manchester debating union termcard autumn 2015
Post on 23-Jul-2016
222 Views
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Termcard Autumn 2015
Society of the
Year 2015
Welcome! 02
As President and Chair we would like to welcome you to a new
year with the Manchester Debating Union.
Every Thursday we have a great range of public debates to offer.
Every one of these debates has an expert panel of public
intellectuals, academics, journalists and politicians who have
given their time to put on these excellent events. No matter your
interest, there will be something in our calendar you’ll find
engaging.
Every Tuesday we run public speaking and debate training
sessions. Here you can build your confidence, learn how to
structure arguments and improve your public speaking skills. If
you find that you enjoy competitive debating you can join us and
compete in tournaments across the country and get feedback
from world class judges. There will be several novice
competitions this semester to allow you to get a taste for
competitive debating in a relaxed environment against other
beginners.
The MDU also has a great social atmosphere. We meet every
week after training and public debates. We also hold social
events throughout the year; it’s a great place to chat to like
minded individuals, have fun and make new friends.
Both of us believe that debating is one of the most valuable
things you can do with your time at university. It will make you
consider points of view you will never have had to tackle before.
It allows you to learn about subjects like philosophy, politics and
economics in an easy and engaging way. It helps your ability to
reason and explain, and turn the thoughts in your head into well
formed arguments to convince others; and more importantly, it
will help you examine and understand why you hold your own
beliefs. It is this form of questioning and learning which makes
debating an excellent addition to any degree.
The MDU has a great range of events lined up this year, there is
something for everyone. We hope that you join us for what
promises to be a great year.
Jack Mellish Chair 2015-2016
Laura Smith President 2015-2016
03
Contents
02 Welcome A welcome from the Chair and President
05 Public Debates This semester’s events featuring a fantastic set of speakers
16
17
18
19
Competitive Debating How you can get involved with Manchester Debating Union’s training program
How to Join Find out how you can become a member
Committee Our committee this year
Inclusions A welcome from our Inclusion’s Officer
Public Debates Manchester’s public debates bring together journalists, academics
and politicians to speak on everything from economics to
feminism, from foreign affairs to religion. Our public debates are
open to all students and staff at universities within Manchester,
including the University of Manchester and Manchester
Metropolitan University.
Public debates take place at 5pm in the Roscoe Building Lecture
Theatre B, every Thursday during term time. Check out our
Facebook page for the latest information on our public debates!
The format of our public debates is a seven-minute speech given
by each of the four speakers. After this the floor is opened to
questions from audience members to give you the opportunity to
question our guests. The debate ends with two minute summary
speeches.
This year has some of the best public speakers: from Peter
Tatchell to Edwina Currie. Along with representatives from the
Institute of Economic Affairs, The Bow Group and the Communist
Party. We’ll be covering topics ranging from free speech to class
solidarity; from the media to Israel. No matter your interests you
will be able to find a topic which interests you, and we encourage
you to make our public debates part of your regular university
schedule.
05
06
This House Believes that Free Speech Must Include the Right to Offend.
Thursday 24th September 5pm – Roscoe Building Lecture Theatre B
The boundaries and limits of free speech are at the forefront of political
debate. Does the state best protect the vulnerable by placing limits on
offensive speech? Or will this clamp down on the criticism essential to
develop as a society? Whichever side one falls on, this is one of the most
fundamental questions to ask today. Join us for the first debate of the
academic year when the Manchester Debating Union asks - should free
speech include the right to offend?
Douglas Cochran Three times World Debating Championship Semi-
Finalist and European Debating Championship Finalist.
Kate Brooks Two time European Debating Championship Semi Finalist and one of the Top 10 speakers in Europe.
Alexander Cavell Debate Programmes Co-Ordinator for the International
Debate Education Association.
07 This House Believes that Women Are
Empowered by Breaking the System, Not Succeeding Within It.
Thursday 1st October 5pm - Roscoe Building Lecture Theatre B
Multi-national companies are making huge efforts to highlight and
encourage women at the top of their industries. Many women at the top
of those industries encourage those following them to “lean in” - not to
give up their jobs for the sake of their families, to be ambitious. But is
women’s success in the business world a good measure to use to judge
equality – or do we need to completely re-think the way that we structure
our society? This week the Manchester Debating Unions asks -are
women empowered by breaking the system, or succeeding within it?
