UN Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about our commitment to nurturing a culture of sustainability and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This activity relates to the following SDGs:
Activities
ARK 'Cultivating opportUNITY with social and community farming' event
A pivotal event focused on social and community farming, was held on 19 September in the Great Hall and was hosted by ARK, Northern Ireland’s Social Policy Hub at Queen’s. The event featured a panel that included Dr Matt Williams, Conservation and Education Manager at Jubilee Farm (Northern Ireland's first community-owned farm), Tiziana O’Hara from Cooperative Alternatives, and Dr Aoibeann Walsh from Rural Support. The event was chaired by Dr Jonny Hanson from ARK and the School of Social Sciences, Education, and Social Work at Queen’s. Panelists remarks about the event can be found here.
The event brought together key stakeholders including local farmers, community leaders, and policymakers to explore innovative ways that farming can serve as a catalyst for social inclusion, mental health support, and environmental responsibility. This reinforces Queen's commitment to civic engagement and fostering sustainable community development.
Social and community farming initiatives are gaining recognition across Northern Ireland for their positive impact on vulnerable groups, including individuals with disabilities, mental health challenges, and social isolation.
