Belfast conference boosts Capital of Culture bid

In a move that will bolster its bid to become the European Capital of Culture in 2008, Belfast is set to stage its first international built heritage conference.

The conference, ‘Look Up Belfast: A New Perspective on the City’, will run from October 1-3 at the Belfast Waterfront Hall and will feature many speakers of international standing.

The conference's key sessions will explore the power of built heritage as an economic driver in urban renaissance, and the fundamental link between cultural identity and historic buildings.

The conference is targeted at politicians, the media, chief officers from local government, directors and senior personnel from statutory agencies, development companies, architecture, property agencies, heritage organisations, lobbying bodies, community and voluntary organizations, universities and educational bodies.

Councillor Nelson McCausland, Chair of Belfast City Council’s Development (Arts) Sub-Committee, said: “The conference could not have come at a better time for our city. We really need to get to grips with how we can preserve the best of our past, whilst creating a great city for tomorrow’s generations."

Also today, Culture Minister Michael McGimpsey announced three appointments to the Board of the Northern Ireland Museums Council.

Ian Hill, Sharon O’Connor and Thomas Scott will take up their posts – which are unpaid – immediately after the Annual General Meeting in September and are for a period of three years.

Mr McGimpsey said: “The Northern Ireland Museums Council is playing a key role in encouraging the development of local museums in a coherent and sustainable way. It provides effective liaison between the main interests in the museums sector and I am confident that the three members whom I have appointed will further strengthen the range of experience within the Council and will assist it in its work.”

Operating as a limited company with charitable status, the body is managed by an Executive Board of 15 people, of which three are ministerial appointees. The Board currently employs four staff and oversees an annual budget of some £180,000.

Ian Hill is arts correspondent of the News Letter and the Ireland correspondent for both the Museums’ Journal and Galleries Magazine and a well-known author of travel books. Sharon O’Connor is the Director of Cultural and Economic Development at Down District Council. Neither Ms O'Connor nor Mr Hill have been involved in any political activity within the past five years.

Thomas ‘Lexie’ Scott is Head Teacher of Gracehill Primary School and is a UUP member of Ballymena Borough Council.

Mr Scott stood for the UUP in the North Antrim Westminster constituency in 2001, where he lost out to DUP leader Ian Paisley.

(GMcG)