5 December 2001 Media Statement

Government ministers to attend Auckland Social Development Forum

Seven government ministers are attending a Social Development Forum in Waitakere City with 120 community social services organization representatives from across Auckland on Friday, Prime Minister Helen Clark said today.

“The Labour- Alliance Government seeks to work closely with the community sector on a number of fronts. The forum on Friday is an opportunity to continue our dialogue on the best way to work together in partnership.

“The ministers who will attend the Forum with me are:
- Steve Maharey, Minister of Social Services and Employment and Minister Responsible for the Community and Voluntary Sector
- Parekura Horomia, Minister of Maori Affairs
- Laila Harré, Minister of Youth Affairs
- Mark Gosche, Minister of Pacific Island Affairs
- Lianne Dalziel, Minister of Immigration
- Ruth Dyson, Minister for Disability issues.

“Approximately 120 people from community organizations across Auckland have been personally invited to attend the forum. Ministers will participate in workshop sessions on social inclusion and social development; education, employment and community enterprise; immigration, refugee and migrant issues; children and young people; building healthy communities; and community renewal.

“The Auckland Social Development Forum is being hosted by Mayor Bob Harvey and the Waitakere City Council and has been coordinated by the Ministry of Social Development,” Helen Clark said.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>