Change the Story: White Ribbon Ireland Conference 2026

Panels, workshops and expert speakers exploring gender-based violence in Ireland, and the role men and boys play in ending it.
About this Event

Change the Story is White Ribbon Ireland's 2026 conference, taking place at Aviva Stadium, Dublin. The day features the launch of new national research into young people's attitudes to gender, respect and relationships, alongside a full programme bringing together NGOs, practitioners, researchers and people with lived experience to share best practices in working to end gender-based violence in Ireland, and explore what still needs to change.

The day includes a keynote address, panel discussions on the current landscape of GBV in Ireland and the role of men as allies, and the presentation of the survey findings. In the afternoon, interactive workshops cover topics from creative writing to consent education.

Speakers include Lewis Wedlock, masculinities educator, Christine Lodge (Safe Ireland), Dr. Jessica Coyne (Central Statistics Office), Mago Noonan (SATU), researcher Lorrie Hayman, Lilly van der Hoek (Emancipator), Tahnee McCorry (White Ribbon Northern Ireland), Ross Lopes-Lister (Unite Union, Work Safe/Home Safe Campaign), Dermot O'Brian (National Youth Council), Sarah Corsini (AMACH! LGBT) and Richie Etherington-Benson (Beyond Equality).

What to expect

Expect honest conversations from people who live and work in this space: researchers, practitioners, and people with lived experience, sharing what the data shows, what's actually working on the ground, and what still needs to change.

Hear directly from experts and campaigners in panel discussions, as they exchange their learnings and expertise. Then get hands-on in interactive workshops, where you'll work through practical methods alongside expert facilitators.

You'll leave with fresh perspectives, practical takeaways you can bring back to your own areas of engagement, and new connections with others who care about this issue. The day closes with an invitation to sign the White Ribbon pledge board, demonstrating a shared commitment to change.

Workshops

Interactive breakout workshops/sessions will take place in the afternoon. Please select your preference when booking your ticket. Only one ticket per person; you cannot attend multiple workshops.

• Fighting Words: collective short story writing
• Manbox (the word race), led by Emancipator
• Consent, led by Active*Consent
• Masculinities Work in Practice: a workshop led by Lewis Wedlock on holding the four components of masculinities work

Whether you work in the sector, in policy, in education, or simply want to be part of building a movement for change, this conference is for you.

09:30 am to 5:00 pm, Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Please note: photography and videography will take place throughout this event. By attending, you consent to being included in this coverage, which may be used for promotional and communications purposes.

Please note: this event includes discussion of gender-based violence, which may be a triggering topic.