Jo Fidgen BBC Contributor
to Radio 4’s Analysis and the
BBC World Service
Katie Grant News Reporter and Columnist
for the Independent
Edwina Currie Author and former Conservative MP
for South Derbyshire
Dr Francesca Gains The Head of Politics at the University of
Manchester.
08 This House Believes that UKIP is a Force
for Good in British Politics Thursday 8th October 5pm - Roscoe Building Lecture Theatre B
The UK Independence Party has shaped the debate in British politics
following its meteoric rise in popularity. Previously a niche minority party, it
is now the third largest party in British politics. Supporters say that it
represents a different voice in politics, addressing the concerns of
disenfranchised voters forgotten by the political establishment. But
detractors argue UKIP only stoke fear and separation in the political
debate. This week we ask: is UKIP a force for good in British Politics?
Steven Woolfe UKIP MEP for the North West and UKIP Migration
Spokesman.
Dr Rob Ford Author of “The Revolt on the Right.” and a Senior
Lecturer in Politics at the University of Manchester.
Representative for The Bow Group Centre-Right think tank allied with the Conservative
Party.
09 This House Believes that Capitalism is a Force for Good in the Developing World
Thursday 15th October 5pm - Roscoe Building Lecture Theatre B
Capitalism is the economic model used by the richest countries in the world.
Supporters of the capitalist system argue that capitalism generates
economic growth by letting private investors build businesses that serve the
needs of consumers. Opponents however argue capitalism only enriches a
few, and predatory corporations exploit and drain the resources from
developing nations. Is Capitalism the path to development, or exploitation?
This week we ask- does capitalism help the developing world?
Dr Diego Zuluaga International Research Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs. He is also Deputy Director of
EPICENTER, a pan-European think tank network.
Representative of the Communist Party of Britain The Marxist Party of the British labour movement.
Dr Khalid Nadvi Political economist specialising in issues relating to
trade and industrial development at the University of Manchester.
This House Believes that Israel is a Force for Good in the Middle East
10
Thursday 22nd October 5pm - Roscoe Building Lecture Theatre B
No state's role in the world is more hotly contested than that of the state of
Israel. Supporters of Israel point to it as one of few democracies in a region
of autocracies, surrounded by hostile enemies. They value the need for a
state to represent Jewish people on the world stage. It’s opponents, see
Israel as an apartheid state, denying rights to its Palestinian citizens, and as
waging an illegal occupation of neighbouring territories. This week the
Manchester Debating Union asks - Is Israel a force for good in the middle
east?
Simi Ben Hur
Executive Director of Shaare Zedek UK, a charity which supports the Shaare Zedek hospital in
Jerusalem. Previously, Head of Public Affairs for the Community Security Trust working on combatting
anti-Semitism.
Peter Tatchell
British political campaigner best known for his work with LGBT social movements. Director of the Peter
Tatchell Foundation.
11
This House Regrets the Decline of Class Solidarity
Thursday 12th November 5pm - Roscoe Building Lecture Theatre B
With globalisation and the decline of Britain's industrial economy most
people no longer have an identity that is defined rigidly by class. This break
down in the class structure has certainly been beneficial in removing barriers
to social mobility. Class identity often served as a major block to the
advancement of working class people into positions of power. However, with
the decline of class identity has come the decline of the “working class
movement”. Has the end of class solidarity made people more willing to turn
on their neighbour, and more willing to demonize others than demand
justice? This week the Manchester Debating Union asks: should we regret
the decline of class solidarity?
Ben Chako
Chief Editor of the Morning Star, Britain’s last revolutionary left-wing
newspaper in wide circulation.
12 This House Believes that Science Has an
Undeserved Monopoly on the Truth Thursday 19th November 5pm - Roscoe Building Lecture Theatre B
Science has come to be considered synonymous with truth.
But should we question that definition? Can religion and
philosophy provide truths about the world? About what is
moral? Can they answer questions which cannot be answered
through rational scientific inquiry? This week we ask- does
science have an undeserved monopoly on the truth?
