SCOPE June 2007

NICVA

£2.20

Cover Story

Charity brings child poverty research to top decision-makers

Save the Children was quick off the mark to publish A 2020 Vision, its report on child poverty, and brief MLAs at Stormont about its contents. Barnardo's produced It doesn't happen here, setting out some of the policies needed to meet the targets for eliminating child poverty. Paul McGill read both reports and reports back for SCOPE.

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Editorial

Good buzz at Stormont

There is still a great air of optimism up at the hill as the new Ministers come to grips with their portfolios and seize the benefit of paid civil servants standing ready to write their reports and issue their press releases.

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Features

Bain of our lives

Proposals that put the interests of the child first and promote A Shared Future are welcome but more rigour is needed. Separately Gareth Harper puts the case for rural children and the wider community role of the school.

Social work must tackle social injustice and inequality

Thatcherism and managerialism nearly killed off community development in social work but Martin O'Neill says it is now being rediscovered.

European Union - one foot in the grave or in its prime?

Love it, loathe it or leave it, a seminar for the 50th anniversary of the EU heard a broad spectrum of speakers. Paul McGill listened to them.

Optimism in Israel and Palestine?

John Sharp believes there is a glimmer of optimism
that the plight of the Palestinians may be solved just as quickly as apartheid ended in South Africa.

Step towards a women's college.

Consultants have been appointed to investigate the idea of a women's college in Northern Ireland. Michael Potter gives the background.

News

Help the Aged gets key of the door

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall attended a special event at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum to mark Help the Aged's 21st birthday year in Northern Ireland. The prince is patron of the charity.

Right to campaign must be extended

Charities should be able to engage in political campaigns 'without limit' provided it is not party political activity, says a report published by 25 voluntary organisations including Greenpeace, Oxfam, the RSPCA and NCVO.

Still waiting ...

Despite over 30 years of anti-discrimination legislation, women in Northern Ireland are still waiting for equality. This was the headline finding from a research study carried out by YouthAction Northern Ireland and the University of Ulster.

Novel pen boost for Africa

Despite over 30 years of anti-discrimination legislation, women in Northern Ireland are still waiting for equality. This was the headline finding from a research study carried out by YouthAction Northern Ireland and the University of Ulster.

Miracle machine can help two billion

It's a cooker, a fridge and a generator in one, it is powered by sound -- and it could have a huge impact on the lives of people in the world's poorest communities.

Emotional health in your workplace

Samaritans has launched its first training directory to provide organisations with an overview of its workplace training courses.

Threat to press freedom

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and National Union of Journalists used World Press Freedom Day last month to condemn new powers in Northern Ireland which threaten press freedom and the confidentiality of journalists' sources.

Day of Reflection

People in Northern Ireland, Britain, Ireland and further afield are invited to mark Thursday 21 June 2007 as a Day of Private Reflection. It will be an opportunity to contemplate the Northern Ireland conflict and our future.

Urban II builds better communities

Over £1.1 million has been awarded to three community initiatives to improve community transport, ICT literacy and youth services in inner city North Belfast.

Also

Training calendar; New Minister launches CO3; Learner of the Year; Get your finance qualification here; Bill of Rights information pack; Have pass, will travel; Discuss our future.