Members of the APPG for Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) Professionals recently invited French international footballer, Lilian Thuram, to a meeting to talk about the work of his foundation – the  Lilian Thuram Foundation for Education Against Racism – Éducation Contre Racisme.

The APPG was keen to hear Lilian talk about the progress being made in EDI.

Members also heard of the rationale behind his bestselling international books, “My Black Stars” and more recently “White Thinking,” which was recently translated into English.  Sport is currently dominating the race agenda in the UK and Lilian has strong poignant points that shine bright, now as ever.

Lilian welcomed the opportunity to talk to parliamentarians.  He said, ““I’m really pleased to have been invited to speak about White Thinking at the Houses of Parliament. Racism is a cultural legacy, just like sexism. If we are ever to break free of it, we need to understand the history of the identities based on skin colour that we still use today. If we don’t understand how the world became racialised, then we can’t bring an end to racism.”

Khalid Mahmood Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) Professionals, added, “Lilian Thuram is a class act in many theatres and such I was keen to share time with him.  His thoughts on EDI, particularly from a race angle, are as challenging as his style of play as a professional footballer for that great nation of France.”