The Centre for Democracy and Peace Building launches EU Debate NI
CDPB launches EU Debate NI
Following negotiations with EU members, the British Government has committed itself to holding a referendum on the question as to whether the UK should remain a member or leave the European Union. This referendum will take place before the end of 2017.
This referendum is of huge importance to the Northern Ireland.
Given the significance of the referendum, the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building (CDPB) is launching an “EU Debate NI” programme.
The EU Debate NI will examine the potential consequences, specifically for Northern Ireland, of the UK deciding to remain in or leave the European Union. It will stimulate, through stakeholder consultation and engagement, discussion of issues that should inform the debate.
The initial consultation will draw on a briefing paper developed in partnership with academic experts from Queen’s University Belfast and University College Cork. The paper sets out questions to be considered about the consequences of the outcome of this referendum for Northern Ireland. The questions cover political and constitutional issues, key policies such as free movement and agriculture, trade and funding.
Speaking at the launch at the Great Hall, Queen’s University Belfast, Chairman of CDPB Lord Alderdice said:
“In or Out; Yes or No; whatever the result, it will arguably impact more on Northern Ireland than any other part of these islands. And yet, until now the debate in Northern Ireland has been overshadowed by other concerns. Consent is the basis of democracy and we want the decision of the people of Northern Ireland – whatever it is – to be based on ‘informed consent’. That is why we want to encourage a serious community conversation about the EU Referendum.”
David Phinnemore, Professor of European Politics and Head of the School Politics, International Studies and Philosophy at Queen’s University Belfast added:
“The EU referendum will be hugely important for Northern Ireland economically, politically, possibly even constitutionally. It raises a range of issues that simply have not featured in the wider UK debate so far and which need to be thought through, discussed and debated well in advance of citizens casting their vote to remain in or leave the EU. Today’s event is a first in stimulating that much needed discussion and debate.”
Conor Houston, CDPB Programme Director said:
“The EU Referendum is one of the most important decisions in a generation for people in Northern Ireland. The consequences of both remaining in and leaving the EU will have an impact on the daily lives of all the people here. This is why it is of vital importance that we have collective debate and it is essential that this debate is informed. We want to have an inclusive debate which engages everyone in Northern Ireland and includes our views in the UK wide debate.”
For more information please visit www.eudebateni.org.
Towards A Better Future Conference Report
The Centre for Democracy and Peace Building and Belfast Policing and Community Safety Partnership have been working for some time with DoJ and OFMDFM and other regional statutory, community and voluntary organisations in tackling hate crime.
As part of this work it became clear there was a need for greater connection and alignment between central/local government and the front line work being undertaken to tackle hate crime.
Taking into consideration the ongoing concern about increasing levels of hate crime, it was felt that the “Towards a Better Future Conference 2015” could provide an opportunity to:
- Share learning from regional, national and international best practice
- Showcase local good practice to a wider audience
- Develop our understanding of the issue
- Explore the potential for a strategic framework to connect the work at all levels
With representatives from over 65 local, regional and national organisations, the “Towards a Better Future Conference 2015” generated two days of thought provoking, challenging and inspiring discussion. The conference format was specifically designed to connect communities with the issue of hate crime with conference sessions taking place in community venues across Belfast as well as the main conference session in Belfast City Hall.
DOWNLOAD CONFERENCE REPORT HERE: TBF Report 2015
Female Business Experts Mark Women’s Entrepreneurship Day With Special Mentoring Breakfast
TEN Northern Ireland female business experts will host a series of mentoring sessions this week to mark Women’s Entrepreneurship Day.
Hosted by the The Centre for Peace and Democracy and Ulster Bank at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast on Thursday November 19, the Business Breakfast is part of a series of global events.
Running across 144 countries worldwide Women’s Entrepreneurship Day celebrates the unwavering positivity women bring to the global economy, as well as empowering and supporting future generations.
Northern Ireland Ambassador for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day and CEO of The Centre for Peace & Democracy Eva Grosman said: “The breakfast event this Thursday will bring together influential business leaders, entrepreneurs, change-makers and social innovators to empower over 120 women in business and inspire the next generation across Northern Ireland.
Speakers at the event include media consultant Sarah Travers, Junior Ministers Emma Pengelly MLA and Jennifer McCann MLA, Shauna Burns from the Commercial Banking section at Ulster Bank and a special keynote address from a high profiled legal expert.
Shauna Burns, Head of Mid Ulster & Fermanagh Business Centre at Ulster Bank, said: “Ulster Bank is committed to supporting female entrepreneurship and this event has provided a welcome showcase for some best-in-class local businesses.
“I’d encourage anyone who has an idea to talk to us about how we can help turn their ambition into a reality. We have the people and the products in place to support women-led businesses across Northern Ireland and help to foster a culture of entrepreneurship – as we’ll see in the Women-Led Business Category at our upcoming Business Achievers Awards.”
