Vandu Languages and DRI’s Annual Conference Speakers | Part 1

Have you secured your spot at our Annual Conference yet? Scheduled for the 6th of March, 2024, the event will encourage discussions about the current landscape of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).?

The eagerly anticipated moment has arrived for the grand unveiling of our keynote speaker, conference chair and closing speaker. They are set to contribute valuable experiences and ideas during our Annual Conference, around the theme 'EDI – A Tick-box Exercise? Embedding Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion to Transform Organisational Culture.'

Let's extend a warm welcome and applause to this esteemed group of local experts in EDI.

Professor David Ruebain

Our keynote speaker, Professor David Ruebain, is the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Culture, Diversity, and Inclusion at Sussex University. Additionally, he serves as a consultant to the Premier League on equality issues.?

In October 2022 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Law in recognition of outstanding contributions to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, and his dedicated efforts in advancing human rights for disabled individuals.

At our Annual Conference, Professor David will discuss the topic ‘Can the Law Deliver Inclusion?’, covering the evolution of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in the UK, the role of advocates for EDI in legal and social frameworks, the opportunities and shortcomings in current law, and proposed strategies for improvement.

Kevin Richmond

Kevin Richmond serves as the founding Chief Executive of Sussex Community Foundation, a registered charity dedicated to raising funds from local individuals and providing grants to charities and community groups across Sussex. Under his leadership, Sussex Community Foundation has become one of the ten largest and fastest-growing community foundations in the UK.

In addition to our guest speakers, we are honoured to have Kevin as the Conference Chair for the evening. As the leader of one of the largest community-focused organisations in the local area, Kevin is deeply committed to fostering a supportive culture and creating initiatives aimed at strengthening other community organisations. His dedication and leadership make him an excellent addition to our conference team.

Lela Kogbara

Lela Kogbara was a senior leader in the public sector for 25 years, and she is the Co-Director of Place Matters. She has also worked with NHS England and the Department for Education, focusing on enhancing employment prospects and improving access to apprenticeships for individuals with learning and other disabilities.

Lela will serve as the closing speaker at our Annual Conference. With her extensive expertise in the EDI field and her significant experience in healthcare and education, she is uniquely positioned to synthesise the insights shared by our other speakers and the audience throughout the conference. Her comprehensive understanding of these industries will enrich the concluding remarks, leaving attendees with valuable takeaways and actionable strategies.

Ready to Attend our Annual Conference?

Join us on the 6th of March 2024 at Lewes Town Hall for a community-focused event that is free and open to the public.

We aspire to bring together leaders from the public and voluntary sectors around Sussex, representatives from local councils and the NHS, HR professionals from local private sector businesses, academic institutions, EDI leaders, and, of course, our valued linguists, customers, volunteers, and community members.

Attendees will acquire a profound understanding of the challenges encountered by communities due to existing EDI practices. Armed with this insight, they will possess the capability to critically evaluate ineffective strategies and develop innovative approaches to enhance the prospects of their teams and the communities they serve.

Running from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm, the event's agenda includes scheduled presentations from all the speakers above, an open forum for questions, networking opportunities, and a delightful buffet.

While entries are free, participants must confirm their attendance through Eventbrite.?

Feel free to extend this invitation to your network, and share your thoughts and insights in the comments section below. Don't miss out—see you there!

For any enquiries, please contact us at [email protected].