government. I consistently reiterate that the best decisions are the ones we make together. Key to not just this Forum but much of the work underway in my department to support communities and the community and voluntary sector, is the flexibility and dynamism of the processes themselves. We all have much to learn from each other and we must all be open to adapt as we see what works best to ensure the best results for all within our society."
Minister O’Brien went on to say:
”I hope what we hear today will give us all ideas on how we can further embed the Values and Principles into everything we do. The aim of the Civic Forum is to encourage conversation and collaboration between Government, local and national, and the community and voluntary sector and the communities they represent. Using the Values and Principles, together with the tools that have been co-created with the sector, will support more meaningful consultation, inclusion and participation of communities, particularly disadvantaged communities.
"This initiative forms part of a range of measures being undertaken by the department to support the community and voluntary sector, and to empower thriving, sustainable communities across Ireland."
This event, hosted by the Department of Rural and Community Development, fulfills objectives under Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: the five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland.
The department has engaged with representatives of the the community and voluntary sector in the design of this event.
The event agenda includes contributions from government departments, non-governmental organisations and local authorities showcasing examples of putting the values and principles for collaboration and partnership working into practice. There are also round-table sessions which will give an opportunity for all voices to be heard.
This event is part of a wider process to support deliberative and participative approaches to policy-making and programming. It is not intended to replace any existing fora or dialogue, but rather to add value and depth to existing dialogue.
The five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland sets out a long-term vision for our communities in Ireland. It sets a general direction of travel for government policy in relation to the community development, local development and the community and voluntary sectors for the coming decade. The Strategy was co-produced by the Department of Rural and Community Development, Central and Local Government colleagues, and the community and voluntary sectors. Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities are available here: Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities.
The Values and Principles will be used by central and local government, as well as state bodies, as a basis for their interactions with the community and voluntary sector in pursuit of the best outcomes for all communities.