Description
Across much of the democratic world, debates around free speech, protest, surveillance, citizenship and state power are becoming increasingly common.
Bringing together cultural commentator Myriam Francois, and former South African ambassador and anti-apartheid activist Ebrahim Rasool, this major conversation explores the tensions emerging at the heart of modern liberal democracies.
From securitisation and Islamophobia to selective freedoms and the shrinking space for dissent, the discussion asks whether democratic societies are becoming more fearful, more restrictive and more imbalanced in the way rights and freedoms are experienced, and who ultimately gets to feel truly free.
This event has changed from the original listing.
About the Speakers
Dr Myriam François
Dr Myriam Francois is an award-winning journalist, filmmaker, and presenter whose work spans television, documentary, and digital media. A former host of The Stream on Al Jazeera English, she now presents the acclaimed current affairs YouTube show The Tea with Myriam Francois. Her documentaries for the BBC, Channel 4, and Al Jazeera have been widely praised, and her directorial debut Finding Alaa (BBC/CBC) premiered at Hot Docs and the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo, was selected for BAFTA consideration, and won Best Documentary at Flicker Fest 2024. She holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Oxford and speaks internationally on journalism under fire, civil liberties, feminism, and Islamophobia.
Ebrahim Rasool
Ebrahim Rasool matriculated at Livingstone High and graduated at University of CapeTown with an Arts degree and teaching diploma. He has Honorary Doctorates from both Roosevelt and Chatham Universities in the USA and is a Senior Fellow at both Georgetown and Rutgers Universities. He has recently been appointed as Adjunct Professor of Humanities at the Nelson Mandela University.
He has a long history of leadership in the anti-apartheid struggle, leading student boycotts in 1976 and 1980, then resistance at university, forming Muslim and interfaith movements against apartheid, and culminating in leadership positions in the United Democratic Front and the African National Congress.
He then served as Ambassador to the USA during the Presidency of Barack Obama. Currently, he serves as the Global Ambassador for Humaniti International-Africa advancing development, advocacy and global engagement. His leadership remains influential in governance, diplomacy and social justice worldwide.
About the Chair
Humza Yousaf
Humza Yousaf served as Scotland’s First Minister from 29th March 2023 – 7th May 2024. Upon assuming office, Humza became the first Muslim leader of a Western European nation. Elected to the Office of First Minister at the age of 37, he became Scotland’s youngest First Minister, and the first Person of Colour to become First Minister of Scotland. He has served in several government roles in twelve years as a Minister in the Scottish Government, including; Minister for External Affairs and International Development, Minister for Transport, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care. He became the first Person of Colour and Muslim member of the Scottish Government in Scotland’s history when he was made Minister for External Affairs and International Development in 2012, aged 27. He was also appointed to lead the SNP’s campaign against Brexit in 2016. Humza is the only First Minister to have made the front cover of Time Magazine, where he was described as an “extraordinary leader” and “trailblazer”.
Join Our Mailing List
By submitting this form you agree to our Privacy Policy and to receive marketing emails, including e-newsletters and event updates from Bradford Literature Festival.