Human Rights Consortium

NIAPN is a member of the Human Rights Consortium established in 2000 to support widespread community participation in the consultation process on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. The Consortium campaigns for a strong and inclusive Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network argues for the inclusion of social and economic rights in the proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. The Network made a submission to the document issued by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Making a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. This submission is largely based on the discussions and conclusions of a conference and workshops held with our members in 2001. For additional information on our submission see the publications section of our website.

For additional information on the Consortium go to:

• www.billofrightsni.org

Equality Coalition

NIAPN is a member of the Equality Coalition an alliance of community and voluntary organisations that work together to further equality in general and Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act in particular. The purpose of Section 75 is to reduce inequalities in society.

Section 75 requires all public authorities in Northern Ireland to promote equality of opportunity between persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status or sexual orientation; between men and women generally; between persons with a disability and persons without; and between persons with dependants and persons without.

Essentially public authorities are required to "Equality Impact Assess" their policies in order to establish if any of the Section 75 groups are being adversely impacted upon. Where "adverse impacts" are identified, the relevant public authority is required to examine alternative ways in which the policy can be delivered which will promote equality of opportunity. Essentially, the purpose is to see if there are other ways of doing things that will lead to greater equality. Basically Section 75 aims to ensure that an equality perspective is incorporated into all policies at all levels and at all stages, by those normally involved in the policy-making process.

The Equality Coalition monitor and comment on Equality Impact Assessments as they are drafted and issued for consultation within Northern Ireland.

For additional information on the Equality Coalition contact:

Tim Cunningham
Equality Officer
Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ)
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EAPN-Ireland

EAPN Ireland is one of 25 members of the European Anti-Poverty Network. An independent network of organisations and individuals throughout the European Union working against poverty and social exclusion. EAPN Ireland is made up of over 100 individuals and organisations in Ireland working against poverty. The objectives of EAPN are:

• To put the fight against poverty and social exclusion on the political agenda of the European Union.
• To promote and enhance the effectiveness of actions against poverty and social exclusion
• To campaign for and with individuals and groups facing poverty and social exclusion.

In addition EAPN Ireland aims:

• To monitor the impact of European developments on poverty and social exclusion in Ireland
• To assist groups and organisations in Ireland in developing a European dimension to their work.

For additional information on EAPN Ireland contact:

Robin Hannon
Co-ordinator
EAPN Ireland
5 Gardiner Row
Dublin 1
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Web: www.eapn.ie

United Kingdom Liaison Group (UKLG)

The United Kingdom Liaison Group is one of 25 members of the European Anti-Poverty Network. This umbrella mechanism enables the UK's regional anti-poverty networks to work together on european, national and regional anit-poverty policy issues. The members of the UKLG are Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network, EAPN England, EAPN Cmyru and the Scottish Poverty Alliance. The members of the United Kingdom Liaison Group regularly communicate with each other on European, National and local anti-poverty policy areas and members of all UK regional networks regularly attend EAPN events, such as Annual Delegate Conferences, European training seminars and conferences on various aspects of poverty and social exclusion. We exchange information on the work of our organisations and support each other at a European level through membership of the European Anti Poverty Network. Our key policy focus has been the European Union National Action Plans for Social Inclusion.

 UKLG Members

• Frances Dowds – Director NIAPN
• Lumturi Podrimaj - NIAPN Board Representative
• Peter Kelly - Director Scottish Poverty Alliance
• Rae Phillips - EAPN England 
• Katherine Duffy - EAPN England
• Frances Ballin - APNC Cymru

Links

• Scottish Poverty Alliance - secretariat for UKLG
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• EAPN England
• NI Anti-Poverty Network

Social Policy Task Force (SPTF)

NIAPN are an active member of the SPTF established by EAPN England to focus and lobby specifically on the EU National Action Plans for Social Inclusion (NAP). This coalition of anti-poverty Non Governmental Organisations meets bi-monthly to monitor and plan events to feed into the NAP. Members of the SPTF also hold bi-monthly meetings with the Department of Work and Pensions to contribute to the NAP policy process and to ensure the voices of People Experiencing Poverty (PEP) are heard at the heart of the policy making process. The Get Heard Project was developed out of work carried out between the SPTF and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). A number of other conferences have developed out of this partnership, such as the National Conference on Social Inclusion and the Working Poor Conference.

United Kingdom Coalition Against Poverty (UKCAP)

Formed in 1996, the Coalition Against Poverty exist to enable people who experience poverty in the UK to play an active role in developing national policies for the eradication of poverty. UKCAP was re-formed in 2003 after successfully receiving funding from the Big Lottery with support from NIAPN and many anti-poverty organisations from across the UK. UKCAP believes poverty in the 21st Century is unacceptable and aims to be fully representative of People Experiencing Poverty and organisations that represent their interests and issues. That is why UKCAP has a 50/50 membership of NGO's and PEP. UKCAP works to develop opportunities for communication and joint activities between local, regional and national anti-poverty groups and works with Government to open their policy making processes to greater participation. UKCAP provides secretariat to the SPTF.