visionnetwork NZ Christian Network was invited to a national forum in Wellington on November 11 hosted by the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector, Tariana Turia, to look at ways to strengthen ties between the Government and the community and voluntary sector (CVS). Church and Christian organisations make up a significant part of the CVS in New Zealand.

Minister Turia said earlier that the government is committed to strengthening its community relationships and would like to do this through an agreement with the sector by the end of next year.

"This is an opportunity to define the relationship that the sector and government wish to have, based on mutual respect and trust. It will focus government agencies' attention on areas where further effort is needed to strengthen relationships to achieve common goals," Mrs Turia said.

The government is also considering the development of:
• a set of principles to guide effective community engagement,
• a code of practice to guide government agencies when funding community organisations,
• regionally delivered seminars on good practice in community engagement.

The forum was also attended by a number of other ministers, including Prime Minster John Key, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett, and Housing Minister Phil Heatley.

More on the forum will be posted in the next few days.

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