Oxford Students’ Union Speaker Series

This event is organised by Oxford University Students’ Union and is taking place at the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities.

The Oxford Speaker Series continues with George Weah: Sport, Race, and the Fight Against Racism, bringing together students for an evening of reflection and dialogue on identity, resilience, and leadership.

This session explores how experiences of exclusion, pressure, and systemic barriers shape leadership journeys. Through the story of His Excellency George Weah, the event reflects on what it means to rise in spaces where one does not naturally belong, and how those experiences inform leadership, purpose, and impact. From confronting racism as a young African footballer in Europe to becoming the first African Ballon d’Or winner and later a President, his journey offers powerful lessons on perseverance, ambition, and transformation.

The event examines how sport intersects with race, politics, and global identity, while drawing broader lessons for students navigating their own paths within and beyond the University. It positions Oxford as a space where personal experiences can be translated into meaningful leadership and collective impact.

The session will feature a keynote address from President Weah, followed by a moderated conversation and an interactive audience Q and A, creating space for reflection, dialogue, and engagement.

Speaker

His Excellency George Weah
Former President of the Republic of Liberia
First and Only African Ballon d’Or Winner
Honorary Captain, FIFA Players’ Voice Panel Against Racism

Moderator

Tim Soutphommasane
Chief Diversity Officer, University of Oxford
Professor of Practice in Human Rights and Political Theory