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All around the world, democracy is under threat. Growing populist movements are threatening to seriously undermine - or even overthrow - existing democracies.
While democracy may be imperfect, it remains the system of government best placed to protect and promote justice and equality. If great democratic nations such as the U.S. and the U.K. fail to preserve democracy at home and support it across the globe, even more of the world’s population will suffer from the devastating effects of injustice and inequality.
It is vital that our young leaders of the future understand these challenges and are equipped to advocate for democracy and justice everywhere.
In 2022, our pilot UK-US Global Justice and Democracy Study Tour brought together 12 exceptional undergraduates with a special interest in global justice and democracy for the unique opportunity to engage with new peers, educators, elected officials, policymakers, and everyday citizens on the topic of global justice and democracy in a variety of educational, institutional, and cultural settings.
Our students attended seminars, study sessions and cultural visits across Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., and New York City – from Harvard University to The United States Department of State, the Immigration Museum, Howard University, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the US Senate, the United States Capitol and more, with the programme leader, the Reverend Professor Keith Magee.
Watch: UK-US Global Justice and Democracy Study Tour (2022)
Black Britain and Beyond are now fundraising to hold a Study Tour in 2024. Your contributions will help to create the opportunity for an exceptional 2024 cohort to:
• Exchange ideas and collaborate with fellow US or UK-based students who share their ambition to impact the future of democracy through art and culture, policy and politics, law and government, history, philosophy, and more.
• Forge long-lasting and international relationships and alliances that will facilitate impactful future careers advancing global justice and democracy.
• Develop some of the skills needed to become an effective leader.
• Take a deep dive into what’s happening in US democracy - and what that can tell us about global justice and democracy.
• Benefit from exposure to inspirational American and British scholars and thought leaders.
• Gain insight into and access to potential future opportunities in fields such as foreign service, international relations, public policy, law, and applied research.
• Galvanise their peers to take action to bolster democracy and fight injustice.
What our 2022 cohort said:
“I am forever grateful to have received this life enhancing experience; meeting and forming relationships with the leaders of today and of the future.”
“I not only got the chance to learn from some the most brilliant minds in the field of democracy and justice, but you gave us the time to meet and build with these people; something I will never forget.”
“The ability to meet government officials, access unparalleled institutions and their scholars, as well as have dinner with a brilliant actor are not experiences which we take lightly. Never in my life did I think I would step inside the home of the British-Consulate General or engage directly with the US ambassador to the UN.”
“Meeting such a range of people effecting social change in their own fields has opened my eyes to the many different forms that social action can take, and thinking about the number of possibilities we have to make our own impact at smaller and larger scales has given me hope.”
Black Britain and Beyond is a think tank and social platform which brings together Black Britons and allies to critically assess the significance of our unique cultures, heritages, identities and economies, and thereby devise plans to facilitate future development.
Black Britain and Beyond is housed and co-chaired by Senior Fellow and Professor Keith Magee at UCL where he holds two academic posts. It is co-chaired by Bryan Bonaparte, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Westminster.
Our 2022 cohort meeting with US UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield (August 17, 2022).
