A contingent from the Isle of Man Government attended a British-Irish Council (BIC) Social Inclusion groups Ministerial meeting in Edinburgh last week.
Eddie Teare MHK (pictured), Minister for the DHSS, Bill Malarkey, MHK, Member for Social Services and Andrew Swithinbank, Director of Social Services, attended the meeting, which was hosted by the Scottish Government at the Mansfield Traquair Centre.
The meeting focussed on the contribution of the 'Third Sector' to social inclusion across all eight jurisdictions of the British Isles.
The BIC provides a forum for all jurisdictions of the British Isles to discuss and reach co-operation on matters of mutual interest such as Social Inclusion.
The Ministerial meeting was chaired by John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth in the Scottish Government, and there was representation from the British Government, Irish Government, Welsh Assembly Government, Northern Ireland Executive, Isle of Man Government, States of Jersey, and Guernsey.
The Ministers discussed the recent development of working with the Third Sector to promote social inclusion; reviewed the Report on the work carried out by BIC social Inclusion Officer group; and noted the social and economic potential of the Third Sector to reach across communities in a unique way.
They agreed that the theme has led to a dynamic process of learning and co-operation, reflecting the original intention of the BIC.
Minister Teare, reporting on the situation in the Isle of Man, told his fellow Ministers, "We are taking a strategic approach to working with the third sector to promote social inclusion.
"Recognising the potential of the Third Sector to help target limited resources most effectively and shape development through its skills and knowledge the government foresees a situation where third and public sector have equal influence on policy, formulation, and operational delivery.
"Thus the Council of Ministers commissioned the Third Sector/Government Liaison Steering Group to foster collaboration in tackling of social, economic and environment issues affecting the quality of life and inclusion of vulnerable people and produce a framework for partnership working."
Mr Malarkey said, "As a newcomer to this particular BIC strand, it was fascinating to learn from other jurisdictions who were further developed in some areas which we were pursuing.
"For example, England’s ‘Compact’ was helpful to us in the preparation of the Island’s own framework for Third Sector Government partnership.
"We learnt (particularly from Scotland) of the potential of Third Sector organisation in business development, job and wealth creation and the expansion of enterprise.
"This has helped us adopt a more entrepreneurial approach to the development of commercial aspects of Third Sector Organisations and will help us to focus on supporting social enterprises."
The Ministers agreed that there are major, immediate challenges facing the Third Sector and Governments, particularly in terms of how to meet the social and economic inclusion challenge ahead, and therefore agreed to the continuation of the Third Sector theme.
Andrew Swithinbank. Director of Social Services, who is the Isle of Man’s representative on the officer group commented, "The Isle of Man found the turning point in the value of the joint work across BIC members was when jurisdictions showed not only their 'flagship' projects but also those where participants were struggling to find solutions and sought experience and advice of international colleagues.
"For example, when the Isle of Man facilitated a study visit focussing on partnership within the Third Sector and with Government, it led to a multi analysis of the critical factors required to develop such partnerships effectively and successfully.
"As well as gaining valuable lessons for the Island’s benefit, it has been interesting to see the impression of the Island from the large adjacent countries change as they have gained ideas from the relationships we have developed with our Third Sector.
"This is reflected in having more than our fair share, relative to our size, selected as good examples in the report.
"The work carried out by the officials will continue to seek to strengthen and consolidate the ongoing co-operation and exchange of information, experience and best practice between the Isle of Man and England, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Guernsey and Jersey."
