Opening session
Empowering our future: Why diversity, inclusion and social justice matter
Monday, 24 August
14:30 – 15:30 CET
Social justice is about creating a fair, diverse and inclusive society. Today, many people are still discriminated against because of their gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, or disability. While governments, NGOs and the private sector are making some progress in fighting bias, putting principles of diversity and inclusion into practice, or ensuring a fair system of justice, there is still more to be done.
The plenary session will provide a common understanding of these issues and their meaning, exposing gaps and discussing the case for why diversity, inclusion and social justice matter within society, and the role of lawyers in driving and supporting a positive change. Speakers will share information, initiatives and tools to ensure better access to justice and a more diverse and inclusive world.
As an international association cherishing these values, we invite all of you to join our plenary session to discuss principles and forms of equality shaped around diversity. Joined by esteemed speakers with extensive knowledge and expertise within the field, this session will remind us once again the importance of diversity, inclusion and social justice.
AIJA President Paola Fudakowska
AIJA Human Rights Committee:
Congress Work Coordinators:
Please register to the congress to attend this session.
Gilly is currently External Affairs Director at Social and Sustainable Capital (SASC). She joined the firm in 2018 at Fund Development Director to build and launch the now successful Social and Sustainable Housing fund. The fund enables frontline support charities to purchase high quality housing for their vulnerable clients.
Gilly has extensive experience of large-scale project management in the public, private and third sectors. Prior to joining SASC she worked in youth services where she helped charities take on social investment allowing them to scale their work. Before that, Gilly spent 14 years in journalism at the BBC, where she edited the award-winning Today programme and co-ordinated global radio coverage of major UK events.
She has a Masters in Inequality and Social Sciences from the LSE and believes that it is incumbent on western societies to deliver equity for all if they want to truly flourish. Gilly volunteers on projects, run by the Order of Malta, that supports marginalised communities across the globe. She is a former volunteer, trustee and advisor for its UK youth branch, the Order of Malta Volunteers