A “tireless advocate for public health” in Belfast has been praised as she prepares to step down after 30 years.
Belfast was first designated as a “healthy city” in the World Health Organization’s European Network 35 years ago, with Joan Devlin taking on the role of Chief Executive of Belfast Healthy Cities (BHC) five years later.
On two occasions, Belfast hosted the European wide Healthy Cities Conference and Ms Devlin has helped to champion a range of issues from health inequality, health literacy, healthy kids spaces and making Belfast a more walkable city.
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Belfast Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy commented: “She has been a tireless advocate for public health and for ensuring that Belfast takes its place right in the centre of the discussion of how to make Belfast a healthier city for everyone.
Ms Devlin said it had been a “privilege” to represent the city.
“Belfast has been transformed since 1988 when we were established but there is still some distance to travel to eradicate health inequality and to make our city a healthy and sustainable place to live, work and visit,” she said.
“My small team of colleagues will carry on that work in the professional and dedicated manner they always have and I wish my successor every success. I may be stepping back from the day to day role, but I will always have the interests of Belfast and the impact of health policy at heart.”
