The
development of the Confederation of European Councillors
and in particular the Northern Ireland Councillor
Cooperation Project is an example of how the leadership
of local politicians can play a major role in enhancing
relations on a North-South and East-West basis. The
progression of our project has added greatly to an
understanding between councillors in Northern Ireland
and the Republic and we certainly hope that this can be
expanded on in the months and years to come.
As
LAMA has emerged from its first twenty five years it can
be proud of the role that it played in developing links
with councillor bodies in other parts of these islands.
This has manifested itself in an organisation of real
potential that I believe can provide an example to
regional and national politicians. Some of the people
who have driven the Confederation from its origins have
stepped aside during this past year, and we should pay
tribute to people like Senator Jim Walsh, Senator James
Bannon, Michael Lawlor and Bertie Montgomery et al for
the role they played.
The
members and investors in our North-South project
recognise that while there has been a substantial growth
in the numbers of bodies or movements that operate fully
or in part on a cross-border basis, local
representatives are one of the most relevant
constituencies, as they are and should be viewed as the
leaders in local communities. As we move forward on
these islands, the part we play in developing relations
and issues and areas of mutual interest cannot be
underestimated. The funding from PEACE II through the
Special European Union Programmes Body indicated
recognition of how councillor relations could enhance
cooperation within the public sector in a unique way.
Politicians of all persuasions have taken part in our
events and our board is an example of how
representatives of the various parties can discuss and
advance areas of mutual interest.
Our
project came into 2005 off the back of a successful
programme and in particular our seminar on North-South
Political Relations in the 21st Century. The
ten papers delivered by local politicians at this event
in Enniskillen can be viewed on our website. Our summer
seminar focussed on ‘the Potential for Sport in Modern
Ireland’ with a variety of high profile speakers
addressing the key areas of reconciliation, health and
education and the role of sporting organisations in
North-South cooperation.
We
continue to circulate our newsletters to all councillors
and councils throughout Ireland, while maintaining our
popular and well-managed website. We continue to
promote the Councillor Exchange Programme which we view
as an important aspect of our work in enhancing
relations between our members and councils in both
jurisdictions. The immediate future for the
organisation will involve us expanding this exchange
programme so as to engage as many councils as possible,
while we can also cultivate relations with other
North-South and cross-border bodies, particularly those
who are also funded from Europe.
Our
work is not possible without a vibrant board of
directors who meet on a regular basis and are an
important source of support to our office in Newtownards.
We have gained a few new faces this year, though I know
that this project involves work of real interest to
councillors across Ireland. The advancement of our body
and our work is not possible without the driving force
of our manager John Devaney and Cheryl Robinson-McAleenan
and we are indebted to them for the manner in which they
have progressed the project over the past two years.
Of
course, the origins of the Confederation lay in an
ambition to widen our focus to eventually include the
local councillors and councils groups within England,
Scotland, Wales and beyond, and this has been advanced
during the past twelve months. A working group was
established and following an Annual General Meeting, we
now have two operational bodies under the umbrella of
the CEC. The Overseas Conference in Berlin was an
outstanding example of how the Confederation could
potentially be a leading light in developing councillor
relations through the EU and the continent. That
conference allowed us to engage on issues that are as
relevant to local representatives in Germany as they are
to us in Ireland or the UK.
Finally, I know that this website continues to be a
unique source of information for our members.
Cllr John Connor
Chairman
