We collaborate with activists, policy makers and funders to deliver lasting social change. We are also on Bluesky - @ https://xitter.cf/t.co/h6rQfffrWI.
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Joined August 2016
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Over the past two years, SCI has been using data from the World Values Survey to conduct values-led workshops with diverse groups and communities across Northern Ireland.
Findings from these gatherings are now available in our Lessons Learned report – from how data can transform difficult conversations to young people's appetite for dialogue about difference and the role of narrative strategies in peacebuilding.
Discover how a values-led approach is opening new pathways for community dialogue. Read the full report: socialchangeinitiative.com/v…
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Northern Ireland is changing, and diverse voices must be at the forefront of social change.
SCI's Black Activist Leadership Initiative supports people of African origin and descent to connect, share strategies, build leadership and strengthen their collective impact. Through learning, collaboration and solidarity, the initiative helps amplify voices working for equality and justice.
🔗 To learn more, click here: socialchangeinitiative.com/s…
Our report with @qubhrc and @UMHumanRights examines how the UK government has attempted to walk back commitments made to ensure Brexit wouldn't diminish Good Friday Agreement rights and equality protections.
The government challenged a NI Court of Appeal judgment that used these commitments to disapply parts of the controversial Legacy Act. While a Supreme Court ruling would typically be final, the Brexit arrangements include international enforcement mechanisms that could ultimately have the final say.
We've created a short animation to break down the key issues. ▶️
This case highlights how international safeguards may prove crucial in protecting rights in Northern Ireland - even when domestic courts have spoken.
🔗 Read the full report: socialchangeinitiative.com/h…
To all those dedicated to building a better world - thank you for your continued commitment this year. In times of challenge, it's the connections we build, the communities we support and the solidarity we share that sustain our work and give us hope.
Wishing you rest, renewal and moments of joy this holiday season from all of us at Social Change Initiative.
We are delighted to be hosting our friend Eric Ward for a series of conversations with changemakers across Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Since arriving, Eric, Executive Vice President of @RaceForward and one of America's leading voices on civil rights and countering authoritarianism, has been engaging with communities across the region. Among many conversations, Eric:
✅ Met with Black activists and ethnic minority leaders
✅ Spoke at a convening on tackling hate and violent extremism
✅ Spent time with community grassroots leaders
✅ Had lunch with women from the @FallsWomens
✅ Spoke with school leaders and young people at St Dominic's Grammar about US politics and the rise of authoritarianism (hosted by @politicsinacti1)
✅ Provided a masterclass on narrative to leading civil society leaders
💡 Key messages from Eric:
Small acts of resistance are more powerful than we think. In a climate of disinformation and fear, it's everyday actions that hold communities together: a quiet warning, a neighbour stepping in, a teacher creating space for honest questions, a young person refusing to look away.
Much of the backlash we see is a response to progress won over generations – progress that can feel threatening to those who benefit from division. Resistance is the ongoing choice to stand by one another and keep showing up.
The stories we tell about who belongs and who is valued shape this moment as much as policy. Reclaiming those stories with fairness and dignity is how communities build resilience.
Thank you to everyone who has taken part. Conversations continue across the island, and we look forward to sharing more soon.
ALT Eric K. Ward speaking to a large seated audience in a UNISON meeting room, standing at a blue podium with attendees taking notes.
ALT Eric K. Ward addressing a seated audience from a podium in a meeting room with arched windows visible in the background during early evening.
ALT Group photo of six people standing together in an office lobby, including Eric K. Ward (second from left) with Black activists and ethnic minority leaders.
ALT Group of nine people, including Eric K. Ward (third from right), standing together around a small table at a UNISON office meeting space with blue branding visible in the background.
Social Change Initiative retweeted
Important read here. irishtimes.com/opinion/2025/…
Congratulations to Louise and Charmain @nirwnnews on the continued success of their report. 👏
We’re delighted to see their research reaching wider audiences and gaining the attention it deserves.
Read the full report here 👉socialchangeinitiative.com/t…
@CharmainNIRWN and I back in Belfast this morning; presenting a lecture to @UlsterUni LLM Gender & Human Rights students on our Icelandic Research Report.
We left feeling that the future will be in safe hands.
Thank you to @C_Fitz_ for inviting us & always to @SCI_Belfast
Social Change Initiative retweeted
Important new report here. Well worth a look.
🚨NEW Pivotal Briefing looks at the challenges and opportunities facing the Northern Ireland Executive as it considers its upcoming multi-year budget
Read the Briefing here pivotalpolicy.org/assets/fil…
Today, we stand with people, groups and communities worldwide who are working for dignity, equality and justice. 🌍 🕊️
This year’s World Human Rights Day theme, Our Everyday Essentials, reminds us that human rights are not abstract principles - they are the foundations of daily life. They shape our safety, our freedom, our ability to speak, participate and belong.
Human rights are not just something we defend in moments of crisis. They are the basis for building fairer, more inclusive and more peaceful communities for all.
#HumanRightsDay #OurEverydayEssentials
In a time of turbulence and uncertainty, Human Rights Day is a reminder that human rights remain a winning proposition for humanity.
This campaign invites people to reconnect with human rights as lived realities. They are in the food we eat, the air we breathe, the words we speak, the opportunities we pursue or the protections that keep us safe.
Human rights are positive. They bring dignity and joy into daily life.
Human rights are essential. They are the common ground that connects across differences.
Human rights are attainable. They begin with everyday choices and grow through collective action.
