I’ve learned so much in a very short time. Getting outside perspective has been enlightening and a great education for me. It is also surprisingly encouraging about how people outside the arts value what we do and how much will there is to help.

I have gained branches of Fellow leaders, that I can lean on, that I can encourage and that I can work with and who I cannot wait to work with.

A pivotal experience and space for rethinking, learning and transformative exchanges. It has re-ignited my passion and commitment to do better and to be better, as well as enhanced my skills and capacity. I am better equipped to continue to contribute more effectively to a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Northern Ireland.

The journey with the Fellowship Programme provided me with the courage to enter a period of reflection, taking the time to become curious about where I could have more impact directly on people’s lives and connect all my experiences, networks, drive, and passion to make Northern Ireland a fairer place for people to live, work, and thrive.

I had a fantastic experience that took my thinking to places I didn’t expect. My cohort were superb, and we remain in regular contact. The learning was both excellent and varied, and we were supported throughout, particular by fantastic partner organisations. The learning opportunities continue through the alumni network, and I would recommend the Fellowship Programme to anyone.

The Fellowship programme meant so much to me as a community peacebuilder. It not only helped me learn and self-reflect in both a personal and professional capacity, but it also helped me build networks and links with those working in the business, civic, and political sectors. Now a year later, I am proud to be part of the Fellowship Programme alumni network and I still have sustained positive relationships with all of those who were Fellows in 2023.

The Fellowship Programme gives political, business, and civic leaders from across Northern Ireland the opportunity to learn from each other and share experiences, which are away from the normal day to day interactions. It is a perfect opportunity to grow and develop leadership qualities, as well as challenging thought, ideas, and how we can collectively work for the betterment of Northern Ireland.

One of the things I find particularly beneficial is being able to work with people who have vast amounts of experience and people who are quite new to their field. So, you get both breadth and diversity.

The Fellowship Programme offers the unique opportunity to build long lasting and important networks across political, civic, and business leaders in Northern Ireland, whilst also gaining insight and knowledge from many world leading experts. The structure of the programme recognises the importance of leaders taking time away to focus on developing their leadership skills further and focusing on shared priorities for Northern Ireland.

We were afforded access to key thinkers and leaders who offer a real insight into what leadership means and how we look at the world. Furthermore, the development of relationships with the Fellows on the programme was vital. I would recommend anyone who is in a management role to apply for the programme.

The combination of theory and practical application has given us new ideas and concepts to approach our work differently. It’s been incredibly busy, but the journey has been thoroughly enjoyable.

The programme has given me invaluable insight into the work of other leaders across the political, business and civic sectors of Northern Ireland. The programme is an excellent platform for building important connections and for encouraging respectful debate, discussion and future focused solutions for enhanced peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland.