PUP urge work on sharedfuture

He said that all groups in society must be involved in a shared future if we are to make the transition from conflict to peace successfully.

Mr Gardiner has spoken recently on social inclusion and the importance of education and quality services for tackling disadvantage.

He also feels some groups continue to struggle to find a role for themselves in a shared society following the conflict and that this issue is also linked to social exclusion and poverty.

He said: “Obviously, tackling disadvantage and providing opportunities for everyone to participate are key elements of a social inclusion agenda.

“However, I think the issue of promoting a shared future is a more complex issue than tackling disadvantage.”

Mr Gardiner was employed as a project coordinator by EPIC which provides a range of support and services to political ex-prisoners.

He feels that political ex-prisoners face a range of issues that excludes them socially and economically but also crucially prevents them from participating fully in a shared future.

He continued: “Following the Good Friday Agreement prisoners from both communities were released but many have struggled to adjust to society post-conflict.