{"id":3287,"date":"2018-12-13T10:54:04","date_gmt":"2018-12-13T10:54:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/alumni\/?p=3287"},"modified":"2023-03-22T13:02:17","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T13:02:17","slug":"kellie-beirne-cardiff-capital-region-city-deal-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/alumni\/2018\/12\/13\/kellie-beirne-cardiff-capital-region-city-deal-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Game Changers: Kellie Beirne (BA 1997, MSc 2003) \u2013 Cardiff Capital Region City Deal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kellie Beirne (BA 1997, MSc 2003) is Programme Director for the \u00a31billion Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, improving the Welsh capital\u2019s infrastructure.<\/p>\n

\"Kellie<\/a>
Kellie Beirne<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If I\u2019m going to make a difference anywhere, I want it to be in this amazing place: the city that I\u2019m from, and that I feel so passionately about.<\/p>\n

The Cardiff capital region<\/a> is home to more than 60% of the population of Wales but it also has some of the highest levels of poverty and deprivation. Why? Because our economy isn\u2019t doing as well as it should be and we have some deeply embedded social issues.<\/p>\n

This is against a backdrop of glorious landscapes, abundant natural resources, amazing people, and connected communities. We\u2019ve got real spirit and energy here and I want to do my best to help unleash that.<\/p>\n

The City Deal is about good economic growth; growth that does good and doesn\u2019t just try to hit targets. It\u2019s about developing an agile, flexible economy. If we can create the conditions whereby people are more self-sufficient and have better prospects, that\u2019s our best safeguard against injustice and inequality.<\/p>\n

\"Development<\/a>We want to create a city that is not just good for today, but great for tomorrow. The Welsh Government\u2019s Wellbeing of Future Generations<\/a> legislation means we\u2019ve got a fantastic opportunity to make a difference from way upstream; to consider the life chances of our kids and their kids; of people not even born yet.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve always been moved by inequality and injustice. I did my degree in Language and Communications because I believe understanding someone\u2019s intrinsic motivations is an important means of building strong relationships, and my proudest professional achievement is still the time I spent working in a homeless hostel when I first graduated.<\/p>\n

I later went into the housing sector because it\u2019s a pragmatic, collective means to address some of the fundamental issues around social injustice. Yes, it\u2019s just bricks and mortar \u2013 but it can help us to understand people\u2019s motivations, the challenges they face, and the opportunities they need.<\/p>\n

Those learnings are at the heart of the City Deal and are allied to the fundamental belief that every person that deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Whenever we can show compassion, it\u2019s our moral duty to do so. That\u2019s what I hope to achieve.<\/p>\n

Also in this series:<\/p>\n