Martin O’Brien
@mobrienbelfast.bsky.social
Human rights activist and former philanthropoid. Director of @SCI-Belfast.bsky.social. Views are my own.
Important read here. www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Liam Herrick: Why has Ireland abruptly decided the European Convention on Human Rights goes too far?
Precedent could have far-reaching consequences. Who is to say the rights of gay citizens won’t be the next target by a coalition of hostile states?
irishtimes.com
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.
🤝 Delighted to see our partners @sci-belfast.bsky.social using findings from our work on the World Values Survey to engage community leaders in Northern Ireland in conversations on attitudes, values and how to tackle division in the country ➡️ www.socialchangeinitiative.com/values-lesso...
Maynooth looking pretty special this week. Some stunning trees.
Great to be back again in South Africa to mark 10 years of the Constitutionalism Fund an initiative of @atlantic, @FordFoundation & @OpenSociety. $29m of grant awards made to advance the realisation of the rights provided for in the South African Constitution
Great to see former @sci-belfast.bsky.social intern Allison Tate being included among this prestigious group of young leaders.
The Obama Foundation@obamafoundation.bsky.social · last yr.🚀 Meet the 4th class of Obama-Chesky Voyagers! 100 young leaders tackling big issues. Launched by @barackobama.bsky.social, Mrs. Obama, and Airbnb Co-Founder and CEO Brian Chesky, this scholarship fuels the next generation of public service leaders. 🌍 www.obama.org/programs/voy...
Powerful speech from Mary Robinson on the “unconscionable” situation in Gaza. youtu.be/DIvzIEP-OUg
Former Irish President Delivers Keynote Address at UN Conference on Israel-Palestine | AQ1G
YouTube video by DRM News
youtu.be
Irish lawyer, Michael Farrell, quits Council of Europe rights body over silence on Gaza | Irish Legal News www.irishlegal.com/articles/iri...
Irish lawyer quits European rights body over silence on Gaza
Ireland's long-standing representative on a Council of Europe human rights body has resigned over its failure to speak out on Gaza. Human rights lawyer Michael Farrell has been a member of the Europea...
irishlegal.com
Important job opportunity here to lead one of Ireland’s most effective change making organisations. Well worth a look.
Trócaire@trocaire.bsky.social · last yr.CEO Recruitment: Trócaire are inviting applications for the position of Chief Executive Officer. The CEO of Trócaire leads the organisation, ensuring excellence in all aspects of the organisation’s work. For further information, and to apply, please visit: apply.workable.com/trocaire/j/7...
Hanny was in Belfast for an SCI Board meeting, and we’re delighted he made time to share his insights and expertise on the current situation in Syria with some of our local network of changemakers.
This morning, we welcomed guests for a briefing on the situation in Syria with Hanny Megally, member of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria and SCI Board member.
Important piece here. Worth a read.
Donncha O’Connell@donnchalaw.bsky.social · last yr.Today, as the process for appointing a new Garda Commissioner is under way, I have an opinion piece in The Irish Times about the controversy-crisis cycle in policing, ‘copaganda’ and the need for vigilance on policing culture… www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...
Council of Europe rejects political pressure from nine states on European Court of Human Rights www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...
Council of Europe rejects political pressure on ECHR in Meloni reply
Council of Europe Secretary Alain Berset defends the independence of the European Court of Human Rights, emphasizing the importance of preserving its impartiality amid ongoing debates on migration. #E...
euronews.com
Might be worth noting that this recommendation to place an exceptional non-jury court on a permanent footing was made by four members of a six-member review group with two members dissenting. Minority report available here: oasareview.ie/wp-content/upl…
oasareview.ie
Jennifer Bray@jenniferbray.bsky.social · last yr.New: Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan set to overhaul special criminal court - he will tell Cabinet that he accepts in principle the recommendations of a government- appointed review to replace special criminal court with standing non jury court www.thetimes.com/world/irelan...
Delighted to see this really important work by Dermot Devlin @mywayaccess.bsky.social supported by @BrianPelan from @VIEWdigital. Hope it leads to some much needed change.
Social Change Initiative@sci-belfast.bsky.social · 2y agoCongratulations to Dermot Devlin @mywayaccess.bsky.social on the launch of his report on the severe lack of wheelchair-accessible taxis in Northern Ireland. 👏 Read the full report👉 viewdigital.org/report-into-...
Communities in Northern Ireland are becoming more diverse, with residents bringing new cultures and lived experiences that go beyond the traditional. At SCI, we see this as an exciting opportunity to build new, inclusive forms of activism. (1/3)
Important new report. Well worth a read.
Conor J. Kelly@conorjkelly.bsky.social · 2y ago1) NEW REPORT 🚨 'Reform of Stormont: Options for Discussion' was published by the @conunitucl.bsky.social today! Co-authored by @alanrenwick.bsky.social, @alanwhysall.bsky.social, and myself. It is free to read here: www.ucl.ac.uk/constitution...
Great interview from Liam Herrick Chief Commissioner of @ihrec.bsky.social on Ireland's legal obligations to asylum seekers. www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
IHREC on how the state is treating migrants
Niall Collins, Minister of State at the Department of Justice; Claire Kerrane, Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon–Galway; Peadar Tóibín, Aontú leader; Liam Herrick, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Right...
rte.ie
In December 2024, @deepaiyer.bsky.social and @bulldogshadow.bsky.social explored the impact of the US election on democracy and human rights worldwide in an online conversation hosted by SCI. This takeaway is just one of many. Read more 👉 www.socialchangeinitiative.com/cultivating-...
Our Participatory Journalism Fellowship supports independent storytellers who are highlighting underrepresented voices and shedding light on overlooked issues. They explore a range of social, economic, and political topics, offering diverse perspectives on key challenges.
Today, we’re hosting our Participatory Journalism fellows for a day of sharing, learning, and collaboration. They will be able to present their work, exchange ideas, and support each other in shaping their stories.
To learn more about our journalism fellows and their projects, visit 👉 socialchangeinitiative.com/team. @brianone.bsky.social @shaunacorr.bsky.social @mobrienbelfast.bsky.social
Our Team | Social Change Initiative
socialchangeinitiative.com
Delighted to be supporting this important Community Foundation NI conference on Building Solidarity & Tackling Racism with NICVA & Africa House.
Improved legislation & measures to tackle racism are needed & important but we must also focus on moving beyond “emotional solidarity” to deliver more “practical & strategic solidarity” with people of colour - says Dr Nazia Latif @CFNIreland Building Solidarity conference
We are hiring an Administrator & Events Coordinator. For full job details, visit 👉http://socialchangeinitiative.com/vacancies
