A WEEKEND TO INSPIRE
Friday 17 - Sunday 19 September
Join us for a weekend
of conversations, workshops and performances,
as we explore together the world as it is
and as we can make it.
You'll hear from - and hopefully add your voice to -
activists, performers, poets, organisers and artists
as we share stories, discuss and debate, laugh and listen
around our five themes:
Dignity & Justice
Equity & Equality
Arts & Culture
Activism & Participation
Environment & the Planet
FRIDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2021
The day begins with conversations exploring the theme of DIGNITY & JUSTICE, which sits at the very centre of human rights. We explore criminal justice, the rights of the homeless, modern day slavery, the care system, policies that promote discrimination and masculinity and violence.
Together, we then dive into the theme of ACTIVISM & PARTICIPATION. Being able to access our community life and take part in the decisions that affect us is fundamental to who we can be as individuals and how we shape our society. Conversations will cover topics from the digital divide and the proliferation of fake news to protecting freedom of speech and the power of young people to change the world.
You’ll hear from speakers including human rights barrister Baroness Helena Kennedy QC; journalist Amelia Gentleman; CEO of In Place of War Ruth Daniel; former chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal OBE; artist and educator David Tovey; Director of English PEN Daniel Gorman; with more speakers to be confirmed soon!
The evening will see two special events:
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The celebrated author and activist Elif Shafak will deliver the 2021 English PEN HG Wells Lecture, introduced by human rights lawyer Philippe Sands QC.
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Poetic Declaration 1-10, hosted by UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage CBE, that unveils the ground-breaking new work of 10 poets in response to Articles 1-10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Line up to be announced in July 2021.
Please note that the evening events will be ticketed separately to the day passes.
The day begins with conversations exploring the theme of EQUITY & EQUALITY, which flows from that essential belief that all human beings are born equal in dignity and rights. We will look at economic fairness, sexual and gender rights; migration and marginalised communities, racism and privilege, disability rights the power of community and the attitudes of different global governments to human rights.
Together, we then dive into the stories and creativity of ARTS & CULTURE and its key role in inspiring and moving how we see the world around us. We’ll explore who is welcomed; whose stories and histories are told; how artists use their work to build activism; and the role of arts in creating justice.
You’ll hear from speakers including writer Sabeena Akhtar; human rights activist Peter Tatchell; leader of the Women’s Equality Party Mandu Reid; Director of Borderlines Sophie Besse; writer Hannah Pool; Manchester Museum Director Esme Ward; founder of Arts and Homelessness International Matt Peacock; with more speakers to be confirmed soon!
The evening will see our second Poetic Declaration 11-20, hosted by UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage CBE, that unveils the ground-breaking new work of 10 poets in response to Articles 11-20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Line up to be announced in July 2021.
Please note that the evening events will be ticketed separately to the day passes.
SATURDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2021
SUNDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2021
We dedicate the final day of The Ripples of Hope Festival to a theme that has a massive impact on human vulnerability and inequity: ENVIRONMENT & THE PLANET.
Every aspect of our environment – its quality, its design, its stability and survival – determines our ability to make human rights a reality. We’ll discuss food politics, the design of cities, the future of sustainable fashion, ethical economic growth, young climate activists, indigenous knowledge and practical actions all of us can take.
You’ll hear from speakers including 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarthi; former President of Ireland Mary Robinson; Chair of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights UK and entrepreneur Paul Lindley OBE; human rights lawyer Philippe Sands QC; Director for the Centre of Applied Human Rights at the University of York Paul Gready; founder of the Eden Project Tim Smit; with more speakers to be confirmed soon!
The evening will see our third Poetic Declaration 21-30, hosted by UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage CBE, that unveils the ground-breaking new work of 10 poets in response to Articles 21-30 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Line up to be announced in July 2021.
Please note that the evening events will be ticketed separately to the day passes.
PARTICIPATION, EQUALITY & CULTURE PARTNER
OFFICIAL SUPPORTING PARTNERS
MEDIA PARTNERS
CO-PRODUCTION PARTNERS
PUBLIC SECTOR PARTNERS
