Good Relations

Development Group

Denis Nightingale provides the Development Group Members with an insight into the draft Training and Communication Plan for Lisburn Institute of Further and Higher Education

The Development Group which is made up of 24 members internal to the FE Sector, provides the sector with an opportunity to look at innovative approaches to policy development and strategic intervention. It is an output of the AGREE Programme which was established in order to meet the requirements of Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The Development Group is supported by the Working Group which is made up of ANIC and Trademark representatives, with a particular, though not exclusive concentration on issues of sectarianism and racism.

The Development Group provides an informal space for a group of people from different levels in the colleges, different functions, backgrounds and experiences to listen to realities different to their own.

The role of the Development Group is to assist the examination of those elements of the tacit culture that hold back the stated purpose and mission of the organisation. It is also a place to identify how the stated vision and purpose may be at variance with some of the informal rituals and norms of behaviour within the organisation.

At the last meeting of the Development Group members shared examples of their efforts to meet their obligations under Section 75 in terms of training, consultation and the role of the college Equality Working Group.

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