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sci-belfast.bsky.social
Social Change Initiative
@sci-belfast.bsky.social
450 followers 590 following 150 posts
We collaborate with activists, policy makers and funders to deliver lasting social change.

socialchangeinitiative.com
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sci-belfast.bsky.social
Discover how a values-led approach is opening new pathways for community dialogue. Read our World Values Survey - Lessons Learned report: buff.ly/MzRjIkw
November 24, 2025 at 10:42 AM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
Last week we welcomed 28 Community and Youth Work students from Maynooth University. SCI's Director, Martin O'Brien, was delighted to meet them and talk about working for social change and the current situation in Belfast.
November 17, 2025 at 3:17 PM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
Following our event 'Tackling Hate & Violent Extremism – What Works?', we're continuing to share insights from a conversation with Joe Mulhall from @hopenothate.org.uk on the work being done to counter hate and violent extremism. ▶️

🔗 Full article: buff.ly/GSqSHZx
October 14, 2025 at 11:18 AM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
Last week we published a new report outlining attempts by the UK government to undo commitments it made to ensure that Brexit wouldn’t lead to any diminution in GFA rights and equality protections. To make the key points easier to follow, we’ve put together a short animation you can watch below. ▶️
October 1, 2025 at 12:26 PM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
The UK government appears to be trying to undo the commitment it made to ensure that Brexit would not lead to any diminution of Belfast-Good Friday Agreement rights.
The image shows the cover of the report titled 'Human Rights and Equality in Northern Ireland: International enforcement of Article 2 of the Windsor Framework - A guide for civil society and human rights organisations' dated August 2025. The right side of the image contains a quote in white text on a dark brown background stating: 'The Supreme Court decision will be very important, but even if the UK Government's arguments were to prevail in London, that would not necessarily be the end of the matter. There are international enforcement mechanisms available that could still hold the UK accountable for its commitments.'
September 23, 2025 at 8:30 AM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
A new study by Inter Alia co-funded by Social Change Initiative explores how Greek society has split into five distinct "tribes" with very different takes on democracy, immigration and identity.
🔗 Read it now 👉 socialchangeinitiative.com/hidden-tribes-mapping-social-perceptions-in-modern-greece
Social media post featuring the Social Change Initiative logo and promoting a new report titled "The Hidden Tribes." The main text reads "New report explores how different values and perspectives in Greek society shape democratic participation and political representation." The post includes a QR code and website URL (socialchangeinitiative.com/hidden-tribes-mapping-social-perceptions-in-modern-greece) for accessing the full report. On the right side is the report cover showing a stylized 3D geometric design with "HIDDEN TRIBES" text and subtitle "of a homogeneous society" along with Inter Alia and SCI logos.
September 22, 2025 at 9:01 AM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
Thank you to all our colleagues and partners who joined us – and a special thanks to the PPR Belfast Kind Economy for providing the catering.
September 18, 2025 at 2:17 PM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
Yesterday we welcomed over 80 guests from a diversity of sectors to our event 'Tackling Hate & Violent Extremism – What Works?', which brought together key voices in the fight against racism and violence in Britain, Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Image shows Joe Mulhall standing at a podium in a conference room, gesturing with one hand. On the screen is a bright yellow slide with the words “HOLD ON TO HOPE” and an illustration of a flower. Image shows Katy Allen from Act Now presenting her slides while speaking to Padraic Quirk from SCI. Image shows SCI's Director Martin O'Brien addressing the audience. Edel McGinley from Hope and Courage Collective presents at a podium in a conference room, next to a projected yellow slide titled “Reflections.” The slide contains bullet points about long-term strategy, storytelling, and collective action.
September 18, 2025 at 2:17 PM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
Changing the government's approach isn't easy, but it's essential for lasting impact. Our partnership with Northern Ireland's government showcases how philanthropy can drive meaningful reform. Check out the lessons learned 👉 socialchangeinitiative.com/making-chang...
How can philanthropy and government work together to transform public services? visit: socialchangeinitiative.com/making-change-with-government-page
September 8, 2025 at 9:23 AM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
Discover stories of change from around the world - featuring community action, peacebuilding and advocacy in places like South Africa, Kosovo and beyond 👉 socialchangeinitiative.com/Stories-of-Change
Graphic for Social Change Initiative’s “Stories of Change.” Text reads: “Insights from community action, peacebuilding and advocacy across the globe. socialchangeinitiative.com/stories-of-change.” On the right, there are black-and-white photos of six women featured on the page: Cristina Jiménez, Dolores Huerta, Avila Kilmurray, Edona Maloku and Zelda Holtzman.
September 3, 2025 at 11:52 AM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
The Good Friday Agreement recognised that protecting the human rights of everyone is central to securing and maintaining the peace.

