Chris was the Alliance representative at cross party talks to rework the Cohesion, Sharing and Integration strategy before Alliance withdrew from the talks as we believed that the revised document would not set challenging enough targets or goals.
Chris Lyttle MLA said: “The research carried out by the University of Ulster further highlights the immediate need for OFMDFM to bring forward a meaningful shared future strategy.
“There is clearly the public support for them to bring forward such a strategy, but it must actually deliver change to the divisions in our society. It should not just be a document that is published just as a tick box exercise that does not improve community relations.
“We have been hearing words of support for a shared future from unionist leaders in recent months, but when they refuse to censure Nelson McCausland for his failure to criticise what happened outside St Patrick’s Church on Clifton Street in North Belfast, then I do not think anybody can take any overtures to community relations from Peter Robinson or Mike Nesbitt seriously.
“I am however heartened by the fact that 60% of people who took part in the survey said they could envisage a time when peace walls would come down. It is for wishes like this that Alliance will continue to work to deliver a challenging shared future document.”
ENDS