The document discusses challenges facing civil society in Northern Ireland and goals for improving engagement between citizens and the government. It addresses fault lines that threaten social cohesion, such as isolation of the poor and pressure on community ties. Devolution is presented as both a driver of change and an opportunity to develop a more participatory democracy through strategies to involve citizens and make the Assembly more accessible to the public. The need for a civic agenda and futures thinking is emphasized to address needs rather than positions and better engage civil society.

1. ENGAGING THE CITIZEN Futures For Civil Society The Rt Hon George Reid

3. “ The development of a dynamic and responsive strategy for outreach and public engagement ”

4. “ We must try to accept that we have a shared past and try to learn from it. “ The differences in our societies must cease to be barriers between us. “ We must learn to live together – not only to be supportive of our respective individual diversities but indeed to be champions of respect and tolerance of others”

8. FUTURES THINKING “ The purpose of looking at the future is to disturb the present”

10. PLEASE, NO CONSULTANT SPEAK!

13. LOCAL LIFE

14. DIVERSITY WARS

15. ATHENIAN VOICES

16. GLOBAL COMPACT

19. QUESTION 1 Is Devolution Decentralisation, power handed down from the Centre? Or is Devolution a dynamic process, power rising up from the People?

20. QUESTION 2 Does the Northern Ireland Assembly practise Representative Democracy? Or does the Northern Ireland Assembly practise Participative Democracy?

22. “ The development of a dynamic and responsive strategy for outreach and public engagement ”

24. “ We must learn to live together – not only to be supportive of our respective individual diversities but indeed to be champions of respect and tolerance of others”

27. “ Look to the Future. Accept the Challenges. Society fails if the citizen is not engaged. “ Setting an agenda for change is not a burden. It’s a responsibility. And an opportunity to change for good ”