REPRESENTATIVES of trade unions and community groups can be invited to address the Northern Ireland forum following a motion passed yesterday.
The motion was tabled by Ms Monica McWilliams of the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition.
A DUP amendment stipulating that "suitable" individuals be invited "occasionally" was accepted.
After the debate, Ms McWilliams said there had been no objections on the basis that it would allow nationalist community workers to address the forum.
"What we're going to have to do is work strategically to ensure that we have nominations for representatives who wouldn't be the first choice of the main unionist parties."
Ms McWilliams said such individuals would be invited to address the Friday plenary sessions of the forum. The invitations would be made through the forum's business committee.
Some of the delegates objected and suggested ministers and security officials be invited instead.
