One month to go until inaugural Global Equality Summit
It is exactly one month until the Global Equality Summit begins in Cape Town (11-13 November 2024), with 120 delegates expected to attend a three-day programme focused on driving change for LGBTIQ+ people.
The Summit will welcome over 50 legislators representing every world region, as well as representatives from international civil society, multilateral organisations, governments and inclusive businesses.
Delegates will participate in multiple sessions across the three days, including a pre-conference day hosted by the Global Equality Caucus at the ILGA World Conference, an introductory session hosted by the City of Cape Town, a plenary day featuring high-level speakers and opportunities to secure wide-ranging commitments on progressing LGBTIQ+ rights, and a series of topical roundtables focused on regional collaboration to achieve specific policy targets.
The Summit will have a major focus on promoting Global South leadership on LGBTIQ+ inclusion, featuring inspiring changemakers who have helped to secure equal rights in countries where there is less LGBTIQ+ acceptance.
Global South legislators will share strategies on how this change can be won in the face of common challenges, including the legacy of colonialism and structural barriers such as religious intolerance and democratic backsliding.
The programme will be executed by the Global Equality Caucus in collaboration with our organising partners The Other Foundation, Parliamentarians for Global Action and the Human Dignity Trust, with all four organisations taking a leading role in facilitating conversations between legislators, civil society experts and community leaders.
As the Summit approaches, Aron le Fèvre, Executive Director of the Global Equality Caucus, said: “We are excited about the many opportunities for strategic collaboration that the Global Equality Summit will present next month. Over 100 leaders from parliaments, governments, civil society and international institutions will come together, identifying not only what needs to improve for the LGBTIQ+ community and where it needs to happen, but how we can support legislative and policy action to secure positive change. This is particularly important and timely as we witness a global anti-rights movement grow stronger. Everybody attending the Summit is a champion for inclusivity, and I am confident that by working as one voice we can empower lawmakers in defence of LGBTIQ+ equality.”
Key speakers and panelists for the Summit will be announced over the coming weeks. For press enquiries about the event please contact GEC Head of Operations Andrew Slinn.
The Summit would not be possible without the support of our sponsors Nedbank, ViiV Healthcare, the Global Fund, Google, Grindr for Equality, the Government of the Netherlands, and the UK Government.