Will Glendinning is a former politician

Politician

A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...

 in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...

. He is now the Coordinator of Diversity Challenges an independent community organization working on community relations and cultural diversity [www.diversity-challenges.com]

Glendinning joined the Ulster Defence Regiment

Ulster Defence Regiment

The Ulster Defence Regiment was an infantry regiment of the British Army which became operational in 1970, formed on similar lines to other British reserve forces but with the operational role of defence of life or property in Northern Ireland against armed attack or sabotage...

 in the early 1970s and served in Armagh. In 1977

Northern Ireland local elections, 1977

Elections for local government were held in Northern Ireland in May 1977.The elections saw good performances by the four largest parties: the Ulster Unionist Party , Social Democratic and Labour Party , Alliance Party of Northern Ireland and Democratic Unionist Party , while smaller parties failed...

, he was elected as an Alliance Party of Northern Ireland

Alliance Party of Northern Ireland

The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland is a liberal and nonsectarian political party in Northern Ireland. It is Northern Ireland's fifth-largest party overall, with eight seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly and one in the House of Commons....

 (APNI) councillor for Belfast

Belfast

Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...

 "Area F" which covered the Lower Falls, Donegal Road and Markets areas. He held his seat in 1981

Northern Ireland local elections, 1981

Elections for local government were held in Northern Ireland in 1981.-Overall:-Belfast:...

, and was also narrowly elected at the Northern Ireland Assembly election, 1982 for West Belfast.

"Area F" was abolished in 1985

Northern Ireland local elections, 1985

Elections for local government were held in Northern Ireland on 15 May 1985.-1981 elections:The previous elections had been fought in the middle of the hunger strike and the H-Block Prison Protest...

 but Glendinning won a council seat in the Lower Falls Electoral Area, with his wife Pip succeeding in gaining a seat for APNI in the adjacent Upper Falls Area. He and his wife both resigned their council seats in 1987 due to the birth of their daughter. He became the Chief Executive of the Community Relations Council, before becoming a consultant on "cultural diversity

Cultural diversity

Cultural diversity is having different cultures respect each other's differences. It could also mean the variety of human societies or cultures in a specific region, or in the world as a whole...

, community relations and transition from conflict". In 2002, he worked on "helping to improve the Orange Order's general community relations and its public image". This work is for the project Diversity Challenges and includes work with a number of culturally specific groups in Ireland including: Orange Order, Apprentice Boys of Derry, Royal Black, Marching Bands, Ancient Order of Hibernians and the GAA. He is now working on storytelling projects on the past conflict