Hamilton Helps Launch International Development Awards

STRANGFORD DUP MLA Simon Hamilton has joined fellow members of the Assembly’s All Party Group on International Development and pupils from St Joseph’s College in Belfast to help launch this year’s International Development Awards.

The All Party Group on International Development (APGID) have launched a website to invite nominations for the second International Development Awards Ceremony, which will take place in Stormont in March

Simon Hamilton MLA Gets a bit of help to launch the International Development Awards

The APGID, which is a cross-party group of MLA’s with a personal interest in development issues, are calling for entries across seven award categories, including best contribution to; public sector development, aid project by a school or youth group, voluntary contribution, healthcare services, agriculture, education and economic development.

Commenting Simon Hamilton said, “Lots of people all across Northern Ireland, selflessly give of their time and energy to help those less fortunate living in other parts of the world. Many help raise money whilst others personally make trips to poverty stricken parts of the world where they offer practical support. These awards are an opportunity for us in the All Party Group to offer some recognition for the exceptional efforts being made by many of our citizens.

The awards seek to recognise and celebrate the various different ways which people have contributed to international development, whether that is through fundraising, volunteering abroad, innovating or policy development, and to acknowledge the efforts of those leading the way in the field.

In these tough economic times, international development issues may not appear to be a top priority and whilst we at Stormont have no direct power to develop an international aid strategy of our own, I believe that we do have a moral duty to continue to focus attention on the poverty that afflicts billions in less fortunate parts of our planet and encourage the countless church and community groups in Northern Ireland who do so much.

I would encourage anyone who knows anyone who is doing worthwhile work in this sector to visit our website at www.apgidawards.com and nominate them for an award”.