A major conference aimed at examining the racist violence of 2024 in Belfast and further afield will be held this week.
Building Solidarity – Understanding the political and societal context of racist violence in Northern Ireland has been organised by The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, Africa House, Northern Ireland Council on Voluntary Action (NICVA), and Social Change Initiative (SCI)
The event will take place in Belfast Castle on Thursday 30th and Friday 31st January 2025 at Belfast Castle to address the rise of xenophobia, racism, and Islamophobia in Northern Ireland.
The event, organised in response to the violent attacks that took place across the region in the summer of 2024, aims to foster a collective response from civil society, identify solutions, and discuss how to address the root causes of such violence.
Throughout the event, expert speakers will provide insights and panel discussions will allow participants to ask questions, share their experiences, and contribute to the ongoing conversation.
Róisín Wood, Chief Executive of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, emphasised the importance of this timely gathering:
“Racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia have no place in our society. The people of Northern Ireland have shown resilience and solidarity in the face of violence, but we must continue to stand together and condemn these hateful acts.
“This conference is a crucial step in identifying the root causes of violence, exploring policy changes, and sharing successful strategies for creating a more inclusive society. We must work together, as a united community, to address intolerance and hate and promote the values of respect and equality that bind us together.”
Avila Kilmurray from Social Change Initiative (SCI) said:
“We must continually identify and challenge the narratives that fuel fear and racism.
Baker Tilly Mooney Moore Director of Consulting Will Young has been appointed vising professor within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and based in the School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences at Ulster University. The former civil and public servant, appointed to his current role at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore in October 2024, will bring both practitioner expertise and experiential learning to the role, preparing students for the world of work, into which they will graduate.
Aside from his professional experience across Health and Social Care’s Leadership Centre, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and as Director of HR, People Services for the NI Civil Service, he will bring a wealth of experience in the design of third-level education, having initially worked with the Ulster University faculty when he was Course Director of the postgraduate Diploma in Health and Social Care Leadership programme at the Beeches Management Centre, now known as the HSC Leadership Centre. Here, his active engagement in curriculum design and assessment led to sector-leading innovations in work-based and applied learning.
Will continued his work with the faculty in his role as Assistant Head of the HSC Leadership Centre, as Assistant Chief Officer of People and Organisational Development within the PSNI and more recently as Director of HR People Services within the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
At all times, he has worked in partnership with Ulster University in developing and enhancing programmes that benefit employers, invest in people, and make a significant contribution to the public sector and the wider economy. Most recently, Will has been involved in leading the Northern Ireland Civil Service team responsible for the co-design of Ulster University’s prestigious Master of Public Administration (MPA) programme.
Having been recently appointed as Director of Consulting at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore, he continues to volunteer his expertise to the University, delivering lectures to undergraduate students with Dr Volkan Yilmaz and is co-convenor of the ‘Contemporary issues in public policy and public administration, delivered to the health and social care professionals’ MPA module along with Professor Paul Carmichael.
Will Young, Director of Consulting, Baker Tilly Mooney Moore said:
“I am deeply honoured and privileged to have been awarded Visiting Professor at Ulster University. This recognition is a testament to the meaningful collaboration I have had with the university over a number of years and its commitment to driving positive change through education, research, and thought leadership.
“I look forward to continuing this collaboration, working alongside the university’s outstanding faculty, staff, and students to contribute to shaping the leadership and public policy agenda. Together, we aim to address key societal challenges, foster innovation, and develop impactful solutions that can create a better future for all.
“This opportunity reinforces my belief in the transformative power of leadership and education. I am excited to engage with Ulster University’s vibrant academic community, share knowledge, and contribute to initiatives that promote excellence and drive positive societal change.”
Jennifer Hamilton, Head of School Applied Social and Policy Sciences, Ulster University said:
“We are delighted that Will has taken up this position and look forward to working with him in the future. Will has been very involved with a number of our programmes within the school, most recently the Master of Public Administration (MPA), and we believe his previous expertise in both leadership and policy will be of immense benefit to our students. We will be working with Will collaboratively to enhance our student learning and experience, build on our research profile and partnerships and engage his knowledge to help promote excellence within the School.”