To prevent Brexit from undermining these protections, Article 2 of the Windsor Framework committed the UK to ensure no diminution of the Good Friday Agreement rights.
This image shows the cover of a report titled "Human Rights and Equality in Northern Ireland: Article 2 of the Windsor Framework Reaches the Courts: What's at Stake?" dated September 2024. At the bottom of the cover are logos for the collaborating organisations: Queen's University Belfast Human Rights Centre, Donia Human Rights Center and Social Change Initiative (SCI).
August 29, 2025 at 9:37 AM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
At SCI we work to secure progressive social change so that communities become fairer, more inclusive and peaceful. Find out more about what we do, visit 👉 lnkd.in/dSZ35nSU
We collaborate with activists, policy makers and funders to deliver lasting social change. socialchangeinitiative.com
August 28, 2025 at 9:37 AM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
Last weekend, we hosted members of our Black Activist Leadership Initiative for another Residential aimed at encouraging knowledge exchange and discussions on how to build collective power and create systemic change in the fight against racism and discrimination.
Videographer Carl Whinnery films Sipho Sibanda (wearing red) and Tolulope Agbede (in light blue striped shirt) in a conference room. Professional lighting equipment is set up in the background. Videographer Carl Whinnery films Maureen Hamblin, who wears a vibrant traditional African dress with geometric patterns in red, yellow, and black. She stands confidently in front of the camera in the conference room. Group photo of 12 Black Activist Leadership Initiative participants standing together in the conference room. The diverse group includes men and women of various ages, with some wearing traditional African clothing and others in casual attire. Carl Whinnery films three participants seated at a round table with white tablecloth: Mandla Nkomagana (man in white shirt), Noma Tholo (woman in red floral top), and Rehab Mohamed (woman wearing hijab).
August 20, 2025 at 2:31 PM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
A new study by Inter Alia co-funded by Social Change Initiative explores how Greek society has split into five distinct "tribes" with very different takes on democracy, immigration and identity.

🔗 Read it now 👉 socialchangeinitiative.com/hidden-tribes-mapping-social-perceptions-in-modern-greece
Social media post featuring the Social Change Initiative logo and promoting a new report titled "The Hidden Tribes." The main text reads "New report explores how different values and perspectives in Greek society shape democratic participation and political representation." The post includes a QR code and website URL (socialchangeinitiative.com/hidden-tribes-mapping-social-perceptions-in-modern-greece) for accessing the full report. On the right side is the report cover showing a stylized 3D geometric design with "HIDDEN TRIBES" text and subtitle "of a homogeneous society" along with Inter Alia and SCI logos.
August 19, 2025 at 9:37 AM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
Peacebuilding is one of the core pillars at SCI and we understand that building sustainable peace requires ongoing commitment and innovative approaches.

Our Resources for Peacebuilding page offers practical tools, research and insights from our work here in NI and our global partnerships.
Black and white photograph of two hands reaching towards each other. The SCI (Social Change Initiative) logo appears in the top left corner, and the website URL 'socialchangeinitiative.com/resources-for-peacebuilding' is displayed at the bottom.
August 14, 2025 at 10:56 AM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
Working for Change in India, an In-Brief by SCI’s Avila Kilmurray, is based on the work of changemaker Martin Macwan. Born into a Dalit family, Martin has dedicated his activism to challenging the discrimination faced by 160 million people marginalised as “untouchables”.
Dark teal graphic with the Social Change Initiative logo at the top left. Large white text reads “Working for Change in India.” Below, smaller white text reads “Martin Macwan (edited by Avila Kilmurray).” Underneath, in bold mustard-yellow text, is the link “socialchangeinitiative.com/working-for-change-in-india.” On the right, two photographs: the top shows a young woman speaking to a seated group of men and women outdoors, some wearing colourful saris; the bottom shows three people holding symbolic props, including a large earthen pot, a plate, and a placard declaring a village “Untouchability Free” dated 15th August 2017.
August 12, 2025 at 11:41 AM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
Earlier this year we brough together changemakers from our local network to share and celebrate their work, reflect on challenges, and build meaningful connections.
Image show all participants in the room watching a panel with Teresa Buczkowska, Kate Barry and Shauna Corr. Image shows a group of activists from SCI's network sitting in a circle. Caption says 'Strengthening and Supporting Activism'.
August 6, 2025 at 10:27 AM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
Our Hardwiring Fairness Conference brought together guests from diverse backgrounds to explore how governments worldwide are using legislation to tackle inequalities and enhance wellbeing - and how these approaches could be applied in NI.

