Date: Thursday 9 November 2023
Time: 14:00 – 19:30
Venue: The Black-E, 1 Great George Street, Liverpool, England L1 5EW
Tickets: Free via Eventbrite here >>
Inquiries: [email protected] | 0203-970-0709
Explore the way religion and worldviews are interwoven into the life of Liverpool, as people from long-standing and diverse communities share their stories and open the window into their world.
Join us for workshops and presentations with journalists, teachers, academics, religious leaders and invited guests, making new contacts and networking with local media representatives who are looking for stories.
The intention is to raise understanding between religious groups and the media, exploring new stories, breaking down misunderstanding, and showcasing the expertise of RE teachers and academics from local universities.
Liverpool is one of 6 cities chosen to host this unique networking opportunity this year, along with Bristol, Bradford, Coventry, Newcastle and Norwich. Attendance is free, but you must register beforehand.
The event is hosted by the Religion Media Centre, an impartial and independent organisation aiming to increase further cohesion and understanding in society by helping the media report and understand religion and belief. Join our mailing lists here >>
This project is generously funded by the Culham St Gabriel’s Trust.
Programme
| 2.00pm | Coffee and tea With stalls and leaflets from faith groups around the room |
| 2.10pm | Introduction with presenters Leo Devine, former senior editor in BBC regions; and Mick Ord, former Managing editor Radio Merseyside Welcome: Alison Navarro, Race Equality Hub programme director, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Bishop Tom Williams, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus, Archdiocese of Liverpool – What is the Religion Media Centre and why are we all here? – What are the concerns about the relationship between religion and the media in Liverpool? |
| 2.20pm | Tell Us Your Story – with guests including: Malik Al Nazir, poet and author who was on the brink of a life of crime at 18 before civil rights activist Gil Scott- Heron took him under his wing and mentored him through education and the arts. On the way, he became a Muslim and adopted his new name. Stephen Yip, founder of the charity “Kind” working with disadvantaged children in Liverpool Patrick Graham, Liverpool 8 Community Reporter, Liverpool Echo Paul Smalley, Teaching Religious Education in Liverpool Fr Taras Khomych Ukrainian Church in Liverpool Academics from Liverpool Hope University, understanding the religious dimension of the war in Ukraine Students and Sixth formers from local schools tell us how they pick up their knowledge of religion from the media |
| 2.50pm | Presentation: the religious landscape of Liverpool – with Ken Pye, historian |
| 3.10pm | Media panel: Who are the local media, what stories are they interested in and tips of the trade? Chaired by Leo Devine, with a panel including • Jack Walton from The Liverpool Post • Kate Squire, head of BBC in the North West • Lucy West, Head of News at ITV Granada |
| 4.00pm | Networking and coffee / tea break |
| 4.10pm | Tell us your story – Opportunity for faith groups and individuals to present their stories of interest to journalists, through a variety of workshops and conversations. |
| 5.10pm | Plenary and evaluation. What are the next steps? |
| 5.20pm | Refreshments |
| 5.30pm | Interviews / conversations reviewing the afternoon |
| 6.45pm | Event ends |
