Business

Belfast Homecoming to celebrate those who have made the city their home

Belfast Ambassador Medal recipient Barbara Snowarska with Neueda chief executive Brendan Monaghan and fellow recipients Joseph Ricketts and Donna Nalongo Namukasa
Belfast Ambassador Medal recipient Barbara Snowarska with Neueda chief executive Brendan Monaghan and fellow recipients Joseph Ricketts and Donna Nalongo Namukasa Belfast Ambassador Medal recipient Barbara Snowarska with Neueda chief executive Brendan Monaghan and fellow recipients Joseph Ricketts and Donna Nalongo Namukasa

:: TEN exceptional individuals who have made Belfast their home will be recognised at this year’s seventh Belfast Homecoming conference, which takes place remotely this Thursday and Friday (October 1/2).

Those being recognised will include leading burns consultant Mr Khalid Khan from Pakistan, Children’s Commissioner Koulla Yiasouma and social worker and community activist Donna Nalongo Namukasa from Uganda.

All ten will receive the Belfast Ambassador Medal and they will also participate in a talk at the two-day conference about their contribution to society here.

The talk, sponsored by Neueda, will centre on their individual experiences of moving to the city and why they chose to live and work in Belfast.

The ten recipients of the Belfast Ambassador Medal are: Koulla Yiasouma, NI Children’s Commissioner; Fatuma Maallin, secretary of the NI Somali Association; Sabine Kalke, Belfast urban planning expert; Khalid Khan, leading Northern Ireland burns consultant; Dr Satish Kumar, Director for Internationalisation for the School of Natural and Built Environment, QUB; Donna Nalongo Namukasa, community relations activist; Joseph Ricketts, community leader; Barbara Snowarska, founder of the Polish Saturday School; Rev. Brent van der Linde, assistant minister, Stormont Presbyterian Church; and Neil Shawcross, recognised portrait artist.

Donna Nalongo Namukasa said: “Belfast welcomed me in 2003 and it has become home to me and my family. The opportunities I have been afforded in the city, especially in terms of education, have been outstanding and have allowed me to better my future prospects and more importantly, my children’s.

“I'm thrilled to receive the Belfast Ambassador Medal at Belfast Homecoming and look forward to connecting with Belfast’s diaspora to look at how collectively we can rebuild this beautiful city and come back stronger and better.”

:: Women in Business NI has launched its new and innovative virtual events schedule to support members between now and the new year.

A range of bespoke online events will provide aspiring and established women in business and female entrepreneurs with the opportunity to build connections, develop both personally and professionally, all whilst supporting their well-being.

The Young Women's Network Round Table will take place this Thursday October at 2pm, offering young women the opportunity to network, share experiences and discuss topical issues within business.

And if you are a woman in finance, join Women in Business for a virtual round table forum to discuss various topics and connect on Tuesday October 6 at 100am.

To find out more information on upcoming events, including how to register, visit www.womeninbusinessni.com or email info@womeninbusinessni.com