Invitation to Consultation

FOREWORD BY DR MO MOWLAM MP
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I am delighted to launch the process of preparing a strategy for the development of Northern Ireland over the next 25 years. This is a critically important step in shaping the whole future of the Region and provides everyone who wants to make a positive and constructive contribution with a real opportunity to shape a new vision for Northern Ireland.

The challenges facing Northern Ireland are immense and the competition from other regions in Europe and beyond is intense. However I believe that the Region has enormous strengths and opportunities. Our task is to devise a coherent, integrated and sustainable strategy for the development of the Region well into the next Century; a strategy that effectively addresses the Region's critical economic, social, environmental and community problems. In addition the strategy must open up more possibilities for the Region's citizens, to take advantage of Northern Ireland's numerous opportunities.

I want to ensure that all the people who live in Northern Ireland have an opportunity to participate in this process and to take ownership of the outcome. We are proposing the widest possible consultation process with elected representatives, the business sector, trade unions, the voluntary sector, environmental interests, professional and representative bodies and individual citizens, as well as with relevant authorities in the Republic of Ireland. When completed, the Strategy must reflect the views of the people of Northern Ireland and their aspirations for the future of the place which they share.

I view this process as symbolic of a new era for the people of Northern Ireland and as a unique opportunity to foster agreed values, aspirations and goals and to create a common vision of regional co-operation for growth and opportunity. We have the will, the energy, the imagination and the capacity to make this one of the best regions in Europe, and, indeed, the world.