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Advocate for Integrated Education

How you can support Integrated Education through Advocacy.

One question for your elected representatives:

What have you done to support Integrated Education, and if elected, what specific actions will you take to make it available to every family who wants it?

Ten Point Manifesto for Integrated Education:

  1. Listen to Parents

Publish an annual Northern Ireland-wide survey on families’ preferred type of school.

 

  1. Every Child Together

Every child should have the opportunity to learn together every day, regardless of religion or background.

 

  1. Fair School Planning

Create an independent, sector-blind body to plan schools based on parental choice and community need.

 

  1. Integration First

Make Integrated and cross-sector solutions the first option whenever schools are reorganised and presume all new schools will be Integrated, unless there is a clear reason otherwise.

 

  1. One Fair Education System

Introduce a single model of governance and administration for all publicly funded schools.

 

  1. Equality in Every School

Extend Section 75 equality duties to every school, giving all schools a legal responsibility to promote equality, diversity and good relations among pupils, staff and governors.

 

  1. One Teaching Profession

Create a single teacher training system and fully implement fair employment protections for teachers.

 

  1. Deliver Existing Law

Fully implement the Integrated Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 with clear targets and public accountability.

 

  1. Fund What Families Want

Provide ring-fenced funding to meet growing demand for Integrated Education.

 

  1. Build a Shared Future

Coordinate education, housing and community planning, so Integrated Education and shared communities grow together.

 

Meet the Politicians

 

Political Conferences

 

The Integrated Education Fund (IEF), in partnership with the Integrated AlumNI, will be taking stands and hosting fringe events at all party conferences in Northern Ireland.

 

Conferences Confirmed to Date

Date Conference Venue
12 September 2026 SDLP Party Conference Crowne Plaza, Belfast
19 September 2026 DUP Party Conference La Mon House Hotel, Belfast
26 September 2026 UUP Party Conference Crowne Plaza, Belfast

 

Hustings Events

 

Panel discussions hosted at Integrated Education schools throughout Northern Ireland.  These are being run in partnership with the Integrated AlumNI, Electoral Commission, LucidTalk and Politics in Action.

 

Constituency Venue Date Time
Fermanagh & South Tyrone Erne IC, Enniskillen Friday 18 September 2026 9.00–11.00 am
Foyle (TBC) Oakgrove IC, Derry Friday 9 October 2026 2.00–4.00 pm
North Down Priory IC, Holywood Friday 6 November 2026 9.00–11.00 am
Lagan Valley Fort Hill IC, Lisburn TBC TBC

 

Parliament Buildings Panel Discussion

 

Wednesday 2 December 2026
6.00–8.00 pm

 

The IEF will run a Panel Discussion at the Senate Hall in Parliament Buildings, Belfast, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Youth Parliament.

 

How Can You Make a Difference?

 

There are many ways you can support Integrated Education and help influence decision-makers.

 

  • Register to vote.

– Contact Us | The Electoral Office for Northern Ireland

 

  • Email your political candidates in the forthcoming election.

https://nielects.com/election/ae27/candidates/

 

  • Ask prospective candidates questions when they call at your door.
  • Vote.
  • Ask your elected representatives to raise questions in your Council, the Northern Ireland Assembly or Westminster.
  • Respond to Government consultations.
  • Write to your local newspaper.

 

——————————-

Blog by Paul Collins, Head of Public Affairs and Advocacy at the Integrated Education Fund

 

How to Engage with Politicians

Sometimes politics can feel distant, confusing, or even frustrating. But the truth is, politicians make decisions every day that affect your education, your community, and your future.

The most obvious way to engage is to vote—in Assembly elections, Council elections, or Westminster elections.

But voting is not the only way to influence change.

 

How Else Can You Influence Politics?

You can:

  • Write to your local politician, during an election or at any time of the year.
  • Ask them to raise an issue in the Assembly, in Westminster, or at your local council.
  • Respond to consultations—on everything from traffic lights on your street to major new laws.

Here’s something important to remember:

Politicians will only act on issues if those issues are raised.

If no one speaks up, nothing changes.

 

A Short Story

During one council election campaign, a representative from a political party knocked on my door.

Earlier that same day, I had organised an inter-party conference on homelessness—and his party hadn’t turned up.

When I mentioned this, he said: “Hold on—let me get my dad.”  His dad was the candidate.

He came to the door, and we ended up having a heated conversation about homelessness. It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t polished. It was just honest.

That candidate later became Lord Mayor of Belfast.

In the following 12 months he:

  • Organised a sleep-out at City Hall.
  • Hosted a conference on homelessness.
  • Helped run a gala ball to raise money for a homelessness charity.

When he was asked at the gala ball why he had supported homelessness so strongly, he said: “Because I was touched by how important this issue was to someone who spoke to me about it.”

 

All it took was a conversation.

 

Your voice matters.

 

Today is your opportunity to have those conversations.

  • Ask questions.
  • Challenge respectfully.
  • Explain what matters to you.

 

The Power of Speaking Up

Margaret Thatcher (former Prime Minister of the UK), was once asked why she didn’t support the anti-apartheid campaign.

Her answer was simple: “Because I received so few letters about the issue!”

So never underestimate the power of your voice.

——————————-

 

All 76 Integrated schools in Northern Ireland were set up by local parents—parents who either founded new schools or voted to transform existing ones.

 

Not politicians.

 

Not government departments.

 

Ordinary people who cared enough to act.

 

So use your influence—for Integrated Education, for your community, or for whatever cause you feel most passionate about.

 

Because your voice matters.

 

Your experience matters.

 

For more information on how to support Integrated Education, email Paul Collins Head of Public Affairs and Advocacy:

pcollins@ief.org.uk