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Power to the people

Hosted by the International Inequalities Institute

In-person and online public event (Old Theatre, Old Building)

Speakers

Dr Danny Sriskandarajah

Dr Danny Sriskandarajah

Jo Swinson

Jo Swinson

Discussant

Chair

Professor Armine Ishkanian

Professor Armine Ishkanian

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 (@dhnnjyn) is Chief Executive of the New Economics Foundation and Visiting Senior Fellow at the International Inequalities Institute at LSE. 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, LSE 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 (@Armish15) 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 LSE. Her research focuses on the relationship between civil society, democracy, development, and social transformation.

More about this event

Join us on campus or watch the event online at LSE Live. LSE Live is the new home for our live streams, allowing you to tune in and join the global debate at LSE, wherever you are in the world. A video will be made available shortly afterwards on LSE's YouTube channel.

The International Inequalities Institute (@LSEInequalities) at LSE brings together experts from many LSE 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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How can I attend? Add to calendar

This public event is free and open to all. This event will be a hybrid event, with an in-person audience and an online audience. 

For the in-person event: No ticket or pre-registration is required. Entry is on a first come, first served basis. For any queries see LSE Events FAQ.

For the online event: Register for this event via LSE Live at Power to the people.

For any queries email events@lse.ac.uk.

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