Athol Williams

Athol Williams studied for an MPhil in Political Theory, focusing on the responsibilities that economic institutions have to promote social justice, especially in societies with the enduring effects of historical injustices. He now dedicates his life to fighting social and economic injustice, and has founded Read to Rise, a charity providing educational opportunities for children.

For the John Porter Centre of Diplomacy, Athol’s research will explore the ways in which the shift to greater private sector involvement in government, often in the name of efficiency, supports or detracts from democratic functioning of governments, and when multinational companies are involved, how it may support or hamper the realisation of peace and the peace processes of the future. The research will involve engagements with corporations, governments, think tanks, multilateral organisations and academia with outputs of academic and professional publications along with a landmark conference.