Mentors who will be taking various sessions throughout the morning include Cathy Martin (PR and Fashion), Ellvena Graham (Banker), Jackie Henry (Accountant), Maeve Monaghan (Social Entrepreneur), Maria O’Loane (Lawyer), Nisha Tandon (Arts and Culture), Sarah Travers (Media), Suzanne Wylie (Public Sector), Sue McAllister (Prison Service) and Tina McKenzie (Business).
Find out more about Women’s Entrepreneurship Day on Thursday November 19 by logging on to www.womenseday.org, follow on Twitter @WomensEDay or join the conversation using the hashtag #WomenWOW
Belfast to mark the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day
Northern Ireland will join 144 countries across the globe to mark the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day on the 19th November 2015 as Eva Grosman, CDPB CEO has recently been appointed as NI Ambassador for this initiative.
Women’s Entrepreneurship Day celebrates the unwavering positivity women bring to the global economy, as well as empowering and supporting future generations.
To mark this occasion, The Centre for Peace and Democracy and Ulster Bank are hosting an exciting breakfast event which will bring together influential business leaders, entrepreneurs, change-makers and social innovators to empower women in business and inspire the next generation across Northern Ireland.
Following breakfast and networking at the impressive Lyric Theatre, an inspirational keynote address will be delivered by our special guest. There will be a unique opportunity to partake in our exciting ‘speed mentoring’ sessions, led by some of Northern Ireland’s most successful female leaders.
Guests will also be treated to the first screening of a specially commissioned video, which showcases talented female entrepreneurs from across Northern Ireland, sharing their advice and learnings.
There will also be an opportunity to find out more about some of the organisations who support women in business and female entrepreneurship across Northern Ireland.
Connecting us globally, inspiring us locally.
What: Women’s Entrepreneurship Day
When: 19th November 830am – 1030am
Where: Lyric Theatre, 55 Ridgeway St, Belfast, BT9 5FB
Book your tickets: https://getinvited.to/cdpb/wed/
CDPB launches EU Debate NI
In May 2015, the British Government committed itself to holding a referendum on the question as to whether the United Kingdom should remain a member of or leave the European Union, following negotiations which are currently taking place with other EU member states.
The referendum will take place before the end of 2017.
This referendum is of huge importance to the UK as a state and internationally.
The Centre for Democracy and Peace Building (CDPB) has initiated an EU Debate NI programme. It will be officially launched on 16 November 2015.
EU Debate NI will stimulate, through consultation and engagement with stakeholders, discussion of key issues that should inform debate about the consequences of the outcome of this referendum for Northern Ireland. The initial consultation will draw on a briefing paper being produced in cooperation with academic experts from Queen’s University Belfast.
EU Debate NI will carry out an examination of the possible effects of any decision to remain in or leave the EU on issues including: the Common Agricultural Policy, Structural Funding, the Environment, Peace Funding, free movement of capital, NI’s political influence in the EU, the free of movement of workers, migration, energy, higher education, employment rights, education and training, investment, trade, rights, cross-border cooperation, NI within the UK, the Common Fisheries Policy, free movement of services, relations between NI and Republic of Ireland and many other issues.
If you are interested in contributing to this EU Debate NI project or wish to find out more please contact Conor Houston at conor.houston@democracyandpeace.org
Website: www.eudebateni.org | E-mail: info@eudebateni.org | Twitter: @EUDebateNI
Conor Houston to lead the EU Debate NI as Programme Director
Conor Houston is joining the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building team as Programme Director for the “EU Debate NI”.
Conor is a lawyer, influencer, strategist, collaborator, innovator and active citizen.
He is a graduate of the School of Law at Queen’s University Belfast and obtained his masters in International Human Rights law before studying at the prestigious European Public Law Group Academy in Greece.
In his time as a lawyer he represented clients to the Supreme Court of both the UK and ROI and was involved in high profile and pioneering cases. He also represented his profession internationally and was the first lawyer from NI to serve on the Executive Board of the European Young Bar Association, which included speaking at a forum for young lawyers at the European Parliament and representing over 36 organisations across Europe. Conor was the youngest solicitor to be elected to serve on the Council of the Law Society of Northern Ireland.
Conor is a Fellow of the U.S. State Department Rule of Law programme and was UK National Leader in 2015 of Team UK at the Ship for World Young Leaders programme – an international leadership and cross-cultural exchange hosted by the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan. The Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University hosted a honorary guest lecture delivered by Conor in recognition of this achievement.
Conor is passionate about youth empowerment and has been involved in the establishment of groups and programmes to promote new models of leadership including Young Leaders NI and Young Influencers. He has spoken at a number of conferences and events, including the British Irish Association and was Event Manager at TEDxWomen hosted by CDPB at Stormont Castle in May 2015.