Last month, the SDLP launched the Make Change programme, an ambitious new public service recruitment and development programme, aimed at getting high achieving young people and experienced professionals into the civil service to tackle this society’s most intractable problems.  

It is well known that Northern Ireland faces a ‘brain drain’ crisis with too many talented young people leaving these shores frustrated by the slowness of change. Join Matthew O’Toole MLA with a panel of guests where they will discuss the challenges facing our society and our young people, and talk through some of the ways we can start to retain talent here.  

Guests:  

• Ann Watt – Director, Pivotal, independent think tank  
• Ellen Fearon – National Union of Students-Union of Students in Ireland (NUS-USI) President  
• Cormac Savage – Former President and founder of Secondary Students' Union of Northern Ireland (SSUONI)