Event

ActUpNI: campaigning, lobbying and dissent

NICVA

NICVA

Cost: Free

This half day event will focus on the role of the voluntary and community sector in affecting positive social change and providing an effective voice for the people we work with.

The event will also discuss NICVA’s new online campaigning platform for the voluntary and community sector,  ActUpNI.

Times are tough for people, families and communities across Northern Ireland.  Funding worries are plaguing the voluntary and community sector but we still have a lot to say about the issues impacting on the people we work with.

This conference will explore the role of voluntary and community organisations as advocates, lobbying forces and agents of change. From street protests to long term relationship building, we want to unpick what works best and when.

Aims of the event:

  • Inspire voluntary and community organisations to step up their advocacy, campaigning and dissenting role
  • Engender a sense of solidarity across voluntary and community organisations and encourage them to support each other’s campaigns
  • Explore the most effective and appropriate methods/tools for lobbying and advocacy
  • Showcase good practice in what can be achieved when citizens, organisations and groups of activists unite around issues.

The keynote address will be given by former South African activist and current Executive Director of Greenpeace - Kumi Naidoo.  There will be input from several successful local campaigns showcasing the important elements of advocacy and campaigning as well as an opportunity to discuss the issue with leading activists and MLAs.

Draft Agenda (subject to change)

09.30        “The Sector: Speaking up, Acting up” - Seamus McAleavey – NICVA Chief Executive 

10.00        “Why civil society must act up” - Kumi Naidoo – Executive Director of Greenpeace 

10.30         Questions

10.40        “A lifetime of acting up: the history of campaigning in NI” - Quintin Oliver  - Stratagem

11.00        Tea and coffee break

11.15        Case studies in effective advocacy

                  Collaboration: Duane Farrell-Older People’s Commissioner campaign 

                  Bravery: Margaret McGuckan-Survivors & Victims of Institutional Abuse

                  Determination: Organisation TBC               

11.45        Reflections from the floor 

12.00       What works in campaigning and advocacy: panel discussion with MLAs, activists 
                 and trade unionists

13.00        Lunch

 

Getting to the venue and parking

NICVA has a number of free parking spaces available for those attending events. Unfortunately these can't be reserved and are available on a first come basis. NICVA's spaces are clearly marked and we would ask that visitors only use spaces allocated to NICVA when attending an event.

Parking is also available on Duncairn Gardens and surrounding areas within close walking distance. NICVA is also a short walk from Yorkgate Train Station and you can easily catch a bus from the city centre (no 1D) direct to Duncairn Gardens, or (no 61 and 64) to Cityside Centre (a few minutes walk).


Date and Time

Location

NICVA
61 Duncairn Gardens
Belfast
BT15 2GB
United Kingdom

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Contact Details

Cathy Breslin