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A unique liaison involving Protestant and Roman Catholic Churches in Ireland and the USA, the Department for Employment and Learning and American Colleges is making a significant impact in the world of business.
In just 8 years The Business Education Initiative has helped around 1200 students from Northern Ireland and the border counties to undertake 9 months business training at top American colleges and the latest graduates of the scheme will be honoured at a dinner in Belfast this Friday night, 01-11-02, organised by the Department for Employment and Learning. (Details from DEL)
The dinner coincides with the annual visit to Belfast of the American Church partners of the Inter Church Committee on Northern Ireland who initiated the scheme. Their membership comprises representatives of the Roman Catholic Church in Northern Ireland and the USA and the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the USA. Those representatives include Ambassador Josiah Beeman of the Presbyterian Church in the USA, Dr John Dunlop and Sir Eric McDowell from the Irish Presbyterian Church, John Carr of the US Catholic Conference and Most Rev Anthony Farquhar, Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor.
The Inter Church Committee has been meeting since 1990 and in 1994 together with the Methodist Church and Church of Ireland it issued the Churches' Call for Fair Employment and Investment in Northern Ireland. This helped develop common ground across religious lines on the need for fair employment but also encouraged further investment into Northern Ireland form the USA aimed at all sections of the community. The Call was supported by then Prime Minister John Major and former US President Bill Clinton in addition to political parties and trade organisations in Northern Ireland and the USA.
The Business Education Initiative began as a pilot programme in 1994 and last year saw 165 students placed in 110 colleges. It is funded by the Department for Employment and Learning and the American Colleges who waive all tuition fees.
Today, Thursday, members of the Inter Church Committee are meeting with church and community leaders and this evening will hear an evaluation of the Business Education Initiative prepared by Price Waterhouse Coopers. (6.30pm Europa) Tomorrow. Friday, the Inter Church Committee will have a series of meetings with local political representatives.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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