Responding to austerity: Learning events

[Lucie Stephens]

NEF (the New Economics Foundation) invites you to our free learning events to explore how groups in the UK can respond most effectively and creatively to austerity – looking at what charities, activists, campaigners, local authorities, housing associations and funders have already done; and what they might do in the future.

We are holding two learning events on the following dates:

Tuesday 19 May 2015, 10.00am – 5.00pm in central London (The Foundry, Vauxhall, London SE11 5RR)

Thursday 11 June 2015, 10.00am – 5.00pm in Birmingham (The Drum, Aston,Birmingham B6 4UU)

The learning events will build on our latest research, released in February 2015,Responses to austerity: How groups across the UK are adapting, challenging and imagining alternatives.

 

This research discusses an array of creative responses to government cuts. It shows how groups have been adapting through mobilising community capacity, attracting new sources of funding, and providing people with advice and support. As well as adapting, groups have been challenging austerity by building up evidence in the case against austerity and refuting the narrative on which it stands.

Further still, this research shows how some actors have been imagining alternatives to austerity – from local economic development to preventative services and policies. These events will be an opportunity to learn about the full range of responses in detail, in order to put them into practice in a wide range of contexts – from local councils, to campaigns, charities and NGOs.

 

Panel discussion with Sarah Lyall (NEF), Stathis Kouvelakis (Syriza Central Committee &King’s College London) John Tizard (independent advisor to local government), Rachael Orr (Oxfam), Sarah Day (UK Uncut & Focus E15 Mothers), Clare Payne (Barrow Cadbury), David Warner (London Funders) and Maxie Hayles (BARAC).

 

Interactive learning sessions with Cllr Matthew Brown and Derek Whyte (Preston City Council), Marina Prentoulis (Syriza UK and University of East Anglia), Cllr Frank Hont (Liverpool City Council), Laura McGrath (Psychologists Against Austerity), Jessie Barnard and George Woods (NEON) and others. There will be plenty of opportunity for networking during the catered lunch and tea breaks.

 

Click here to reserve your place and please forward onto contacts you feel would be interested in attending.