After months of preparation and anticipation, our first official Summit on Educational Disadvantage has come to a close—and what an incredible day it was! We have so many people to thank for making it such a success.
First, a heartfelt thank you to Unite the Union, Northern Ireland for generously partnering with us for this event and lending their expertise with banners, brochures, and all the stunning design elements that made the day visually impactful.
A massive shoutout to our brilliant speakers—Susan Fitzgerald, Eric Cownie, Patricia Nunez, John D’Arcy, and Geraldine McGahey—for sharing their wisdom and shining a light on the challenges of community and educational disadvantage. Your insights and dedication inspire us all to keep pushing for meaningful change.
To the amazing local grassroots organisations who attended: your work is the backbone of our communities. The impact community based organisations have on young people’s lives is profound, and we are grateful to collaborate with you in creating opportunities and support for those who need it most.
Thank you also to Sam McIlwaine at Shrapnel Podcast for hosting our panel and getting our sound set up for us and always being a great support.
Thanks to our interns Cameron, Hannah and Aisling for help pull this organisation together behind the scenes.
A big thank you to the team at the Stormont Hotel for their seamless hospitality and professionalism. From early morning hiccups to last-minute tweaks, you helped ensure everything ran smoothly.
Our deepest gratitude, however, goes to the young people who participated. Your courage in sharing your stories and supporting the organisations that have shaped your journeys was truly inspiring. Our young panellists gave powerful testimony to the value of community-based education and the need for systems that meet every individual where they are. To the young people stepping out of their comfort zones and showing up with such authenticity—you are the reason we do this work, and we couldn’t be prouder of your progress and we hope to continue to support you.
This summit was for you—to celebrate your resilience, amplify your voices, and recommit ourselves to advocating for your future.
To everyone who joined us today, thank you for being part of this incredible event. Together, we’re building a brighter, more inclusive path forward.
– The Team at Phoenix Education Centre
