People in Donegal are being asked for their views that will inform both the development and roll out of the Peace III Action Plan within the County. The overall objective of the Peace III Programme is to reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society and promote reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region.
Building on the success of the previous Peace Programmes, Peace III will have a continued and renewed emphasis on reconciliation and will specifically focus on acknowledging and dealing with conflict, building positive relations and contributing towards a shared society.
The Peace III Programme-Priority 1.1 Building Positive Relations at the Local Level will be delivered through a partnership arrangement operating at local level under the auspices of the County Development Board. This priority will focus on reconciliation, cultural diversity and equality. In this regard there is a requirement to prepare a County Action Plan that will address the relevant issues in County Donegal in relation to sectarianism, racism, conflict resolution, mediation and reconciliation. This will provide the basis upon which funding will be secured for actions under priority 1.1 of the Peace III Programme.
Cllr Francis Conaghan, Chair of the CDB Peace III Partnership welcomed the start of the consultation.
“This is an opportunity for everyone to have their say on how the PEACE III plan should be developed, and how the funding should be spent over the next seven years. The two previous EU Peace Programmes assisted projects throughout Donegal and all communities benefited considerably from the funding available. Peace III has the potential to build upon this achievement, particularly if its priorities and actions are fully informed by public consultation. That is why it is vital that everyone with an opinion should participate in the consultation”.
Donegal County Council will carry out the public consultation, on behalf of the Partnership over a 3-week period, ending 20th March. Everyone with an interest in the new programme is being encouraged to participate and make their views known.
Public consultations will take place during March with a consultation period of 3rd March 2008 – 20th March 2008.
Donegal County Council will facilitate two public workshops on:
5th March 2008: Letterkenny Public Services Centre at 2pm
11th March 2008: The Millpark Hotel, Donegal Town at 5pm
Anyone interested in attending these workshops should register with Anne McElchar at 074 91 72261 or peaceiii@donegalcoco.ie
Individual submissions are also invited using the Consultation form available at www.donegalcdb.ie or by contacting Anne McElchar at 074 91 72261
For further information, please contact Breid Neely at 074 91 72573