US civil rights leader the Rev Jesse Jackson, speaking at the launch in Oxford of a programme aimed at increasing the number of black students in higher education, has challenged universities to reflect the diversity of society.

The United States-led military offensive in Iraq has strengthened its neighbour Iran, and led to a weakening of the moral authority of the United States, US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson said during a visit to Britain.

Britain’s black communities have still to throw off the mentality of slavery and need to invest in the future of its young people and rediscover their self-confidence, leading US civil rights campaigner the Rev Jesse Jackson says.

US civil rights campaigner Jesse Jackson is to visit British churches in an effort to help them do more to promote racial justice. During his visit next week, Jackson will address the involvement of minority ethnic communities in economic development and the building of a just society.

Following hot on the heels of the Rev Jesse Jackson, in Britain last week to launch the economic equality campaign Equanomics, ex-South African president Nelson Mandela was hailed in London yesterday in advance of today's unveiling of a London statue of him.

Jane Fonda, Jesse Jackson, US Congressman Ed Markey, and American Federal Communications Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein have joined with a broad alliance of reformers - including religious organisations - to demand equal access and fair ownership of media provision.