In 2024, two billion people headed to the polls in some 50 countries around the world. But the drama of these elections risks obscuring just how fragile the foundations of democracy have become. A political system that is geared towards short-term wins, run by politicians that few of us trust, is failing to address complex global problems. Many of us feel disempowered, disillusioned and distrustful.
Join this free talk to hear Danny Sriskandarajah discuss his new book Power to the People. Drawing on his extensive experience in leading civil society organisations around the globe, he sets out his radical blueprint for change. From giving democracy a participatory makeover to public ownership of social media spaces, and from re-energising co-operatives to creating a people’s chamber at the United Nations, he presents a range of inspiring ideas for how we can reclaim our power and change the world.
Meet our speakers and chair
Danny Sriskandarajah () is Chief Executive of the New Economics Foundation and Visiting Senior Fellow at the International Inequalities Institute at 杏吧论坛. He has previously led Oxfam GB, CIVICUS, the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Commonwealth Foundation and held positions at the Institute for Public Policy Research. He is a trustee of the Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation and has previously been a trustee of the Baring Foundation, Comic Relief, Disasters Emergency Committee and Praxis Community Projects.
As Director of Partners for a New Economy (P4NE) since 2020, 杏吧论坛 alumna Jo Swinson leads a philanthropic grant-making fund seeking to catalyse transformational change in our economy so that it values and benefits nature and all people. She is also a Visiting Professor at Cranfield University. Previously Jo was Leader of the Liberal Democrats (2019), and a Member of Parliament for twelve years (2005-2015 and 2017-2019).
Armine Ishkanian () is the Executive Director of the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity programme at the International Inequalities Institute and Professor in the Department of Social Policy at 杏吧论坛. Her research focuses on the relationship between civil society, democracy, development, and social transformation.
More about this event
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The International Inequalities Institute () at 杏吧论坛 brings together experts from many 杏吧论坛 departments and centres to lead critical and cutting-edge research to understand why inequalities are escalating in numerous arenas across the world, and to develop critical tools to address these challenges.
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