Healing divisions
Community division is not unique to Northern Ireland, nor unexpected in a society emerging from a lengthy period of political and social turmoil. A more stable, peaceful and progressive community is developing from imaginative initiatives taken by government and political and community leaders over recent years.
Building dialogue, mutual understanding and trust is a key priority. Creating rewarding employment is another. And the potential for arts, leisure and cultural activities to be linked to the development of good citizenship and the embedding of peace is significant. Significant progress has been made in strengthening the economy and increasing employment opportunities.
Government continues to promote and celebrate the richness of the cultural diversity in the process of developing policies on linguistic diversity including the Irish language, Ulster-Scots, ethnic minority languages and British and Irish sign languages.
It is also striving for an increased understanding of and for the various sections of the community in Northern Ireland, which will moderate attitudes relating to difference and division, challenge stereotyping and encourage positive attitudes towards cultural diversity.
Over 30 years of violence and murder has had a serious impact on all aspects of society in Northern Ireland. Government and support organisations have tried to respond positively to the needs of victims and survivors. Not all those needs have been met. Work is ongoing to put in place improved practical support and help to victims and survivors 
of the conflict and to provide them with recognition, acknowledgement and help to rebuild their lives.
