Taking place at York’s Guildhall on Friday, June 6, the event will bring together policy experts, academics, and politicians for two ‘Festival Focus’ sessions.
The sessions are entitled ‘Economic Growth: Who actually benefits?’ and ‘Sustainable Futures Through Regional Growth.’
Paul Kissack, group chief executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, who will chair both sessions, said: “In the centenary year of Joseph Rowntree’s death, it’s vital we follow his lead in thinking about innovative, practical ways to improve the lives of people on low incomes.
“Through these sessions with carefully selected panel members, we hope to form ideas for how we can improve the living standards of families both right here in York and across the country.
“Rowntree’s legacy can serve as our inspiration at the York Festival of Ideas to show how our city and region has the potential to lead progress towards a more equal future, free from poverty, where communities and the environment can flourish.”
The Festival Focus sessions, presented under the banner of ‘Making Waves: Building on Joseph Rowntree’s Legacy,’ mark 100 years since the death of the York confectionery businessman, social reformer, and philanthropist, Joseph Rowntree.
Speakers include Danny Sriskandarajah, chief executive of the New Economics Foundation; Hetan Shah, chief executive of the British Academy; and York Central MP Rachael Maskell.
Other speakers include Kate Pickett, co-author of ‘The Spirit Level’; Ruth Curtice, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation; and Ryan Shorthouse, founder of Bright Blue.
Joan Concannnon, director of York Festival of Ideas, said: “We are delighted to work again with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation – one of our most enduring partners – to interrogate crucial issues around economic growth and inequalities of wealth.
“At a time of global geopolitical instability and rising prices, it’s vital that we look at ways of closing the gap between the richest and poorest in our society, as well as taking advantage of opportunities arising from new devolved powers.
“The power of York Festival of Ideas is in bringing people with different ideas, experiences, and expertise together to try to understand complex problems and to find solutions.
“We believe that offering these events for free empowers anyone impacted by poverty and inequality to come and have their say on what needs to be done.”
Free tickets are still available for the ‘Sustainable Futures Through Regional Growth’ session.
More information and booking details are available via https://yorkfestivalofideas.com/2025/
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