We’re delighted to welcome the following special guests and performers to the Leeds Summat Gathering 2011. Full wording for their sessions available if you hover over the wording, where instructed.
Acclaimed human rights activist Peter Tatchell. HOVER HERE to read about Peter’s headline talk, on ‘Economic Democracy: Remaking a Broken System’. He will also participate in the 2pm panel debate exploring activism and change, with Benny Wenda, Justin Rowlatt, and more.
Outspoken political guru Maurice Glasman - architect of the Blue Labour movement, life peer in the House of Lords, and advisor to Ed Miliband. HOVER HERE to read about Maurice’s headline talk. He will also participate in Leeds Community Organising‘s 1pm workshop on ‘Harnessing Power to Change’, and Leeds Salon’s 3pm Big Society debate.
BBC ‘Ethical Man’ Justin Rowlatt will – for his main talk – ask ‘Why aren’t the greens winning?’ and present a provocative new manifesto for a more pragmatic and effective environmental movement; he looks forward to having a (quote) ‘huge’ debate! HOVER HERE to read about Justin’s headline talk. He will also join our 2pm panel discussion on activism and change.
This year’s seen huge international popular uprisings, across the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe (most notably in Greece). We’re honoured to be hosting activist-leaders from the popular uprisings in Egypt and Greece, to share their stories, learning and perspectives. HOVER HERE to find out more about their shared session, HERE for the Egypt workshop, and HERE for the Greece workshop.
Benny Wenda, tribal leader, head of the Free West Papua campaign, and musician. Benny leads the international campaign to bring to light the oppression and hardship being suffered by the peoples of West Papua, a land which has been under Indonesian military rule for close to 50 years. HOVER HERE for info on Benny’s headline talk. He will also be performing some unique ‘Lani’ music from West Papua, and participate in the 2pm session on activism and change.
David Barrie, co-founder of The People’s Supermarket (as seen on TV). David will draw on his stories and experiences of that venture and others to speak on ‘The Business of Social Change’; HOVER HERE to find out more on David’s talk. He will also be participating in the 2pm food forum, with Incredible Edible Todmorden and Leeds BTCV.
Political performance poet Remi Kanazi. Remi is a Palestinian poet, writer, and activist – now based in New York City. His session- titled ‘This Poem Will Not End Apartheid: cultural boycott and the role of artists’ – will be highly interactive, featuring discussion, talk, and performance, and will explore both some the specifics of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and the role of art and artists in situations of injustice.
Thanks also to local gent Harry Gration, off BBC Look North – who will be hosting the big 10am morning discussion (click here for more). And to top-selling musician Luke Concannon, formerly of Nizlopi – who’ll be performing throughout the day, and at the ‘Summat Enchanted Evening’ event from 5pm.