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.
In this event, Danny Sriskandarajah will 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.
The event is co-hosted by the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity and the LSE International Inequalities Institute.
Speaker
Danny Sriskandarajah
Danny Sriskandarajah 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.
Discussant
Jo Swinson
Jo Swinson has been the Director of Partners for a New Economy (P4NE) since 2020, 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).
Discussant
Lysa John
Lysa John is the Executive Director of the Atlantic Institute. She has a background in human rights, international development and social justice, with over 25 years of experience working for grassroots, national, and global networks. She has designed and coordinated programmes, campaigns and advocacy initiatives aimed at empowering communities, holding governments accountable and advancing sustainable development. In her most recent role as Secretary General of CIVICUS, she led a global alliance of civil society organisations and activists working to strengthen citizen participation and defend civic freedoms.
Chair
Professor Armine Ishkanian
Armine Ishkanian is the Executive Director of the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity programme and Professor in the Department of Social Policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Her research examines the relationship between civil society, democracy, development, and social transformation.
Banner Image: Photo by James Eades on Unsplash