Providing financial assistance to students from West Belfast is the main aim of this bursary programme. Some bursaries are specifically for those participating in vocational training or a subject specific course of study relevant to the sponsor’s area of business or interest.

The Aisling Bursary Initiative highlights the importance the business community attaches to education in developing West Belfast. Each business contributes £1,000 for a full time bursary or £500 for a part time bursary.In the past 10 years businesses have made donations of £362,500 to a total of 401 recipients.

To help celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Busaries last year, Irish President Mary McAleese was on hand to present the awards. To apply for a busary this year, click here.

The Community Environment Awards are organised by the West Belfast Partnership Board and supported by longstanding sponsors the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast Community Housing, Translink and the Kennedy Centre. Reflecting the growing stature of the Awards, this year sees a host of new sponsors becoming involved, with Fold, Clanmil, Ark and Helm Housing Associations, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Belfast City Council, and McLaughlin and Harvey all involved for the first time.

Bronagh O’Kane, Housing and Planning Officer at the West Belfast Partnership, said: ‘I’d like to encourage anyone who has been involved in a local environmental project to submit an application and bring the often overlooked work of local groups to the fore’. Last year 27 projects applied for the awards, with this year’s categories focusing on Community, Education and Public Art. Bronagh added: ‘We are calling on all groups and individuals to get their nominations in before the closing date on Friday 17th September and help us celebrate the fantastic environmental work carried out locally in West Belfast’. Successful applicants will have their awards presented at a special event later this autumn.

Alec McRitchie, Director, Communications and Public Affairs, Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast commented: “As part of our support for the Task Force areas, we are glad to sponsor the West Belfast Partnership Board Community Awards again this year. Bombardier has a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility, which includes an environmentally-focused approach not only to our product design and manufacturing processes, but also our impact on the local community. In addition to our sponsorship of the Sustainable Communities programme across Belfast, we welcome this opportunity to support the Partnership Board and other organisations who wish to address environmental issues in this area,”

For an application form please contact the West Belfast Partnership on 028 9080 9292 or by email on bronagh@wbpb.org.

The Minister was speaking as he launched a new Health Development Unit in Belfast. The Belfast Health Development Unit, which has been set up as a partnership between Belfast City Council, the Public Health Agency and the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, will help drive forward health improvements and tackle health inequalities in Belfast.

The first of a range of joint working initiatives being established throughout Northern Ireland, the unit will focus on priority groups, including older people and children and young people, taking a strategic approach to tackling issues such as obesity and alcohol misuse.

Speaking at the launch in Belfast City Hall, Michael McGimpsey said: “There have been significant advances in public health in recent years, with life expectancy rising overall. However, there is still a continuing health gap.

“Let’s be clear – people do not choose ill health. Many people die prematurely every year in Northern Ireland due to preventable illness, and this is particularly prevalent in deprived areas. It is an unfortunate fact that health and wellbeing is influenced by our social circumstances and environment.

“I am committed to tackling health inequalities across our communities.”

The Minister said that strengthening inter-sectoral working, particularly between the health and social care sector and local government, is one of his key objectives.

He said: “As part of the reforms of health and social care, I wanted to strengthen partnership working between the HSC and local government to deliver real change in health and wellbeing in communities across Northern Ireland. That is what this initiative is all about.”

The Minister concluded: “I firmly believe that, by bringing together expertise and working more closely in partnership with each other, we have a real opportunity to tackle the major public health challenges that affect our communities, such as rising obesity and alcohol and drug misuse.”

Chief Executive, Dr Eddie Rooney said: “As a result of efforts from all the partners, excellent progress has meant that virtually all Council areas have agreed to new joint working with the PHA. The launch of the Belfast Health Development Unit is the first practical manifestation of the joint working programme.

“It is also encouraging that in several other areas, Councils are at an advanced stage in planning with us to proceed with similar initiatives. Our common goal is to close the gap in health and wellbeing between communities across Northern Ireland, giving individuals improved and longer lives. Much has been achieved – but we can do more.

“By 2011, for the first time through the work of the new Unit, there will be a single Health and Wellbeing Plan for Belfast. The vision is for ‘a good life in a fair City’ for all the people of Belfast.”

Lord Mayor, Councillor Naomi Long added: “The joint Belfast Unit represents a new approach to improve health and wellbeing for all, no matter which part of the city we come from or what our background or ethnic origin might be. It is about enabling us all to live better and healthier lives and ensuring that those who live in the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods no longer have to suffer from significantly worse health than others. All children born in Belfast, or indeed other areas of Northern Ireland, should have the same chances of leading a fulfilled, long and healthy life – that is what the new Unit will strive for.

“Good health is not just about our physical well-being, it is influenced by our environment, housing, education and employment opportunities; therefore it is essential that agencies work together to try to tackle inequality and the kind of ‘postcode lottery’ that can exist when it comes to equal opportunity. We need to focus on prevention rather than cure, reducing the strain on the health service.

“This will take a radical approach, breaking down barriers between agencies, pooling resources, planning and delivering together in a way that avoids duplication and working with communities at grass roots level. The new Unit, sponsored by three key organisations, will help us to realise these goals and I’m delighted that Belfast City Council is part of this new approach.”

Speaking at the event Minister Kelly described An Chultúrlann as a wonderful destination and is a magnificent example of the ingenuity and endeavour of Irish language and cultural activists in this city.

Mr Kelly said: “Working along with the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and other departments, OFMDFM has, through the Integrated Development Fund, been able to support this project with the funding that it so richly deserves. I believe that this is a concrete example of what can be achieved when we all work together to make a difference to the lives of the people that we serve and represent.

