Lord Mayor of Belfast Mairtin O’Muilleoir with guest speakers at his Vision for Belfast launch
SINN FEIN’S Lord Mayor of Belfast said people need to come together to build a lasting peace.
Councillor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir was speaking today as he unveiled his `Vision for Belfast` document.
He urged residents across the city to help him achieve the theme of his term in office: `Building the future Belfast – together`.
“In all of my work, I pledge to remain relentlessly positive about Belfast, its people and its future,” the Lord Mayor said.
“Today I am revealing my vision of how I can use the office of Mayor to build a better Belfast.
“I ask for your help in making my vision a reality. First and foremost, that means building the peace and working hard to bring our people together.
“It also means striving to create jobs. And of course in all our work we have to ensure that our working class communities enjoy a greater share of the peace dividend,” he added.
Highlights of the Lord Mayor`s Vision document include:
*Leading a technology trade mission from Belfast to Silicon Valley USA later this year
* Hosting a business mission to Belfast from New York early next year
* Introducing `Future Belfast Fridays` when his engagements will focus on building confidence in our economy
* Inviting all Mayors of towns and cities along the eastern economic corridor to join him in promoting cross border economic development
* Working with the Somme Association and the Royal British Legion to explore ways to pay respect to the unionist and nationalist dead of the First World War
* Appointing Sinead Morrissey as Poet Laureate for Belfast – in conjunction with the Arts Council, Arts & Business and the Movie House – to work with residents and celebrate poetry in our great city
* Hosting a Civic Forum on the crucial issue of tackling poverty
* Launching a Lord Mayor`s Commendation Award for those doing outstanding work to build the future Belfast
* Promoting the Belfast Ambassadors awards, the first of which has already been presented to Liam Neeson
* Hosting a Belfast Day on Sunday, 29 September 2013 to celebrate the diversity of Belfast. Local cuisine, literature, minorities, music, youth and all that makes Belfast special will be showcased for all to enjoy
* Partnering with the Ulster Museum to borrow and display two major works celebrating the traditions of unionism and republicanism in Belfast
* Promoting the Irish language as “a shared treasure of all”
Today`s event at City Hall was attended by representatives from the community, business, arts and culture, trade unions and tourism sectors.
Speakers (pictured above) who endorsed the content of the Vision document included business leader Terence Brannigan (first right), tourism chief Howard Hastings (third right), trade union leader Peter Bunting (second right), chairman of the Somme Association Dr Ian Adamson (second left) and CEO of Arts & Business Mary Trainor-Nagele.
