Launch of WIMPS!

This morning I was at Parliament Buildings, Stormont where the Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie MLA officially launched the WIMPS project.

The ‘Where is My Public Servant’, (WIMPS) mobile is a vehicle kitted out with the latest media technology so people can express their views and influence decision makers in government and other places.

The mobile vehicle, which will travel around the province, is designed to bring the latest in video production and multi-media technology to young people from all parts of Northern Ireland. This will enable them to engage directly with elected representatives and make their views known. The vehicle complete with a range of video production equipment (cameras, laptops, lights etc.) will support young people to conduct interviews with leading political figures.

This morning, the Minister took time out to be interviewed by a group of young people.

Talking about the new mobile facility, she remarked.
“This project provides an excellent opportunity for young people to make their views known and influence future policies that directly impact upon them. I was interested in local politics from a young age and I am only too pleased to give our young people a chance to be heard. Too often, policy makers fail to take young people’s needs and views into account. The ‘WIMPS mobile’ is the perfect medium for this technical age.

“I have provided nearly £100,000 from my Department’s Modernisation Fund Capital Programme for the WIMPS mobile. I want to see my Modernisation Fund providing the most modern facilities to make community based initiatives more effective. The fund is about providing support to organisations throughout Northern Ireland, enabling them to deliver better services and a shared future to their local communities. The mobile studio complies with this remit, and will allow Public Achievement to work creatively with young people across Northern Ireland and to bring their voices to a wider audience.”

Co-operation Ireland, along with Community Evaluation Northern Ireland (CENI), and Community Places (previously Community Technical Aid) manages the delivery of the Modernisation Fund.

I expect the project will be a great success as the project promoters Public Achievement are committed and enthusiastic.