The Evangelical Alliance in its most recent newsletter has stated that pushing a pro-family agenda has been a key part of the Evangelical Alliance’s policy work, and it outlines steps the Executive should take in motivating and supporting the same.
The leading article states:
David Cameron has said that he wants to make Britain the most family friendly country in Europe. There is a recognition that the basic ties of family are at the heart of our society.
Here in Northern Ireland, pushing a pro-family agenda has been a key part of the Evangelical Alliance’s policy work. In the recent May elections family was mentioned over 80 times in the various manifestos – a significant increase on previous elections. This increase was particularly evident in the manifestos of the parties we had met with during their drafting process to explain why we thought family was so crucial.
At a time of spending cuts and reduced government spending, it is all the more important that family and voluntary organisations are strongly supported. Family breakdown costs more than £41 billion each year across the UK. Strong families promote wellbeing – which depends significantly on family and other relationships. They reduce the social and economic costs and consequences of weak and fractured relationships. This is essential in maintaining a competitive economy. Education, health, policing, housing, welfare and social care all face significantly increased demand pressures when family relationships break down. Finally, strong families increase social mobility as extended families provide access to opportunities and the capabilities to take opportunities when they arise.
The Executive has three key roles to play: · Motivation – encouraging a culture that values family relationships, · Opportunity – enabling family relationships and the exercise of responsibility within them, · Support – relieving pressure on relationships and helping people to cope with their responsibilities.
The Executive is in the process of drafting the new Programme for Government which will set the over-arching priorities for the next five years, key themes that all departments must seek to achieve. Given the importance of this document EANI requested a meeting with those involved in its drafting.
We brought together a number of policy specialists from across the churches to share ideas. Perhaps the most interesting thing we learnt at the meeting was that churches and faith groups, who are the biggest contributors to the voluntary sector, were not due to be contacted during the crucial pre-consultation process. There are frustrating moments like this when government seems to forget the critical role Christians play.
The positive outcome however was the recognition from civil servants that churches offer an important and different voice. We wanted to talk about the overarching values that would define any new executive and the importance of marriage and family rather than a single issue or programme. We were interested in the big picture as well as specific policies. We were contending on behalf of others, the vulnerable and weak in our society, rather than just for ourselves.
The Evangelical Alliance NI will be submitting a Programme for Government articulating a different vision for our society. As government spending shrinks, someone will have to step into the gap – churches, faith groups and the extended family will have an important role to play. This should provide opportunities at a local church and policy level to make a real difference.
See also – Winners and losers in N. Ireland’s elections:
http://www.eauk.org/politics/winners-and-losers-in-northern-ireland.cfm