Belfast Healthy Cities Conference Launched

A Belfast Healthy Cities conference is to be held to explore how culture and the arts contribute to health and wellbeing, and how they contribute to the regeneration of cities and communities.

Launching the 'Promoting Culture and Arts is Good for Health' conference, Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín said: "The arts have a very important role to play in delivering the transformation of our society. Arts and culture can strengthen communities, bring people together and remove social barriers.

"My Department's objective is to fully harness the power of the creative and cultural sectors to contribute to the wellbeing of our communities, towns and cities. Across the Department we encourage innovative approaches to address social exclusion, enhance education and support health and well being.

"Arts and opportunities for cultural expression should be freely available to all. Since taking up office, I have ensured that my Department and its arm's-length bodies have made good progress in targeting public resources in a way which will bring about meaningful change to as many people as possible but, in particular, to the most disadvantaged in our communities.

"Culture and the arts also create wealth by supporting jobs and attracting visitors. Belfast's distinctive and thriving cultural scene is attractive to visitors who come here for positive and welcoming cultural and educational experiences.

"Arts and culture are also key to creating, shaping and supporting healthy people, healthy communities and healthy urban environments, which in turn help to make cities attractive places to live, work and invest in."

(MH)