Interview with the Speaker

Public Achievement Director Paul Smyth, and Research Associate Liz Nelson were recently invited to meet the Justice Minister David Ford MLA to discuss the report and film "Beyond the Margins - Building Trust in Policing With Young People".  The report and film were created by Achieve Enterprises in association with the Institute for Conflict Research.  The meeting was also attended by staff from the Northern Ireland Policing Board and by Policing Board members, Basil McCrea MLA and Mary McKee.

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs have just awarded funding to Achieve Enterprises - the trading arm of Public Achievement - for a project on the use of 'Stop and Search' powers by the police and their impact on young people.  The award follows our highly successful 'Beyond the Margins' project on young people, policing and human rights.

On 29 June, around 200 young people, youth workers and community activists walked up the drive of Stormont to highlight the importance of community relations projects with young people.  Organised by a collection of organisations that have seen their budgets slashed or removed entirely by the Education Minister, Catriona Ruane, the demonstration met a large group of Assembly Members on the steps of Parliament Buildings.

Public Achievement participated fully in the event, and our WIMPS team were there to cover the exciting events.