Obama School Visit 'A Vote Of Confidence'

US President Barack Obama's visit to Enniskillen Integrated Primary School ahead of this year's G8 Summit has been described as "a vote of confidence and support for the integrated education sector from one of the world’s most powerful leaders" by Alliance spokesperson Trevor Lunn.

The visit was organised by Prime Minister David Cameron.

Mr Lunn said: "President Obama made a great speech in Belfast in which he called for our towns and schools to be integrated. His subsequent visit to an integrated school shows that his actions matches his words.

"Integrated education has shown that children can mix successfully and the benefits of which will stay with them later in life.

"His visit to an integrated school will provide food for thought to the First and deputy First Ministers who have indicated their preference for shared education. The only way to resolve the issue of separated schools that he highlighted, will be to increase the size of the integrated sector."

Alliance leader David Ford said the Executive needed to "rise to the challenge laid down to them" by the US President during his speech at Belfast's Waterfront Hall earlier today.

David Ford MLA said: "President Obama recognised the progress made in Northern Ireland, but he made clear that we still have a long way to go.

"If we want to create a community that the young people in the hall this morning will want to be part of, we must rise to the challenge that he laid down.

"As President Obama made clear, that will mean integrated education, shared neighbourhoods and working with communities to bring down interfaces.

"To have President Obama visit Belfast and speak was positive, but it will only be worthwhile if take heed of what he said."

(IT/MH)