Kennedy voices support for ‘One Small Step’ campaign
Speaking today following a One Small Step event in Parliament Buildings, Deputy Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party in the Northern Ireland Assembly Danny Kennedy MLA has voiced his support for the One Small Step campaign. The event was also attended by Ulster Unionist councillors Alex Baird, James McKerrow and Eddie Rea and MLAs Robert Coulter, John McCallister and Alan McFarland.
Mr. Kennedy said, “the vision of the One Small Step campaign of a society ‘where there is equity, respect for diversity and a recognition of our interdependence’ is a blueprint of the values that will build a Northern Ireland for all of us. If Northern Ireland is to have a shared future a respectful relationship between our various political, cultural and religious traditions is needed. Now that the political framework created by the Agreement has been accepted by all parties, it is crucial that a culture of respect is promoted by those in positions of political responsibility. Our children and grandchildren deserve better than a society marked by intolerance or indifference.
“The One Small Step campaign is a powerful reminder, however, that building a shared future is not the sole responsibility of politicians and government – it is a responsibility we all share. Individuals, families, local communities, schools, faith groups, professional organizations can all make important contributions to promoting a culture of respect. We can all take steps towards building a Northern Ireland that is at peace with itself.
“In my comments at the One Small Step event, I referred to the need for ‘a renewed focus on the development of a shared society’. The political progress of the past decade offers us the opportunity to build a shared Northern Ireland. This is now the challenge lying before all of us”.