The University of Manchester recently produced an exploratory research report on `Impacts of the Bedroom Tax on children and their education in Manchester', which revealed some truly horrific happenings to families in Manchester...
Housing benefit payments were being reduced by £11 a week on average, parents were cutting back on food, heating and other essentials, and some were unable to afford school uniforms, shoes and warm coats for their children. Meanwhile, school staff reported how children were emotionally distressed by the effects of poverty, which was affecting their ability to learn; while sharing a bedroom with younger siblings meant disturbed sleep and the lack of a quiet place to do homework.
...Schools and community groups were reallocating their finances, staffing and care services, including clothing, meals and advice. Pupil Premium funding, intended to support learning among pupils from low-income families, had been used to extend breakfast clubs, while one school had opened its own account with a shoe shop...
All horrific stuff (read the full report – click here), and now the University is building on the report by launching a Global Development Institute, the largest dedicated development research and teaching institute in Europe, with the aim to `identify and address global inequalities, creating and sharing knowledge that promotes social justice'.
The Institute launches this Wednesday with an Inequality event, featuring a keynote lecture on the subject by Winnie Byanyima, Ugandan aeronautical engineer, politician, diplomat and Oxfam Executive Director...
"Half of all the world's wealth is owned by 62 people, who could all fit onto a single double-decker bus" states the Institute "How have we let this happen? What does this mean for the world's poorest people and what should we do about it?
"While we've seen huge reductions in poverty over the last twenty years, finishing the job, let alone making the gains sustainable will require seismic changes right around the world" it adds "The University of Manchester has been at the forefront of Development Studies for over sixty years. With the creation of the Global Development Institute, we want to lead critical thinking, teaching and research over the next sixty years too."
Manchester and Salford have the highest levels of poverty in Greater Manchester and come right near the top for the whole of England, and the Institute wants to make links with the community to help with its research. Everyone is invited to attend the launch of what could be a vital change agent.
Global Development Institute Launch
Wednesday 17th February 5pm-6:30pm
University of Manchester
University Place, Lecture Theatre B
Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL GB
The event is free but it is important to register in advance – click here for further information and to register.
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