What’s going on at the party conferences 2024

As the weather cools down and the nights draw in, it’s time once again for public affairs professionals to descend upon towns and cities across the country for the annual party conferences.

The Liberal Democrats finished up yesterday in Brighton, and the next few weeks will see the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool (22-25 September) followed by the Conservative Party Conference the week after in Birmingham (29 September – 2 October).

Following the seismic change in the makeup of parliament following the general election in the summer, anticipation is high. We decided to put together a list of events that Bond and our members are hosting this year, across the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences.

These events are a chance to engage politicians with the incredible work done by our sector and shape policy debates about the future of international development, as well as liaise with colleagues in the sector. In a year with a significant number of new MPs, the opportunity for engagement is great. We’ll be at all the major conference, and we hope to see as many of you there as possible.

Bond events

Conservative Party Conference

Sunday 29th September

20.30-22.00

Location: Andante Room, Hyatt Regency Birmingham

Speakers: Andrew Mitchell MP – Shadow Foreign Secretary, Romilly Greenhill (Bond CEO), more speakers tbc

Monday 30th September

11.15 Coalition for Global Prosperity & The HALO Trust

Birmingham ICC : Executive Room 1

The Key to Prosperity: Making Development and Trade Mutually Supportive

James Cowan CBE DSO (The HALO Trust, Chief Executive Officer)
H.E. Linda Scott (Namibian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
Chaired by Sophie Malby (Coalition for Global Prosperity, Communications Manager)
Sidney Yankson (Garden Chambers, Barrister-at-Law)
Rachel Carnac (Metal Events Limited, Co-Founder)

Development and trade are intertwined in national economic growth, fostering international cooperation and elevating living standards. British-funded landmine clearance in conflict zones saves lives, boosts long-term community prosperity and opens up opportunities for trade. This panel will discuss how British leadership in de-mining not only underscores Britain being a force for good, but also highlights the value of trading relationships.

15.30 Coalition for Global Prosperity, United Against Malnutrition and Hunger & Action Against Hunger UK

Birmingham ICC : Executive Room 1

Food for Empowerment: How Can Food Security Unlock the Futures of Women and Girls

Rebecca Smith MP (-, Member of Parliament )
Dame Harriett Baldwin DBE MP (Conservative Party, Shadow Minister for Development )
Amy Smith (United Against Malnutrition and Hunger, Head of Advocacy and Policy)
Kate Munro (Action Against Hunger, Head of Advocacy)
Chaired by Zoe Swanick (Coalition for Global Prosperity, Swanick)

Hunger affects health, education, economic development, and social stability. Malnourished children face learning difficulties, and undernourished women struggle to support their families. Tackling hunger is crucial for development and stability. This panel will explore how prioritising food security in British foreign policy can position Britain as a force for good while focusing on empowering women and girls.

Labour Party Conference

Sunday 22nd September

Bond Drinks Reception with LCID (Labour Campaign for International Development) – 20:00 – 21:30

Location: Arena Room 3, ACC

Speakers: Anneliese Dodds MP – Minister for International Development, Emily Thornberry MP – newly elected Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, David Taylor MP, Paulette Hamilton MP, Romilly Greenhill (Bond CEO), Heather Staff (Labour Campaign for International Development)

22 September 2024

HALO

“Tackling Conflict in a Volatile World”. ACC Arena Room 1 Hosted by HALO, MAG, LFPG & LCID. – 17:00 – 18:30

Action Against Hunger, United Against Malnutrition and Hunger

Partnerships for Change: Improving Health and Nutrition Outcomes for Women and Girls – 12:30-14:00

Protection Approaches, Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights, Kings College London Centre for Grand Strategy

Atrocity Prevention and Progressive Realism: The Future of UK Grand Strategy – 17:00 – 18:30

Corporate Justice Coalition

Attending and joint event with Labour Campaign for Human Rights, hosted by SME4Labour: Making it work: implementing a Business, Human Rights and Environment Act – 14:00

Monday 23rd September

Progressive realism: What does this mean for international development? – Bond with LFPG (Labour Foreign Policy Group) and the Scottish International Development Alliance – 10:00 – 11:00

Location: The Botanist, Albert Dock

Speakers: Emily Thornberry MP – newly elected Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Romilly Greenhill (Bond CEO), Peymana Assad (LPFG), Frances Guy (SIDA), more speakers tbc

Labour’s vision for equitable international development partnerships– Bond with StopAIDS – 14:00 – 15:00

Location: The Botanist, Albert Dock

Speakers: Leigh Ingham MP (invited) – Leigh is the newly elected MP for Stafford with a background in international development, Priya Lukka – an author and economist who works with policymakers, philanthropists and activists to improve outcomes for groups of people most marginalized by the economic system, Dr. Danny Gotto (joining virtually) – Executive Director of I4Dev and Chair of the Kampala Initiative. I4DEV is a grass-roots organisation, based in Uganda, working to champion innovations that will solve society’s most intractable health and education challenges, Dumi Gatsha – Dumi is a feminist human rights defender and founder Success Capital NGO, an LGBTIQ+ youth led, managed and serving grassroots organisation. Chair – Dr Pete Baker – Deputy Director, Global Health Policy, Center for Global Development

23 September 2024

Send My Friend to School and Oxfam

Roundtable focused on Education in Emergencies and Education financing with Send My Friend Campaign Champions and Chairperson (TBC). Open event in Youth Zone. – 4:15

Malaria No More UK

Breakfast Roundtable – life science focus – 8:30 – 10:00
Panel Event – Gavi/Global Fund focus – 12:00 – 13:30

CARE International UK (with LCID and LFPG)

Leonardo Hotel, Meeting Room 1 “Feminism: a Catalyst for Labour’s Progressive realism?” 17:00 – 18:30

Sightsavers

Exhibition stall incorporating work on sight, disability inclusion/rights and NTDs

Oxfam, Christian Aid, Cafod

Breakfast Roundtable – 9.30-10.30 AM

NEU

How tackling the global teacher shortage can unlock the UK’s development agenda – ACC 6, Youth Zone – 10.30 – 11.30

Global Health reception in partnership with Malaria No More and Bond – 15:00 – 16:30

Location: The Botanist, Albert Dock

Speakers: Speakers include Minister Catherine West, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the FCDO, Jess Toale MP, Peymana Assad (LFPG), Heather Staff (LCID) and Victoria Fowler (Malaria no More)

24 September 2024

UNICEF UK

Panel event on global health and development with Chatham House, GSK and UNICEF UK – 9am – 10am