London 2011: Are We Kind Enough?
10th November 2011, 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Somerset House, The Strand, WC2R 1LA
A mini-conference organised by the UK Kindness Movementt in association with the Big Society Network and the RSA Women Speaker Network takes place at Somerset House on Thursday 10th November 2011 between 6.30pm and 8.30pm.
Following the alarming scenes last August, when the city seemed more a war zone than a top metropolis, many people are asking `What has happened to London?’. Not so many years ago we were pilloried as manners-obsessed, not aggressive enough in competition and too hospitable for our own good. Today it’s the reverse. Reports of neglect in hospitals, rude behaviour in shops and on tubes, buses and trains, blatant mis-selling of goods and services are in the press daily. But is that an accurate picture, when recent research by The Young Foundation suggests that most British people care about and have had positive experiences of civility?
In the lead up to the second Kindness Day UK on November 13th, the date of World Kindness Day prominent community leaders and kindness campaigners examine the situation from different views and ask what steps we can take as urbanites to revive our instinct for kindness.
Chaired by Judith Perle, FRSA, co-author of The Network Effect, speakers on the subject so far include:
Steve Moore, FRSA, CEO of the Big Society Network
Louise Burfitt-Dons, co-founder of Kindness Day UK
Dan Thompson, organiser of London Riot Clean Up
Dr Paula Boddington, Senior Research Fellow in Ethics and Lecturer at Oxford University Paula Boddington
James Max, journalist and radio presenter from LBC
Mark Williamson, Director of Action for Happiness
Contributions also from:
George Monck, Chief Executive of CleanupUK
Deborah Wharton, Director ID Choices
Tom Andrews, Founder, Chief Executive of People United
Benita Matofska Chief Sharer, People Who Share
Vijay Rana, Publisher – The Journal of Health and Happiness
The agenda will consist of presentations by our main speakers, after which, the floor will be opened for comments and a few attendees will also have the opportunity to deliver their own two-minute response to the question 'Are we kind enough?'. If you would like to be one of the two-minute speakers, please email events@thebigsociety.co.uk with your name, organisation and a summary of your speech. To book a place at this fascinating free event http://arewekindenough.eventbrite.com/