👉socialchangeinitiative.com/hardwiring-fairness-conference
July 31, 2025 at 10:18 AM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
SCI’s Narrative Change resource explores how storytelling can be harnessed for progressive change – offering lessons learned, practical tools, and strategies to reframe public conversations and counter fragmentation.

👉 socialchangeinitiative.com/narrative-change
Discover lessons and tools for activists to bring about progressive narrative change. socialchangeinitiative.com/narrative-change
July 28, 2025 at 7:45 AM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
Discover stories of change from around the world - featuring community action, peacebuilding and advocacy in places like South Africa, Kosovo and beyond 👉 socialchangeinitiative.com/Stories-of-Change
Graphic for Social Change Initiative’s “Stories of Change.” Text reads: “Insights from community action, peacebuilding and advocacy across the globe. socialchangeinitiative.com/stories-of-change.” On the right, there are black-and-white photos of six women featured on the page: Cristina Jiménez, Dolores Huerta, Avila Kilmurray, Edona Maloku and Zelda Holtzman.
July 23, 2025 at 10:51 AM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
Explore the 'Resources for Change' section on our website, offering a diverse toolkit for activists and funders on topics like tackling extremism, narrative change, strategic litigation, campaigning, peacebuilding, among others 👉 socialchangeinitiative.com/resources-for-change
Discover key resources to support activists and funders in driving positive change. socialchangeinitiative.com/resources-for-change
July 21, 2025 at 10:07 AM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
Northern Ireland is changing, and we need diverse voices leading the way. The Social Change Initiative's Black Activist Leadership Initiative brings together people of African origin and descent to connect, share strategies, and amplify their impact to bring social change. 👉 buff.ly/w5IWdBO
July 16, 2025 at 10:31 AM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
Our Resources for Peacebuilding' page offers insights from diverse peace initiatives worldwide - discover lessons on conflict transformation, grassroots efforts, and philanthropy's role in fostering reconciliation 👉 socialchangeinitiative.com/resources-for-peacebuilding.
Two hands clasped together symbolising unity and support, overlaid with geometric shapes and the Social Change Initiative (SCI) logo. Text at the bottom reads: socialchangeinitiative.com/resources-for-peacebuilding.
July 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
Changing the government's approach isn't easy, but it's essential for lasting impact. Our partnership with Northern Ireland's government showcases how philanthropy can drive meaningful reform.
Explore how philanthropy can support making change with government. socialchangeinitiative.com/making-change-with-government-page
July 9, 2025 at 12:45 PM
sci-belfast.bsky.social
Check out the latest issue of the Fordham International Law Journal featuring an essay by SCI's Director @mobrienbelfast.bsky.social and SCI's Board Member Maggie Beirne on the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement's human rights legacy.

📖 Read the full essay - www.fordhamilj.org/volume-48-is...
This image shows the cover of the Fordham International Law Journal, Volume 48, Issue 4. The journal is dedicated to Volume 22 and the Furthering of Human Rights in Ireland. The cover lists four academic articles: "Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: A Rights-Based Agenda for Advancing the Pillars of a Positive Peace" by Emma DeSouza "Holding Governments to Account?" by Thomas Hammarberg "The Good Friday/Belfast Agreement's Human Rights Promise—Fulfilled or Unfulfilled?" by Martin O'Brien & Maggie Beirne "That's One Small Sale for Man: On the Merits of American Unilateralism in the Evolution of International Space Law" by Sam Grossman
July 2, 2025 at 1:29 PM