The Convention on Modern Liberty

Presented by Amnesty International NI and Queen’s University Belfast, School of Law.

Modern Liberty Convention, Belfast

Venue: Room 212, Peter Froggatt Centre Queen’s

Belfast will be live-linked to the Convention on Modern Liberty, a major event taking place in London on Saturday 28 February 2009. The Belfast event is sponsored by Amnesty International and Queen’s University School of Law. The central event is being sponsored by Rowntree Foundation, openDemocracy, Liberty and The Guardian.

Belfast will join by live, big-screen, link, a plenary session in the morning with a panel of nationally distinguished speakers from across the political spectrum discussing ‘Citizens and the state: the crisis of liberty’.

Meanwhile, in Belfast, there will be two sets of four parallel sessions in the morning and afternoon, each focused on a different question relating to modern liberty and human rights in Northern Ireland, nationally or internationally. The panels are being sponsored and organised by a range of interested organisations and bring together activists, academics, politicians and others.

There will be a final plenary session live from London on ‘How do we secure modern liberty?’ with another great line-up of speakers. We hope to round off the day’s discussions with a drinks reception.

Tickets £12/£6 Student

Find out more here

Needs Assessment with Young Men and Those Who Work with Them in Relation to the Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy

The Southern Health and Social Services Board has commissioned the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health (NIAMH) to undertake a study on the needs of young males (14-19 years of age) and those who work with them in relation to the Protect Life Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy.

The aim of the research is to generate information that will inform a youth strategy on Protect Life that is informed by insider knowledge and insights. The methodology of the study is purely qualitative and consists of focus groups with service providers and young males. Members of the young men groups include those individuals most vulnerable to exclusion, intimidation and at risk of poor mental health, self-harm and suicide. We are also including male population from rural and urban settings.

The aim of the focus groups is to gather a range of perceptions about the same particular problems or issues. If the group discussion approach is not suitable to any individual that would like to participate, we intend to undertake individual interviews from young men who would prefer a more private setting to voice their views. These interviews will take place only once at a time and venue convenient to the participants. Both focus group and individual interviews will be audio-recorded and transcribed. If requested at individual interviews we will simply take notes. All the information obtained in this manner will be anonymised and treated with the utmost confidentiality.

If you would like to talk about the problems faced by you and other young gay men your age in your area, contact Janeet Rondón on 07870821167 (Mon to Fri/9:00am-5:00pm) or e-mail JaneetRondon@niamh.co.uk

We would particularly like to hear from young gay men from Dungannon, Armagh, Craigavon, Banbridge, and Newry.