Keynote speech to NCVO annual conference – Why we need to make this the century of the citizen

Last week I spoke at the annual conference of National Council for Voluntary Organisations in London, which was celebrating its centenary. At a time when our politics are divided, inequality is rising, trust is plummeting and the planet is burning, the role of charities, activists and civil society in building deeper connections to achieve positive social impact is more important, and urgent, than ever. I am convinced that now is not the time to tinker around the margins, making incremental changes here and there – but to think deeply about how we come together to make the 21st century an era in which we, as citizens, are more empowered, more connected and more equal. You can watch the keynote speech here, read it in full here, or read a summary on The Independent.