The South East Network which is made up of the Pearse Street, City Quay Parish and Ringsend Irishtown Network Group has employed Alan Curtis as co-ordinator of the network.

Hailing originally from Finglas, he is presently living in Lucan. Alan has a strong background in community development work, beginning with his involvement in voluntary work in Coolock way back in 1985 where he was involved in setting up the Northside Centre for the Unemployed and was involved in the management of the Coolock Community Law Centre. He was funded by the Combat Poverty Agency to undergo a two year course in Maynooth College, Diploma in Community and Youth Work, and has recently been conferred with a Certificate in Voluntary Sector Management by Dublin City University.

In his capacity as a community and youth worker Alan has also worked in Ballyfermot, Ballymun, Stoneybatter, Athy (Co. Kildare) and now the South East Inner City.
His first task is to get to know the physical area and to meet as many individuals and groups as possible so that he can become aware of the issues and concerns facing both communities.

Because this is a new initiative in our area, Alan said it is important that we try to get it right from the start. But, what is a network, how can we get involved and what benefit will it be to our community?
A network consists of a web of links between individuals, groups and organis- ations for the mutual benefit of those involved. The formal and informal links made between people provide a way in which people gain access to ideas, information, resources and expertise which would not normally be directly available to them.

It is important to remember that when you are part of a network you don't "lose" your chosen identity, your different interests or your allegiance to your own organisation. A network is an alliance of different individuals and organisations working for the positive development of the community.

It is widely acknowledged that networks are an investment in future develop- ments, even though these may not be planned or even thought about yet, because of the common knowledge, skills, experience, resources and contacts a network can have.

The South East Network is part funded by FÁS and the Dublin Inner City Partnership and is made up of two loose networks called Ringsend and Irishtown Networking Group (RING) and Area Representative Group Dublin 2 (ARGD2). These groups will be formalised and structured by those involved over the coming months. It is hoped to develop issue based groups in each network. For example, these could be on: Youth needs, Traffic, Training, Education, etc.. However, the number of issue groups and their strength depends on your involvement.