Policy has the power to change every part of our lives - for good or bad. But so much about it is hidden in faceless bureaucracy, making it impossible to fight or challenge on a human level. How we make policy and who we make it for impacts all of us. So - how can we use the power of policy to create positive social change?

Speakers include:

• Amelia Gentleman, Journalist and Author

• Jude Kelly, Artistic Director, Ripples of Hope Festival (Chair)

• Togara Muzanenhamo, Poet

• Sally Penni, Founder, Women In The Law

Every day, we make decisions that affect the human rights of others and ourselves - at the shops; online; and in the technologies we use. How can we become more conscious of the impact we have when we make our daily purchasing choices?

Speakers include:

• Phillip Clayton, Head of Innovation and Income Development, City Hearts UK

• Anja Meinhardt, Artistic Director, Justice in Motion 

• Elaine Mitchel-Hill, Business & Human Rights Director, Marshalls (Chair)

• Baroness Lola Young, Co-Chair, All Party Parliamentary Group on Ethics and Sustainability in Fashion

The written word and the search for human progress are inextricably linked.Founded in 1921, English PEN is one of the world’s oldest NGOs, focusing on literature and freedom of expression. Hear about the 100 year story of this movement and the countless writers who have engaged with it and explore with us - what is the future for such as PEN, both here in the UK and globally?

Speakers include:

• Yirgalem Fisseha Mebrahtu, Eritrean Poet and Writer in Exile

• Daniel Gorman, Director, English PEN (Chair)

• Ahdaf Soueif, Author and Political & Cultural Commentator

• Jennifer Wong, Hong Kong-born Poet and Author of 回家 Letters Home

Many believe prisons are not fit for purpose. Help us think about life before, in and after prison and how we can shape the future of criminal justice in the UK. Do our prison and justice systems really make society safer or fairer?

Speakers include:

• Brenda Birungi, Broadcaster, Advocate and Poet (Lady Unchained)

• PA Bitez, Poet, Young Identity

• Paula Harriott, Head of Prisoner Engagement, Prison Reform Trust

• Kerry Kennedy, President, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights

• Phil Maguire, Chief Executive, Prison Radio Association (Chair)

• Michelle Quirke, Governor, HMP Styal

The Human Library is a space for conversations that open our minds, inspire our curiosity and deepen our understanding - where real people are on loan to readers. A place where questions - perhaps difficult, perhaps insightful - are expected, appreciated and answered. You need to book to join a session, which you can do at the Information Point in the Foyer.

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Emmanuela Yogolelo is a singer-songwriter; creative facilitator; producer; cultural leader and French, Swahili and Lingala interpreter who fled war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She is a founding member of the Music Action International team and performs regularly with Afrocelt Soundsystem.