Inequality: The Enemy Between Us

The British Humanist Association presents an evening with Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson, authors of The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better

On Tuesday 16 October in Manchester Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson, authors of The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better, will present the 2012 Holyoake Lecture on Inequality: The Enemy Between Us.

With the inequalities in society increasing and a growing number of reports of children living in poverty in the UK, the topic of this event is timed to highlight some of the outcomes we can expect if we don’t address issues now. Pickett and Wilkinson, comparing life expectancy, mental health, levels of violence, teenage birth rates, drug abuse, child wellbeing, obesity rates, levels of trust, the educational performance of school children, and the strength of community life among rich countries, state that it is clear that societies which tend to do well on one of these measures tend to do well on all of them, and the ones which do badly, do badly on all of them.  The lecture aims to investigate the factors that account for the difference.

Pickett and Wilkinson will argue that the key is the amount of inequality in each society. The picture is consistent whether we compare rich countries or the 50 states of the USA - the more unequal a society is, the more ill health and social problems it has. 

The British Humanist Association, in partnership with the Greater Manchester Humanists Group, is delighted to host this event.  Sara Passmore, Head of Education and Promotion, said, ‘Inequality is divisive. It not only stops groups and individuals within our community from flourishing, but it also stops the community from reaching its full potential.  It is important that the real effect of inequality is explored and that we work together to find solutions’.

Notes:
Date:  16th October 2012

Time: Doors open 6pm for 6.30pm start – 8:30pmFull details about the event can be found at

Venue: Friends Meeting House Main Hall, 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS               

http://www.humanism.org.uk/meet-up/events/view/195

Tickets:  £7 - General admission; £5 – BHA Members and students 

Press passes and interviews:
To register your interest for a press pass or for more information, please contact Sara Passmore at the BHA on 020 7079 3586 or sara@humanism.org.uk

About the British Humanist Association:
The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.

Sara Passmore, Head of Education and Promotion, British Humanist Association. Email: sara@humanism.org.uk Telephone: 0044 207 079 3586

British Humanist Association (BHA)

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