Published: February 10, 2008
Religion and Comedy- No Laughing Matter?
Leicester's first Intercultural Conference on 15 February to explore how humour can provide 'social glue'
A groundbreaking national conference at the University of Leicester is to explore how comedy and humour can build bridges between people from different faiths and cultures.
Leicester's first Intercultural Conference takes place at the University's Vaughan College on Friday 15 February. The event is followed by a show at the Richard Attenborough Centre as part of the city's Comedy Festival.
Academics, comedians, artists, community leaders and faith representatives will address the conference on Community Bridge Building which will celebrate 2008 as the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.
Tim Haq, Chair of the East Midlands Economic Forum, one of the organisers of the event, said: "The conference will explore how community bridge building and intercultural engagement can contribute to community cohesion and to reducing racism and extremism.
"We will discuss lessons learned from a wide range of experiences, including those of our own here."
As part of the conference, a comic book set in Leicester featuring Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, Christians and others will be available.
Mr Haq added: "The conference follows on from a series of workshops and events held in Leicester which have looked in depth at how practitioners from different fields contribute to building community bridges.
"Leicester is hailed as the city set to become Britain's first 'plural city' where no ethnic group will form a majority: while some- especially sections of the media- see this as a threat, it in fact provides cause for celebration. Leicester revels in its diversity and we will have the last laugh!
"Humour is essential to breaking down barriers and this conference explores how comedy is not about offending or ridiculing others, but in celebrating the richness of each others' heritage."
The event is open to community groups, voluntary organisations, statutory organisations, central and local government agencies, European agencies and European practitioners with an interest in developing bridge-building schemes to reduce extremism.
The event is supported by the University of Leicester's Institute of Lifelong Learning in conjunction with the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Communities and Local Government and East Midlands Economic Network.
The conference starts at 1pm until 5.30pm and is followed in the evening with a comedy show at the University of Leicester's Richard Attenborough Festival. This is part of the city's Comedy Festival.
For more information/interviews-contact: mailto:info@emen.org.uk
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