- Panel discussion
- Society
- Manchester
- 23 April 2025
Exploring Immigration: A Dialogue on Building Our Shared Future
With Qaisra Shahraz, Erinma Bell and Darryl Morris
23 April 2025
6.30 pm
Manchester
M2 5PD
Manchester Central Library
St. Peter's Square
Manchester
M2 5PD
Get directions
FREE but booking essential
Wheelchair accessible
Overview
Join us for an illuminating evening of honest conversation about one of the most significant forces shaping our society. As Manchester continues to evolve into an increasingly diverse metropolis, we’re bringing together remarkable community leaders to explore how immigration enriches our city while thoughtfully addressing the challenges of creating a truly integrated society.
Tickets are free but booking is essential. To book your ticket, please visit MACFEST’s Eventbrite page
Our Distinguished Speakers
Qaisra Shahraz MBE JP FRSA
An acclaimed British-Pakistani novelist and activist, she has dedicated her life to weaving connections between communities. As founder of MACFEST (Manchester’s Muslim Arts and Culture Festival), she creates spaces where different cultures can meet, share stories, and discover their common ground. Her work demonstrates how art and culture can transform understanding between people of all backgrounds.
Erinma Bell MBE DL JP
Brings invaluable perspective as a British-Nigerian community peace activist, councillor, and pioneering leader. Her groundbreaking work in Moss Side and Longsight has shown how strong communities can overcome serious challenges through cooperation and mutual support. As the first woman honoured with a sculpture in Manchester Town Hall / Central Library, her legacy inspires new approaches to building safer, more connected neighbourhoods.
Topics for Discussion
Together, they’ll explore questions that matter to all of us: How do we honour both shared identity and cultural distinctiveness? What role can education play in bringing communities together? How can we support newcomers while strengthening existing community bonds? Drawing from their rich personal and professional experiences, our speakers will share insights into creating a society where everyone can thrive.
Event Chair
Guiding this important conversation will be Darryl Morris, the award-winning broadcaster, filmmaker, and writer known for his thoughtful approach to complex social issues. His skilled facilitation will help us move beyond simplified debates to explore practical paths forward.
Audience Participation
This evening isn’t just about listening – it’s about participating in shaping our future. We warmly invite audience members to share their experiences, questions, and ideas as we work together to envision and build a more connected Manchester.
Join us as we explore how our city’s diversity can become its greatest strength.
Practical Information
Tickets are free but booking is essential. To book your ticket, please visit MACFEST’s Eventbrite page
Accessibility Information
Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk
Qaisra Shahraz MBE JP FRSA
An acclaimed British-Pakistani novelist and activist, Qaisra Shahraz has dedicated her life to weaving connections between communities. As founder of MACFEST (Manchester’s Muslim Arts and Culture Festival), she creates spaces where different cultures can meet, share stories, and discover their common ground. Her work demonstrates how art and culture can transform understanding between people of all backgrounds.
Professor Erinma Bell MBE, DL, JP
Professor Erinma Bell co-founded the Community Alliance for Renewal Inner South Manchester Area (also known as CARISMA Services). This is a front-line community-based group set up to offer life-chances for people in the community by giving them positive alternatives other than violent street, gun and gang crimes.
Erinma’s transformative work has promoted social cohesion within communities, in turn bringing about peace and conflict resolution. Her highly successful ‘models for change’ have enabled a 92% decrease in gun and gang crime in Manchester.
She continues to lead on work around issues such as Restorative Justice, Peace and Conflict Resolution as well as Peace Making, Peace Keeping and Peace Building within an urban environment. Erinma’s passion for community peace has seen her travel widely nationally and internationally to share her stories and experiences with others seeking peace in communities across the world.
Darryl Morris
Darryl Morris is an award-winning radio and television presenter. He currently hosts the weekend evening show on Times Radio – and has written for The Times, the Guardian, The Huffington Post and Grazia magazine.
Darryl is a regular panellist on Channel 5’s The Jeremy Vine Show and can often be found reviewing the news on Good Morning Britain and BBC Breakfast. He also produces and presents documentaries – most recently Dark Patterns, investigating malicious web design, for BBC World Service.
