I am disappointed that Yesterday at Stormont, a motion calling for Northern Irish specific targets for Child Poverty was rejected by Sinn Fein and the DUP.

Child Poverty is a significant issue in my constituency, with 21% of children in East Belfast living in poverty. Child poverty is unacceptable as it greatly diminishes a child’s life chances. A child that does not have access to a proper diet, clothes, educational materials, recreational opportunities and a computer cannot fulfil their full potential at school and ultimately, life.

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I was honoured this week with the opportunity to launch Community Relations Week 2013 organised by the Community Relations Council at an event in Parliament Buildings. Here I am pictured with Gabriel Makamanzi, who sang on behalf of the Northern Ireland Community for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (NICRAS) and my colleague, Judith Cochrane Alliance MLA for East Belfast.

Community Relations Week takes place from May 20 – May 26 with over 180 events across Northern Ireland on the theme Expressing Identity - Addressing Division.

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I recently had the pleasure of participating as a panelist at the  NI Council on Integrated Education Annual Spring Conference. NICIE aims to co-ordinate efforts to develop Integrated Education in Northern Ireland. I was very grateful for the opportunity to engage with principals and teachers working tirelessly to educate our children together and to the highest standards.

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