Sociology Professor serves as Keynote Speaker at Peace and Prosperity Forum

Dr. Curtis Holland of the Sociology Department was the keynote speaker at the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council's "Together: Building a United Community" (T:BUC) Engagement Forum. The Forum, titled "Peace and Prosperity," was held on June 4, 2024, in Craigavon, United Kingdom.

Holland, the author of the book, "Inequality, Identity, and the Politics of Northern Ireland," shared his decade of research findings on how the lack of socio-economic development in poor and working-class communities most affected by the legacy of violent political conflict is undermining the peace process and empowering sectarian political leaders and paramilitary organizations.

The T:BUC Engagement Forum was established to support the effective implementation of the T:BUC strategy; which outlines how government, community and individuals are working to build a united community and achieve change against the following key priorities: Cultural Expression; Children and Young People; Shared Community and Safe Community.

The goal of the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council (CRC) is promoting a peaceful and shared society based on reconciliation and mutual trust. was established in 1990 to lead and support change towards reconciliation, tolerance and mutual trust. The CRC is an Arm's Length Body of The Executive Office (TEO), a Department of the Northern Ireland Executive, and a catalyst for good inter-community and inter-cultural community relations work in the region.