Sustainable Development Strategy - public consultation: everyone's involved. Consultation Paper by Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM). Response of the Landscape INstitute NOrthern Ireland branch (LINI).

A vision for the successful and valuable progression of both society and environment inNorthern Ireland. LINI requests that the Vision Statement for Sustainable Development in Northern Ireland this is more concisely framed specific to the parameters of sustainable development. LINI advises that environment (the ‘natural’ land) in the presence of society (man) leads to the creation of our landscape, our lifestyle, and our identity. The identity (quality, value, durability and sustainability) of that lifestyle (and landscape) depends on the manner of integration between environment and society, and for the success of both, it is not possible to consider them in separation. Therefore, LINI suggests that the Vision Statement for the Enabling Strategy must be for the successful and valuable progression of both society and environment in Northern Ireland. LINI advises that to seek for this society to be peaceful, fair and prosperous is actually outwith the remit of an enabling document for sustainable development.The following statement should be forefront: ‘We are making a commitment to, and setting anagenda for, an open and participatory environment in which everyone can [we hope ‘will’]contribute to the achievement of our collective ambitions’[ … for the successful and valuableprogression of both society and environment in Northern Ireland]. That the outcome isSHARED is an important precept.