THE UNIVERSITY of York will be the venue for an international conference on fairness next week.

Speakers at the International Fairness Confernece will include the Archbishop of York, MPs, York council leader James Alexander and his counterparts from local authorities from across the UK and Europe.

City of York Council is hosting the conference on Monday, June 9, as a result of the Fairness Commission which was set up in 2011 and saw York become the first city in Yorkshire to make a commitment to become a Living Wage City.

The Archbishop Dr John Sentamu said: "I believe that if we want to see York prosper and flourish we must look to reduce the societal divide that currently exists. It is our duty and our responsibility.

"This international conference offers the opportunity for local residents, business leaders, voluntary organisations, academics and civic leaders to look again at delivering a more caring, more cohesive society and a fairer City of York."

It will run from 9am-5pm at the Rob Cooke Hub and will see sessions on communities and fairness, what makes "good growth", views from the community of York, lessons from Europe and the role of civic leaders in the challenges of the future. It will also be webcast live www.yorkfairness.com.