Our events and debates aim to provide a space for people to share, think, contribute and inform.
The nature of our debates is effervescent, open, funky, fresh, insightful, but rich in intellect and rigour. We aim to engage those who may have a keen interest in social, cultural and political debate, but may not traditionally participate in the necessary networks to contribute or participate in these discussions. We certainly feel our approach to discussing issues is kinda unique!
Previous events have included:
- 20 years of the UK Hip-Hop Connection: so what’s next? held at Rivington Place Gallery, Shoreditch, London
This debate celebrated two decades of the publication of the seminal ‘Hip Hop Connection’ (HHC) magazine. We used this landmark to invite attendees to join the panel and assess UK hip-hop and its associated culture; Hip Hop’s associated perceptions; consider the relationship with other current musical genres (Grime etc); as well as consider the frequently discussed ‘Hip Hop culture’ in the UK, and abroad.
Pane l:
Andy Cowan
Senior editor and Lead Publisher of the Hip Hop Connection magazine..
Tom Brown
founder and owner of Lex Records, a progressive music label, with an excellent reputation for supporting Hip Hop in the UK and abroad. Lex Records engages artists from across the musical spectrum, and currently work with MF Doom, Kid ACNE, and Dangermouse.
Lindsay Johns
Writer and broadcaster . He wrote an article on the new breed of Black Conservatives in the Evening Standard , an essay on re-thinking notions of black masculinity as well as making regular contributions to the influential Guardian web/ blogsite, Comment is Free, where he provides analysis on a number of issues which relate to the experience of black America.
- London – Whose brand is it anyway? held at the Truman’s Brewery- an independent UEN production.
A panel of some of the capital’s leading cultural and creative commentators discussed how our capital is promoted, how this compares to the realities of life in London, and the social and political implications if our perceptions are indeed inaccurate
Panel :
Munira Mirza
Founding member of the Manifesto Club, Presenter of ‘The Business of Race’, a series for BBC Radio Four on race and diversity, and co-authored Living Apart Together: British Muslims and the Paradox of Multiculturalism;
Nirpal Singh Dhaliwhal,
A columnist who regularly contributes to a number of the national broadsheets including The Times, The Independent, The Guardian as well as the Evening Standard, He is also the author of ‘Tourism’ described as a ‘filthy, unflinching and politically incorrect take on modern Britain…’
Rachel Pillai
Advisor to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Communities and Local Government, and author of 'Consuming Culture’, and analysis of how advertising shapes our thinking and how this is linked to cultural diversity.
Martin Reid
Business Development Manager at the Cultural Industries Development Agency (CIDA) leading on CIDA’s community strategy, and their London 2012 legacy activities.
Piers Roberts
co-founder of Designersblock, the leading curators of many international shows and major design events
- Sounds of Political Freedom, held at the Kings Head Theatre.
Targeting the musical enthusiast and the more conscientious end of the musical spectrum, this evening of entertainment and debate, aims to bring together a panel of music journalists, alongside social and political commentators to question the current status, relevance and impact of music of a political and protest nature.
The discussion will celebrate and assess the role of contributors to the protest song movement and ask whether we have seen the end of such music on a mainstream level.
Panel :
Robin Denselow
Music Journalist (The Guardian); Reporter BBC Newsnight, Panorama; author of When The Music's Over – The story of political pop
Professor Paul Gilroy
Anthony Giddens Professorship in Social Theory at the London School of Economics; author of Small Acts and Ain't no Black in the Union Jack
Eric Soul
Activist, DJ (Afrogroove), Judge / Panellist for Radio 3 World Music Awards 2007)
Stuart Baker
Founder, Soul Jazz Records (Sounds of the Universe)
The above images are taken from UEN events.
UEN activities focus on key issues, which affect the capital’s cultural, social and political landscape. Held at leading venues across London, UEN events provide excellent debate and topical discussion, with leading panellists from across the capital’s social and cultural spectrum.
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