“I would like to pay tribute to all those who have worked so hard to bring this project to fruition.

“The investment being made in An Chultúrlann will act as a catalyst for the emerging An Ceathrú Gaeltachta. I would like to wish those who have spearheaded this innovative project every success.”

The group from Malmo were interested to hear how we are tackling the problems faced here and also explained the measures they are taking to tackle the issues they are facing back in Sweden. While both cities face different types of issues, engaging with the disadvantaged, and disadvantaged children and young people in particular, is of great interest to both parties and it was fascinating to learn how other countries are dealing with their social and economic problems.

Mr Libeskind is probably best known as the master plan architect for the reconstruction of the World Trade Centre site in New York. He will be lending his professional expertise to the design competition which will transform the former Andersonstown’s Police Station.

Callie Persic from the West Belfast Partnership Board said: “The West Belfast Partnership Board is delighted to be involved in this project alongside one of the world’s foremost architects. Daniel Libeskind has been at the cutting edge of architectural innovation and has designed some of the world’s most acclaimed buildings. His input will ensure the involvement of world class designers in this hugely exciting step in the regeneration of the West Belfast area.”

Speaking about Mr Libeskind’s involvement, Margaret Ritchie said: “It is a terrific reflection on an exciting project that one of the world’s leading architects has agreed to become involved in the EXPO West design competition. Mr Libeskind’s advice in developing a brief for the site and assessing entries will be invaluable, and I believe his involvement in the competition will attract world-class architecture and design teams. Like me, Mr Libeskind is committed to building a thriving and confident Belfast and to involving the local community in design proposals for their area.”

Mr Libeskind, who recently received an honorary degree from the University of Ulster in recognition of his outstanding services to global architecture and design, commented: “I am very excited that EXPO West Design competition in Belfast will become an extraordinary example of world class architecture and urban design. With the powerful history of the site, the project is committed to the meaningful revitalization of Belfast.”

The Minister, who has called for a landmark building on this site, has asked PLACE, the Northern Ireland Centre for Architecture and the Built Environment, to gather local people’s views on its future design and use. Over the coming weeks, PLACE will be organising a series of meetings in cooperation with the West Belfast Partnership Board. To have your say or to find out more, log on to Expo West.

The Director of PLACE Michael Hegarty said: “PLACE is delighted that DSD are showing commitment to creating high quality architecture and approaching this development in such an inclusive way with real public engagement in the local area around the site. Mr Libeskind’s interest and involvement shows the high level of international interest in the regeneration of Northern Ireland. He is perhaps the most celebrated architect currently working globally and he wants to ensure both a thorough process and a high quality end result for the development.”

The Ministers attended a meeting on the issue with the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and leading local entrepreneur Lord Ballyedmond OBE, founder and chairperson of the Newry-based pharmaceutical company Norbrook Laboratories Ltd.

Discussion centred around the steps being taken by both Departments to promote STEM subjects locally. Norbrook and the RSC also set out how they plan to deliver their own joint programme which will encourage teaching of subjects such as chemistry, bio-chemistry and chemical engineering.

Speaking after the meeting, Caitríona Ruane said: “I fully recognise the need to promote teaching and studying of STEM subjects in our schools. The revised curriculum includes a focus on this crucial area at all key stage levels, helping our young people to develop the skills they need to succeed in life and at work.

“Parallel to this, my Department has been engaged in delivering on a number of the recommendations made in last year’s STEM review report. These include providing more STEM-focused careers education for pupils and a new programme of professional development for teachers at both primary and post-primary levels.

“The Department has increased its support for STEM-related events such as the annual BT Young Scientist competition, in which many pupils from the North excelled last month. I also recently announced funding to support the establishment by the Institute of Physics in Ireland of a Physics Teacher Network to promote teaching of the subject in schools across the North.”

Minister Ruane added: “I commend both Norbrook Laboratories and the RSC on their planned initiative, which will dovetail well with the extensive statutory provision already in place in this area.”

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, said: “The importance of attracting students to STEM subjects cannot be overstated. If we are to address this issue then a collaborative approach, across government, business and education sectors, is essential. Only then will we be in a position to equip our young people with the science and technology-based skills which are crucial to Northern Ireland’s future economic well-being.”

Sir Reg continued: “Our success in the global market will be dependent on our ability to anticipate and react to the needs of a modern, knowledge-based economy through the provision of a highly trained and motivated workforce. Programmes such as those outlined by Norbrook and the Royal Society of Chemistry can only aid this process.”

Lord Ballyedmond commented: “I am pleased that Ministers Empey and Ruane are taking strong action to promote the uptake of STEM subjects in schools and universities. By building local expertise in mathematics and the sciences, it will boost the employment prospects of young people and help strengthen the economy in the long term. Working with the Royal Society of Chemistry, I hope to be able to contribute to the progress in this crucial area.”

Speaking at the official launch of the third 2010 Multidisciplinary Conference on Mental Health hosted by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Minister said: “This year’s title ‘From Hospital to Community’ is very apt, as it captures the essence of how we are trying to modernise our mental health and learning disability services and make them more user-focussed.

“One of the guiding principles of The Bamford Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability was to recognise people with mental health needs or with learning disabilities as citizens, and enable them to live fulfilling lives, by supporting them in the community.”

Recognising the need for effective community care services Mr McGimpsey said: “The key to a strategic shift in services is the creation of a range of primary care and community based health services to help people with mental health and learning disability needs, before their conditions become acute. Community mental health and learning disability teams have been developed, and continue to be developed, to support people at home in their communities.”

The conference was attended by a range of professionals involved in mental health services.