The event, which was hosted and funded by the Carnegie UK Trust, an organisation that works to improve the lives of people throughout the UK and Ireland through influencing policy and partnership working, is being organised in partnership with fellow Carnegie institution, the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, aimed at delivering on the organisation’s strategic goal to support and implement a series of wellbeing outcomes for Northern Ireland.
The event celebrated and reflected on the progress and challenges made in improving wellbeing here featured a number of well-known infuencers, including former US Senator George Mitchell, who talked about the progress made in the North of Ireland to date.
Welcoming the participation of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Strategic Growth Partnership at the international seminar, the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council said that it was a fantastic opportunity for the partnership to get support in implementing its Strategic Growth Plan and helping to make a difference to the communities they serve.
He said: “Derry City and Strabane District Council, alongside two other Councils in Northern Ireland were successful in a bid to the Carnegie UK trust for their “Embedding Wellbeing in Northern Ireland Project”.
“It is fantastic that the Carnegie Trust are engaging with us to showcase the local wellbeing outcomes approach and to offer us a range of support systems to allow us to learn from one another and share our experiences with other councils and organisations.
“I am very supportive of the work carried out by the Carnegie UK Trust in terms of advocacy and encouraging governments to measure social progress in a meaningful way.
Rachael Craig, Strategic Business Manager with Derry City and Strabane District Council, travelled as part of the Council delegation along with Gavin Killeen Co Chair and Paul Kavanagh, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Outcome Delivery Partnership.
All members of the Strategic Growth Partnership, said the international seminar programme was a great opportunity for Council’s community planning teams to share their experiences with American stakeholders and to learn from international best practice in overcoming challenges in improving wellbeing.
She commented: “We are delighted to be working in close partnership with Carnegie UK Trust on this exciting project and are confident we will benefit from being part of discussions with key American policymakers, analysts and stakeholders.”