Lord Peter Hain In Conversation with the Vice-Chancellor Professor Sasha Roseneil
28 January 2026 12:30 until 14:00
University of Sussex Campus - Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts (ACCA)
Speaker: Lord Peter Hain
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A question has haunted Sussex alumnus Lord Peter Hain for years: why are liberation and independence movements often betrayed when their leaders come into power? Hosted by the Sussex School for Progressive Futures, Lord Hain will explore this question in conversation with the University of Sussex Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil, drawing on ideas from his new book Liberation and Corruption: Why Freedom Movements Fail.
A lifelong anti-apartheid activist and politician, Lord Hain served as a Cabinet minister under the governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. He brings the unique perspective of someone who has been both on the streets in protest and in power. In his new book, he examines why movements born from ideals of justice and freedom often give way to bad governance and corruption once in power. With examples from Africa, Latin America, Russia, the Caribbean, China and India, he reflects on the challenges of staying true to the values of freedom and justice.
All welcome. Signed copies of the book will be available to purchase on the day at 50% discount (£10 each)
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The Sussex School for Progressive Futures is the University's flagship hub to catalyse and coordinate a distinctive, world-changing programme of interdisciplinary education, research, and global and civic engagement. We focus on the three transformational themes that underpin the University strategy Sussex 2035 Creating Progressive Futures - flourishing, sustainability and progress for the whole world, and are central to making a better world in the 21st century: environmental sustainability, human flourishing, and digital and data futures.
