Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference 2024

The NCTJ’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference 2024 is taking place on Friday, 29 November in London, in partnership with CNN.

The event will address a range of topics including employability, overcoming anxiety and generational diversity. It will also bring together bursary recipients, mentors and supporters of the Journalism Diversity Fund, which has helped almost 600 people from diverse backgrounds begin their journalism careers.

This is an invite-only event and places are limited, but if you are interested in attending please email [email protected].

Programme

10:30: Welcome
Asif Sadiq, chief global diversity, equity and inclusion officer, CNN
Joanne Forbes, chief executive, NCTJ

10:40: Employability: accessing networks and the value of mentoring
Chaired by Veronica Kan Dapaah, assistant editor, Financial Times
Nada Bashir, international correspondent, CNN London
Japtej Ghura, football reporter, Hayters TV
Aidan McCartney, senior sports editor, Reach (Regionals)
Rebecca Moore, senior director, bureau & technical operations, CNN

11:25: Overcoming anxiety: gaining confidence and how to recognise anxiety disorders
Chaired by Schams Elwazer, director of coverage, CNN International
Lisa Bradley, deputy head of the department of journalism studies, University of Sheffield
Connor Parker, multimedia producer, ITN

11:50: Comfort break

12:00: Generational diversity: the evolution of journalism
Chaired by Joanna Webster, global managing editor, visuals, Reuters
Max Foster, anchor and correspondent, CNN
Aadam Patel, sports journalist, Daily Mail
Camomile Shumba, UK regulatory reporter, CoinDesk

12:45: Presentations of specialist Journalism Diversity Fund bursaries
Aziz Foundation bursary, presented by Rahima Aziz
Football Writers’ Association bursary, presented by Paul McCarthy
Thomas Read bursary, presented by Jamie Read

13:00: Lunch and networking

14:10: In conversation with Ellie Simmonds OBE, former Paralympian swimmer
Interviewed by Sanny Rudravajhala, freelance journalist and former JDF recipient

14:45: Journalism Diversity Fund update

15:00: Lead sponsor cheque presentation and vote of thanks

15:05: Closing remarks

15:15: Event close

There will be an opportunity to stay on for a networking drinks reception and fun news quiz after the event.