Look to the future

EIGHTY-five people from the borough spent three days together at the end of last month discussing, debating and ultimately creating a shared vision of what they want Coleraine Borough to look like in 2030.

The conference was organised and co funded by Causeway Chamber of Commerce, Coleraine Borough Council and the University of Ulster.

The event was attended by stakeholders from education, community and voluntary sectors, business, tourism, Council, the public sector, sport and leisure, young people and a group of ambassadors all either, working, living or with a connection to the borough and all keen to help drive the borough forward for the benefit of all citizens.

James Smyth, Causeway Chamber President said that he was “tremendously encouraged with the quality of the attendees and excited about the outputs and potential for the future and keen to retain the engagement of all the participants in the action groups.”

Roger Wilson, Chief Executive Coleraine Borough Council was also “encouraged by the energy in the room over the three days. All participants left the event inspired and proud of what is happening and what will be happening in our region.”

The group discovered eight areas of common ground across the stakeholder groups and created eight groups with action plans that will help to deliver on the dream of what Coleraine Borough should look like in 2030.

The conference was facilitated by Sandra Janoff from Philadelphia, who has developed the Future Search process over the last 30 years and worked with charity and community organisations and international companies across the world.

Professor Richard Barnett, Vice Chancellor, University of Ulster, said: “There is no better demonstration of the value of the Future Search event than the fact that so many people from such a diverse range of backgrounds stayed for the full three days of the conference. “This is a clear demonstration of their commitment to the future development of the Coleraine economy. I’m pleased that the University chose to co-sponsor the event with the Borough Council and the Chamber of Commerce”.

For further information on Coleraine Future Search please contact [email protected].

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