The Catholic Women’s League of the Wellington Catholic Archdiocese congratulates Gregory Fortuin on his appointment as Race Relations Conciliator, said Archdiocesan President Susan Lloyd today. “We were thrilled to hear the news and we think New Zealand will be well served by Mr Fortuin in this role” she said.

Mrs Lloyd said Mr Fortuin was one of a panel who addressed the annual conference of the Archdiocesan CWL in Wellington last weekend.

The focus of the discussion was youth suicide. Panellists included
Mr Fortuin and Thelma French of the Youth Suicide Prevention Trust and the Yellow Ribbon Campaign, David Hanna of the Ministry of Youth Affairs representing the government, and Nic Mason of Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand.

The 160 conference attendees heard impassioned presentations from all four speakers, followed by a question and answer session and discussion on practical ways to help.

These included assistance with family support groups, local networking, parent education initiatives, and lobbying the Government for an increased co-ordination of current efforts and New Zealand-wide coverage in addressing the issue of youth suicide.

A collection totalling $654 for the Yellow Ribbon campaign was taken up from the delegates.

Mrs Lloyd said that the Archdiocesan Council hopes to make representations to Government Ministers in the near future.

Susan Lloyd
President, Wellington Archdiocesan CWL

5 April 2001

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