Thursday 12th January

7.00pm
Understanding the new politics of race 

Despite the success of the civil rights movement in the 1960s in transforming the lives of black people, race politics in the US at the start of this century seems more polarised than ever. Racial inequality persists but there are fierce debates over the causes and solutions. Rather than seeking to realise the liberal ideal of a ‘colour-blind’ society, a new anti-racism politics wants to raise consciousness about race and the ‘problem’ of whiteness. Is this leading to more equality and progress or not? How should liberals approach this question? Crucially, how is the US experience influencing what happens in the UK and what can we learn from it?

Keynote speaker: 

Professor John McWhorter
Writer; Professor of Linguistics, Columbia University

Respondents:

Kenan Malik
Broadcaster; columnist, The Observer

Munira Mirza
Chief Executive, Civic Future

Chair:
Professor Rana Mitter OBE
Professor of the History and Politics of Modern China, University of Oxford

Friday 13th January

9.45am
How can we ensure that a wide range of viewpoints on race are heard? 

In the US, and increasingly in the UK, the debate about race is contentious, with the liberal perspective often viewed with suspicion in prominent anti-racist circles. In addition, there is evidence that universities - which have traditionally educated the next generation of leaders - are not prioritising intellectual diversity or freedom of speech. Instead, it is argued, universities are emphasising the protection of identity groups against a narrow conception of harm. But, is this a fair assessment of the landscape? How do we ensure that liberal perspectives continue to be heard and championed in the public space, and how do we build support for them amongst a younger generation?

Speakers:

Professor Arif Ahmed MBE
Professor of Philosophy, University of Cambridge

Ayishat Akanbi
Fashion stylist and writer

Coleman Hughes
Writer and podcast host

Sonia Sodha
Chief leader writer and columnist, The Observer

Chair: 

Tanjil Rashid
Journalist and producer

11.15am
What do we know about progress in racial equality and the disparities that exist?

The evidence about racial inequality is varied and complex. It is often hard to draw singular conclusions about how and why certain groups fare differently. Added to this are the myriad definitions of inequality and racism; terms which are used in different ways and often have political connotations. Can we use evidence to reconcile disagreements, engage the ‘moderate middle’, and reach a shared understanding? What kind of inequality should we all be concerned about? What do we understand or not about the driving factors? 

Speakers:

Professor Glenn Loury
Merton P. Stoltz Professor of the Social Sciences, Brown University

Lord Dr Tony Sewell CBE
Chair, Generating Genius

Katharine Birbalsingh CBE
Headmistress, Michaela Community School; Former Chair, Social Mobility Commission

Paul Johnson CBE
Director, Institute for Fiscal Studies

Chair:
Munira Mirza
Chief Executive, Civic Future

12.30pm
How has the meaning of racism and equality changed?

Race and anti-racism have moved increasingly centre stage in public life and institutions, even before the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. But today’s anti-racist movement, placing increased emphasis on racial difference, seems to contrast with the universalist character of the 1960s civil rights era. This change of emphasis is significant, yet it has received little pushback from institutions. What is new and different about today’s anti-racist movement? What, if anything, has contributed to this change? And to what extent can liberal values continue to give meaning to the notion of equality?

Speakers:
Sir Trevor Phillips OBE 
Businessman; Chair, Index on Censorship
Professor John McWhorter 
Professor of Linguistics, Columbia University 
Dr Alka Seghal Cuthbert
Director, Don’t Divide Us

Chair:
Samir Shah CBE
Chief Executive and Creative Director, Juniper

3.00pm
How should liberal democracies practically advance the goal of racial equality and justice? 

Just as there are debates about the extent of racial disparities and their causes, there are different opinions about how to address these. Many of these are based on evidence of ‘what works’ but they also derive from different views of social processes and individuals. In a liberal democracy, what role do ideas of individual agency, community self-reliance and state action play in enabling ethnic minorities to overcome disadvantages? What role do formal institutions and legislation play, as well as culture, family and community? Is it realistic or fair to expect these factors to overcome longstanding historic disadvantage? 

Speakers:
Dr Remi Adekoya
Associate Lecturer on Politics, University of York
Dr Ian Rowe
Senior fellow, American Enterprise Institute
Jason Riley
Senior fellow, Manhattan Institute; columnist, Wall Street Journal
Mercy Muroki
Policy advisor and journalist 

Chair: 
Kunle Olulode
Director, Voice4Change England

4.30pm
How to build a new age of tolerance and equality

Speakers:
Coleman Hughes
Writer and podcast host

Thomas Chatterton Williams
Contributing writer, The Atlantic; Professor of Humanities at Bard College

Stephen Bush
Columnist and associate editor, Financial Times

Tomiwa Owolade
Contributing writer, New Statesman

Chair:
Inaya Folarin Iman
Director, The Equiano Project