socialgandhi

If you didn’t already, it’s worth getting a look at the front page of this morning’s Bel Tel.

Two headline stories that should make us all think about what’s happening in our society as Peter and Martin go across to meet Gorgeous George to plead our case ahead of October’s spending cuts announcements.

The Lost Generation – one in five of our young people can’t get a job read the lead story as the paper covered the release of a report by the Equality Commission on the impact of the economic downturn. Shockingly half of our unemployed are aged between 18 and 24; youth unemployment is now running at 20%, more than double the figure four years ago and three times the overall unemployment rate and four times the rate for older people.

Speaking at the launch of the Report, Evelyn Collins the Commission’s Chief Executive said, ‘We need to make sure that young people are not left behind to a lifetime without work or full involvement in society’. Here, here Evelyn!

For a copy of the full report go to www.equalityni.org

Contrast this story with the feature picture on the front page of the Telegraph of two secondary school students from North Belfast, one Catholic and one Protestant, as they read out an agreed statement dealing with the area’s troubled past and its hopes for the future at a candelit ceremony of remembrance and reflection at Duncairn Gardens, organised as part of the North Belfast Respect Programme by the Ashton Community Trust.

As one of the girls Nicole O’Rawe said, ‘This ceremony brings us all together. We should never forget the past, but look to move on towards a better future’. Here, here Nicole.

Let’s hope Martin and Peter don’t let you down at Westminster today.

For details of the North Belfast Respect Programme go to www.ashtoncentre.com