Too often taken for granted or seen as abstract ideas, human rights are the essentials we rely on everyday. #HumanRightsDay #OurEverydayRights
Social Change Initiative retweeted
“Small acts of resistance are more powerful than we think.” Eric K. Ward
ALT Eric K. Ward speaking at the ‘Tackling Hate and Violent Extremism’ event to an attentive audience at the UNISON offices.
🌍 Social Change Initiative's Latest Newsletter 🌍
Grounding Social Change in Shared Values – our newest issue explores how we can build movements and drive meaningful transformation by focusing our work on principles that unite rather than divide us.
In this edition, we examine the power of shared values in creating lasting social change and offer practical insights for activists, organisers and changemakers.
🔗 Read and subscribe: mailchi.mp/socialchangeiniti…
We’re at the @UNISONNI offices for our event ‘Tackling Hate and Violent Extremism - Insights from the United States.’
We invited local changemakers to hear from American Civil Rights Organiser and Executive VP of @RaceForward Eric K. Ward, who is sharing reflections and learnings from the US context.
Following up, we’ll have a panel with local activists who will discuss the NI response.
Thank you to all colleagues that are joining us today - this is an important conversation aimed at sharing knowledge and building collective responses as hate and extremism continue to rise in NI and beyond.
ALT Image shows Eric K. Ward speaking beside a screen with the words ‘Keynote - Countering Polarisation, Racism and Extremism: US Perspective’
Yesterday we attended the launch of @JRF_UK's new report on poverty in Northern Ireland.
The report highlights the scale of the challenge and the urgent need for action, with clear evidence that structural barriers are preventing too many people from affording life’s essentials.
An important piece of work with a clear message: change is possible, but only if political leaders act now. From childcare to rural inequality, we can’t afford to wait.
We’re proud to support JRF’s anti-poverty work and look forward to keep working together in this crucial cause.
➡ Full report: jrf.org.uk/poverty-in-northe…
ALT A split-screen design featuring the title ‘Poverty in Northern Ireland 2025’ on a dark blue background, with navigation tags reading ‘Report’, ‘Child Poverty’, ‘Work’, ‘Social Security’, and ‘Care’. Below the title is a short description about stalled progress on reducing child poverty. On the right side, against a light background, is an illustrative collage showing a young girl with red hair crouching down to touch the ground, layered over images of Northern Irish terraced houses, mountains, and a blue sky, encircled by abstract line art.
We’re excited to share that the Social Change Initiative is now on Instagram! 🤳 🌍
🔗 instagram.com/SCIBelfast
Follow us to stay connected with our work supporting social change in Northern Ireland and around the world. From peacebuilding and human rights to global solidarity and strategic collaboration, we’re here to highlight the ideas and people driving meaningful change.
We are also on Bluesky, LinkedIn and Facebook - join our community and follow along for updates, insights, opportunities and stories from changemakers everywhere.
ALT Graphic titled ‘Follow us’ featuring two speech bubble icons. Below are social media platforms and handles for the Social Change Initiative: Instagram @SCIBelfast (labelled ‘NEW’), Bluesky @SCI-Belfast.bsky.social, LinkedIn – Social Change Initiative, X (Former Twitter) @SCI_Belfast, and Facebook – Social Change Initiative.
25 years after UN Resolution 1325, Northern Ireland still struggles with gender inequality. Women remain underrepresented in decision-making and the region ranks among Europe's most dangerous for women.
Iceland - a small island nation with clear parallels to NI - has led the world in gender equality for 15 consecutive years. How did they do it? A new report by Charmain JONES and Louise Coyle from @nirwnnews examines exactly that. Lasting peace requires an intentional plan to embed gender equality at all levels of society.
🔗 Read the report: socialchangeinitiative.com/t…
ALT Promotional graphic for a report titled 'A changed society: The Future of Gender Equality in Northern Ireland' by Charmain Jones and Louise Coyle. Website URL displayed at bottom: socialchangeinitiative.com/the-future-of-gender-equality-in-northern-ireland
Over the past two years, SCI has been using data from the World Values Survey to conduct values-led workshops with diverse groups and communities across Northern Ireland.
Findings from these gatherings are now available in our Lessons Learned report – from how data can transform difficult conversations to young people's appetite for dialogue about difference and the role of narrative strategies in peacebuilding.
Discover how a values-led approach is opening new pathways for community dialogue. Read the full report: socialchangeinitiative.com/v…
Social Change Initiative retweeted
🧱 Borders are worshipped like gods, protected by walls, laws and technology. Rooted in #racism, supremacy and colonisation, they decide who belongs and who is cast out. BORDER GOD: launching on 24 Nov, 3–4:30pm UK time 👉
bit.ly/4nUin8i
Recently we hosted 'Tackling Hate & Violent Extremism – What Works?' – an event that brought together practitioners, policymakers and community leaders from across Britain, Ireland and Northern Ireland to discuss practical strategies for countering rising hate and violent extremism.
▶️ In the lead-up to the event, we spoke with one of our guests, Joe Mulhall from @hopenothate. He shared his impressions from meeting with local NI activists and discussed the work HOPE not hate is doing on the ground.
🔗 Read the full article and watch Joe's video here: socialchangeinitiative.com/t…
Last week we welcomed 28 Community and Youth Work students from @MaynoothUni. SCI's Director, @MartinOBrien17, was delighted to meet them and talk about working for social change and the current situation in Belfast.
