The Social Justice Summer School is a celebration of the university’s commitment to Social Justice.
Date: 10 July 2014
London Metropolitan University is holding a Social Justice Summer School in celebration of London Met’s long and proud commitment to social justice on the local area.
At London Met, social justice is demonstrated daily and publicly through teaching, research and engagement with local communities. The two-day family event, taking place on 11 and 12 July, aims to highlight the University's role as a proponent of social justice in the capital.
"The Social Justice Summer School is an important event, as it marks London Met's commitment to fairness, equity and inclusion," said Jayne Osgood, Professor of Education in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. "This commitment courses through so much of what we do.
"We see it as a perfect opportunity to open our doors to the public and to showcase what we do best; and crucially to have fun in the process."
Friday 11 July
The Summer School opens on Friday 11 July at 3.30pm, beginning with a panel discussion on the place of social justice in peoples' lives.
With the exception of MP Jeremy Corbyn – a longstanding supporter and friend to the University - the panel comprises notable London Met alumni, including women’s rights campaigner Rainatou Sow who will talk about her campaign for a peaceful and equitable world.
Rainatou founded 'Make Every Woman Count' which is an organisation operated by a team of young women in Africa, America and Europe who use their passion and experience to promote rights and empowerment of women and girls.
She was awarded 'Inspirational Women of the Year' in 2012 by Women for Africa and has been featured in the '20 Youngest Power Women in Africa' by Forbes Magazine.
In Parliament, MP Jeremy Corbyn speaks up on issues which he believes to be important such as education, health and housing. He is outspoken about human rights and is an anti-war campaigner.
“I prioritise the needs of the poor and the human rights of all, at home and abroad. The needs of minority groups, including asylum-seekers, have also been at the forefront of my work for the past 22 years,” Corbyn has said.
Other panelists, who have been invited to provide illustrations of how they enact social justice in their professional lives and through their activism, include human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, former presidents of London Met Students' Union, Jason Jackson and Claire Locke, and professor of social research and evaluation, Georgie Parry-Crooke.
The panel will be followed by Student Testimonials, a session where London Met students will speak about the transformational educational opportunities they have benefited from by studying at London Met.
“London Met is a community university which celebrates diversity and gives people a chance to prove themselves,” Jackson said.
We are also pleased to welcome our in-coming Vice Chancellor, Professor John Raftery, who will share his vision for London Met and how social justice informs his work.
Saturday 12 July
The main conference will take place on Saturday with seven strands and over 40 presentations by London Met academics and local partners on a wide range of topics which are all in some sense shaped by concerns with social justice.
There will also be art installations, performances, exhibitions, a steel drum band, choral singing, a free BBQ and a range of family activities including an animation workshop, face painting, flag making, and much more.
It is set to be a fantastic event that will appeal to all.
The aim of the experience is to raise awareness, understanding, protection and implementation of human rights and social justice in the local area, UK and worldwide, but also give an opportunity for the community to enjoy time with their local University and celebrate London Met’s enduring commitment to social justice.
For the full timetable and more information, please see the website for the event.
The event is completely free. To book please click here.
