HALL BELIEVES NEWCASTLE IS A CITY FOR PEACE

Newcastle Euro-MP Fiona Hall has written to the Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor David Wood, to express support for the Newcastle City for Peace initiative, the aim of which is to achieve understanding and respect for all Newcastle's people and communities.

The initiative hopes to make vulnerable people in Newcastle - particularly those that are disadvantaged or discriminated against in the local community feel safer, by taking action through local organisations and individuals to combat exclusion.

Fiona feels confident that Newcastle City for Peace, formally launched on the 10th July 2008, will be a great success. In her letter to the Mayor, Fiona said that Newcastle has grown and prospered as a city 'because people have wanted to come and live here', and that is what makes the city special.

Building on Newcastle's reputation for being friendly and welcoming, Fiona hopes that the initiative will encourage communities within the city to get to know each other better, to build respect between people, and overcome prejudice in the North East.

Fiona said: "As a Member of the European Parliament for Newcastle, I am here to represent all the people living in Newcastle, whatever their age, nationality, mother tongue or religion.

"That is why I am delighted to support the Newcastle City for Peace initiative, which I hope will encourage a better understanding of the different cultures and people who think of Newcastle as their home."