NUS-USI is excited to announce “Our Future Forums,” a series of stakeholder networking events for business and community organisations. These events present an excellent opportunity for cross-sectoral discussion on the third-level education and skills agenda.
After a year filled with questions over budget cuts and political instability, it has never been more important that businesses and community organisations come together and engage in collective dialogue to drive positive change across Northern Ireland.
If our society is to flourish, it must be underpinned by a fulfilling, accessible and lifelong education system. It's imperative upon all of us to work collectively to meet our growing skills needs, and to create opportunities for personal fulfilment and socio-economic progress.
That’s why NUS-USI, the national students’ union in Northern Ireland, has set up the “Our Future Forums” event series, as a free networking space for those across different sectors and businesses to create new connections, share ideas and gain valuable insights to context on the ground.
Across two days, we invite you to join us for four wide-ranging sessions, delving into lifelong access to skills development and education, preparing for a Just Transition, alleviating poverty and the role education has in our economy.
These are open to any individual or organisation that would like an opportunity to connect on these topics with others — you're welcome to register for one, or all four, it’s up to you! Wherever you feel like your interests and priorities lie, there will be a cup of tea and lots of chats!
Our Future Forums
Forum One | “Our Future: Inclusive Education as a tool for socio-economic empowerment”
- Date: Tuesday 6th February
- Time: 10am-11:45am
- Location: Event Space, Ormeau Baths
Education holds power. The power to change lives for the better — whether that is lifting someone from poverty or creating space for them to determine who they want to be. Accessing this right to learn allows both social and economic progress.
This networking session aims to bring together individuals and organisations who believe they could have a role in creating an accessible, inclusive and wellbeing-driven education system.
Forum Two | “Our Future: Youth Voice and Lifelong education”
- Date: Tuesday 6th February
- Time: 2pm-3:45pm
- Location: Event Space, Ormeau Baths
If you're an advocates of lifelong learning or you're passionate about youth voice, this session is for you! Join us for an engaging session delving into secondary education, lifelong learning, and the ever-evolving skills and reskilling agenda.
In this forum, we'll explore how the voices of our youth can shape the future of education, ensuring it remains relevant and accessible throughout their lives. From innovative learning approaches to adapting to the evolving demands of the workforce, let's discuss the strategies and initiatives that will empower the next generation.
Whether you're in education, business, or a community organization, your insights are valuable. Come share your ideas, connect with like-minded individuals, and be part of the conversation and help shape the path towards a brighter, more inclusive future for students.
Forum Three | “Our Future: Growing the Skills of our Future Workforce”
- Date: Thursday 8th February
- Time: 10am-11:45am
- Location: Event Space, Ormeau Baths
This networking and space will be an opportunity for those interested in progressing Northern Ireland’s skills agenda, creating opportunity for learning and exploring how cross-sectoral collaboration can create an accessible and economically successful NI.
Whether in the business and community sectors, or an education provider, this will also provide opportunity to engage with the agenda and reflections from the current learners of Northern Ireland.
Forum Four | “Our Future: Preparing for a Just Transition, sustainable and eco-friendly learning”
- Date: Thursday 8th February
- Time: 2pm-3:45pm
- Location: Event Space, Ormeau Baths
A cross-sectoral approach is critical to address issues surrounding sustainability and eco-justice within Northern Ireland’s educational landscape and skills agenda. This networking session invites individuals and organisations committed to developing eco-friendly learning solutions to come together to share ideas and solutions.
In Forum Four, we will discuss concepts and strategies, to ensure our education system can be delivered in alignment with the critical challenges our planet faces.
Whether you work in the education sector, environment and sustainability, or are part of an organisation dedicated to eco-justice, your participation is invaluable.
Got a question?
More information will be provided on these events in the New Year, but if you have a question in the meantime, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
You can reach our team on: [email protected]
