Hate in football and why students must cast an EU vote – inequalities conference had it all covered

The Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities and a key member of football’s equality and inclusion organisation joined a host of influential speakers for a high-profile conference at the University of Northampton.

Kate Green MP and Kick It Out’s Troy Townsend – father of Newcastle and England winger, Andros Townsend – gave keynote speeches at The Approaches to Inequalities Conference, which took place on Wednesday 22 June at Sunley Conference Centre, Park Campus.

The event shone the spotlight on legal perspectives on equality, and inequality in sport, conflict, healthcare, education and the Criminal Justice System.

Ms Green made a passionate case for the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union – a full report and video can be viewed here – while Mr Townsend outlined how Kick It Out challenges the widespread problem of discrimination in the game, from grass roots to the Premier League.

Other speakers included representatives from Runnymede Trust, the UK’s leading independent race equality think tank, Northamptonshire Police, Prison Reform Trust, Offender Management Service and academics from the University.

Event organiser, Dr Melanie Crofts, said: “The conference was an opportunity to discuss equality issues in a number of areas and to consider some radical approaches to inequalities.

“Although we have made some progress in this area, there is still a lot to be done to address deep rooted societal and institutional inequalities.

“As Kate Green MP highlighted, the austerity agenda has widened inequalities and women, the disabled and BME communities have been disproportionately affected.

“The speakers from Kick It Out and the Criminal Justice System highlighted that we still have some way to go to address racism and discrimination.”

Listen to Dr Crofts and some of her colleagues from the University talking about the conference on BBC Radio Northampton website (item starts at 1:16).

Dr Jim Lusted was also interviewed at the conference by BBC Radio Northampton  – listen here for his thoughts on racism in football (starts 1:56).