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Disagreeing Well across Generations

23 October 2024, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm

photo of Disagreeing Well panel speakers

Are we in the middle of a generational war? Are Millennials really entitled ‘snowflakes’? Are Baby Boomers stealing their children’s futures?

This event is free.

Event Information

Open to

All

Availability

Yes

Cost

Free

Organiser

Events

Location

Bloomsbury Theatre
15 Gordon Street
London
WC1H 0AH

Book your place
In person tickets for the event have now SOLD OUT! For those still interested in watching you can still sign up for tickets for the livestream of the event.

Introducing our first interactive panel event of the academic year: Disagreeing Well across Generations.

From culture wars to climate change, housing to migration, younger and older people are often cast as opponents. Coming from diverse ages and backgrounds, our panel will tackle this assumption, aiming to understand and bridge the generational gap.

“Are we in the middle of a generational war? Are Millennials really entitled ‘snowflakes’? Are Baby Boomers stealing their children’s futures? Are Generation X the saddest generation? Will Generation Z fix the climate crisis?” - panellist Professor Bobby Duffy, Generations

Join us and our brilliant panel on 23rd October at Bloomsbury Theatre to explore some of these questions.

Together with participation from the audience, the event will explore how we can have constructive conversations – not only across society, but within our personal lives.

Speakers:

  • Bobby Duffy (Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Policy Institute, King’s College London)
  • David Johnston (Former Chief Executive, Social Mobility Foundation)
  • Fraser Nelson (Editor, The Spectator) – Chair
  • Timi Okuwa (CEO of the Black Equity Organisation (BEO))
  • Kwajo Tweneboa (25-year-old activist from south London)
  • Rawleka Wilson (Person of Colour Students' Officer and undergraduate psychology student, )

This event is part of ’s Disagreeing Well series, which looks at how we can coexist in a diverse community where many differences of opinion are passionately held and personally felt.  

Disagreeing Well is an essential life skill that brings enormous benefits to individuals and society.  By approaching disagreements with respect, curiosity and a desire to find common ground, we can nurture understanding and solve shared problems. 

This event series seeks to explore what is required to help people to Disagree Well. Looking across different topics from ‘disagreeing in the online world’ to ‘disagreeing in public life’, a diverse range of speakers will share their insight, knowledge and personal experiences about how we can learn to disagree well, and reflect upon what happens when we do not.  

Follow us on LinkedIn, Meta and X #DisagreeingWell

This event will include discussions about complex topics and themes, with audience participation and debate. Whilst under 18’s are welcome, they must attend with an adult who understands the nature of this event.

About the Speakers

Fraser Nelson - Chair

Editor at The Spectator

headshot of Fraser Nelson

Fraser Nelson has been editor of The Spectator since 2009 and has overseen a doubling of the magazine’s sales in a market that fell by two-thirds. He is also a columnist with The Daily Telegraph and is on the board of the Centre for Social Justice. He has presented two Channel Four documentaries on the subject of inequality and writes as often as he can get away with about the dynamics of the British labour market.

Bobby Duffy

Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London

headshot of Bobby Duffy

Bobby has worked across most public policy areas in his career of 30 years in policy research and evaluation, including being seconded to the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit.

Bobby sits on several advisory boards, including chairing the Campaign for Social Science. His first book, , was published by Atlantic Books in several countries, drawing on a set of global studies on how people misperceive key social realities. His latest book, , challenges myths and stereotypes around generational trends.

David Johnston

Former Chief Executive at Social Mobility Foundation

photo of David Johnston

David was MP for Wantage (2019-24) and the Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing (2023-24) and his role involved overseeing the Government’s expansion of childcare, reforms to the systems for children with Special Educational Needs and children in care, and Family Hubs.

Prior to 2019, he spent 16 years running organisations for disadvantaged children and young people, including growing the Social Mobility Foundation from a team of 3 to a national charity with 7 offices around the country and a network of more than 200 private & public sector employers supporting it. He received an OBE for services to social mobility and education in 2018.

David was born on a council estate in East London, went to a school where only 20% of people passed 5 GCSEs and was the first person in his family to stay in education beyond 16, graduating from Oxford University in 2003.

Timi Okuwa

CEO at Black Equity Organisation (BEO)

photo of Timi Okuwa

The Black Equity Organisation (BEO) is an organisation committed to dismantling systemic racism and improving the socio-economic conditions of Black communities across the UK. Under her visionary leadership, BEO collaborates with major corporations to expand opportunities and create a more inclusive business environment. Timi brings a wealth of experience from her significant roles in global consulting firms and her extensive public service, having served as a magistrate for 11 years. Additionally, she is deeply involved in her local community, serving as the Chair of her local church’s Community Interest Company (CIC).

Kwajo Tweneboa

25-year-old activist from south London

photo of Kwajo Tweneboa

Kwajo Tweneboa, a 25-year-old activist from south London, uses social media to give a voice to social housing tenants and expose the derelict living conditions that many are forced to endure. After publicly shaming his housing association into carrying out repairs on his family’s flat after a year of inaction, Kwajo has travelled the country putting pressure on politicians and social housing providers to improve living standards. 

Rawleka Wilson

Lead at People of Colour Network, 's Student Union

photo of Rawleka Wilson

Rawleka Wilson is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion and is currently pursuing a BSc in Psychology at University College London (). She leads the People of Colour Network in 's Student Union and works to bridge the BAME awarding gap in the Faculty of Brain Sciences.

Rawleka plays a pivotal role in advocating for underrepresented groups within the academic community, with a strong interest in decolonizing the curriculum and bridging cultural gaps by organising exciting inter-society events. She is committed to holding accountable and ensuring transparency in its policies, with a zero-tolerance stance on racism.

Her dedication to neurodiversity is reflected in her role as a Literacy Specialist, where she supports children with ADHD and dyslexia, linking her advocacy for inclusion and equity to her hands-on work in education.