New economic masterclass series for voluntary and community organisations

The masterclasses will seek to provide attendees with current analyses of specific issues and provide innovative ways of examining and addressing topical issues. Each class will be taken by leading academics and practitioners from across the UK. They will be delivered in a participatory way and on the basis that ‘there is no such thing as a stupid question’. They will provide voluntary and community organisations with an excellent opportunity to develop their capacity and engage in contemporary economic policy debates. They will also provide a unique platform for discussion and exchanging ideas. 

Lisa McElherron, Head of Public Affairs at NICVA said: "These masterclasses are an important part of our work to raise the profile of the sector in key debates taking place in Northern Ireland. The size, shape and health of the economy is one such debate and we in NICVA want to ensure that voluntary and community organisations have as much information as possible when it comes to considering these crucial issues and the impact they have on the people and communites they work with.

We have focused on a range of important topics and are delighted to have secured such high profile and well informed speakers.  I know that I will be at all of the sessions with my note-book and a list of questions and I hope lots more organisations take up this great opportunity."

Understanding Government's Economic Levers will take place on Friday 16 September 2011 from 11.00am -13.00pm.  Speakers at this session will be Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Economic Advisory Group, Kate Barker and Dr Graham Brownlow from Queens University. Read more and book here.

What caused the financial crisis? Where do we go from here? will take place on Friday 21 October from 2.00pm- 4.00pm. Speakers will be Dr Andrew Baker from QUB and Esmond Birnie, Chief Economist at PWC. Read more and book here.

Gender Budgeting will take place on Friday 18 November from 10.30am - 12.30pm. Speakers at this session are Dr Alisa McKay, Caledonian Business School and Lynn Carvill, Women's Sector Lobbyist. Read more and book here.

The 'Creative Class' and Northern Ireland will take place on Friday 27 January from 10.30am - 12.30pm. Speakers will be Dr Nick Clifton, Cardiff Metropolitan University and Dr Duncan Morrow, University of Ulster. Read more and book here.

Matching services to need in an age of austerity will take place on Friday 24th February from 10.30am 12.30am. Speakers will be Martin Spollen and Dr Johann Gallagher from the Strategic Investment Board. Read more and book here.