Creating Inclusive Economies

Why in the 21st century do we have a more unequal society than ever before? Our Focus Day explores the relationship between economic and political decision-making and the impact of those decisions on the most vulnerable in our society. Working in collaboration with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, we discuss the reasons behind this inequality, the impact it has, and crucially, where the big new ideas on creating inclusive economies lie.

Work at the University of York is focused around seven research themes which align our academic strengths to best meet the grand scientific, social and environmental challenges of our time. Learn more about the Justice and equality and Health and wellbeing research themes.

Friday 15 June

10.30am - 12.15pm

Connecting the Dots: Global inequality, poverty and wellbeing

We are delighted to welcome three world-leading experts to present compelling evidence about inequality and its impact. David Pilling, Africa Editor of the Financial Times and author of The Growth Delusion; Kate Pickett, author of The Inner Level, sequel to the acclaimed The Spirit Level; and Danny Dorling of the University of Oxford, author of Peak Inequality: Britain’s Ticking Time Bomb, kick off a day exploring new and radical ideas of how to solve poverty and inequality. Our Focus Day is introduced by Dianne Willcocks, Deputy Chair of Trustees of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and the session is chaired by Jonathan Derbyshire of the Financial Times.

Speakers include:

David Pilling, Financial Times

Kate Pickett, University of York

Danny Dorling, University of Oxford

Dianne Willcocks, Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Jonathan Derbyshire, Financial Times (Chair)

3.00pm - 4.30pm

The Impact of Poverty on Households, Homelessness and Health

Lord Victor Adebowale, Chief Executive of the social enterprise Turning Point, presents the keynote speech on the impact and consequences of homelessness. Our expert panel, including Sam Thomas of the Health Foundation, Sara Davies of the University of Bristol and Julie Rugg of the University of York, discuss the big ideas for solving homelessness. The session is chaired by Claire Ainsley of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Speakers include:

Lord Victor Adebowale, Turning Point

Sara Davies, University of Bristol

Julie Rugg, University of York

Sam Thomas, Health Foundation

Claire Ainsley, Joseph Rowntree Foundation (Chair)

1.00pm - 2.30pm

Solving UK Poverty

Just how big a problem is poverty in the UK and who is impacted most? Join Claire Ainsley, Joseph Rowntree Foundation Executive Director, Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner for England, and Helen Pearson, author of The Life Project, as they discuss the scale of the problem and how it is affecting life chances for the most vulnerable in our society.

Speakers include:

Claire Ainsley, Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner for England

Helen Pearson, Nature

Chris Renwick, University of York (Chair)

5.00pm - 6.30pm

Building an Inclusive Economy: Where are the big ideas?

Are there different ways we can organise our economy to create a fairer and more prosperous society? How could we adjust our economic decision making to help the poorest in society? Should we adopt basic universal income? What are the lessons we can learn from programmes like the Inclusive Economy Partnership and the Spanish cooperative, the MONDRAGON Corporation? Join Andy Wood of the Inclusive Economy Partnership, Wanda Wyporska, Executive Director of The Equality Trust, Roger Farmer of the University of Warwick, Neil McInroy of the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (Preston) and Ander Etxeberria of the MONGRAGON Corporation.

Speakers include:

Andy Wood, Inclusive Economy Partnership

Ander Etxeberria, MONDRAGON Corporation

Roger Farmer, University of Warwick

Neil McInroy, Centre for Local Economic Strategies

Wanda Wyporska, The Equality Trust

Roy Sainsbury, University of York (Chair)