13
This House Believes that the Press has Failed the People
Thursday 26th November 5pm - Roscoe Building Lecture Theatre B
The role of the press is to inform and promote conversation in the public’s
interest. By maintaining a spotlight the press can hold people in positions of
power accountable for their actions. However, mainstream media is moving
away from this role. They instead, often focus on quick attention grabbing
headlines that ignore the pressing issues and focus on scapegoating the
vulnerable. Has the press turned on the public when it should be acting in
its interest? This week we ask- has the press failed the people?
Dr Piers Robinson
Senior Politics professor at the University of Manchester whose research focuses on media and
propaganda.
14 This House Would Teach Pop &
Alternative Culture over the Classics Thursday 3rd December 5pm - Roscoe Building Lecture Theatre B
Recent education reforms have called for the broadening of students
knowledge of classic texts in British literature such as Dickens and
Shakespeare. Does the educational establishment place too much weight
on these texts? Is there equal artistic merit to be found in a verse of rap
lyrics, or in a modern fantasy novel? This week we ask: should we teach
popular culture over the classics?
Siana Bangura
History graduate of the University of Cambridge and an experienced journalist, writer, blogger, public speaker and performer. Founder
and editor of No Fly on the WALL, a platform to discuss intersectional
feminism.
This House Blames the West for Islamic Extremism
Thursday 10th December 5pm - Roscoe Building Lecture Theatre B
15
Islamic terrorism is one of the greatest threats faced by Western nations.
The West has responded to it with military action abroad and increases in
security at home. “Home-grown” terrorists joining organisations like ISIS
frequently quote Western foreign policy and a feeling of isolation caused
by the police as their primary causes of becoming radicalised. This week
we ask - is the West to blame for Islamic Extremism?
Competitive Debate Training
The Manchester Debating Union holds regular training sessions on Competitive Debating – come along to debate a variety of topics and improve your public speaking and argument-forming skills. These sessions take place in room 4.3 of the Roscoe Building at the University of Manchester. Our introduction to the competitive debating session will take place on Tuesday the 29th of September where we’ll give you a friendly introduction to competitive debating. We cater to all levels of ability and welcome new members at any point during the year – so don’t worry if you can’t make the first session! We send competitive debating teams to competitions across the country almost every weekend during term time, and you can attend as few or as many as you wish. We send all our members to competitions, whether you are experienced or a complete beginner. Attending debating competitions helps you to improve your debating skills whilst also giving you the opportunity to travel the country and world. In the last year our members have attended competitions in Paris, Vienna and Malaysia. If you have any questions about competitive debating, then please email our president at president@mdu.manchester.ac.uk
16
How to join
All of our public debates are completely free to attend!
If you’re thinking about having a go at competitive debating, you
can come to two of our weekly training sessions for free to try it
out.
If you wish to purchase membership, chat to our Treasurer,
Mhairi Hindle, or email her at
treasurer@mdu.manchester.ac.uk. You can also speak to any
member of committee at our events.
Benefits of membership include:
• Access to our weekly two-hour training sessions
• Free access to participating in debating competitions as the
Manchester Debating Union (entry fees normally range from
£20-£50).
Membership costs £10 for the year or £25 for life!
Make sure you join our Facebook Group Manchester
Debating Union –MDU to stay up to date with all of our events
Also follow us on twitter at @mdunion and check out our
youtube channel for recordings of our public debates and other
events: https://www.youtube.com/user/ManchesterDebates
17
18 Inclusions
You don’t need to have an expert knowledge of politics or be a very
confident speaker to start debating. The MDU training program will help you
develop these skills. Skills learnt from debating can help with interviews,
presentations and even essays!
Debating is also a great way to develop English speaking and workplace
skills. Debating tournaments have finals categories for students who do not
speak English as their first language, and our training program can help
refine your English skills.
My job as inclusions officer is to make sure everyone at university is
included in debating. If you have any suggestions, queries or comments
you can contact me at: inclusions@mdu.manchester.ac.uk or approach me
directly at a training session or on Thursdays after the public debate.
This year we are also looking at combining training sessions and events
with other societies. So if you run a society or want your society to host a
debating workshop get in touch with us.
I look forward to meeting you all!
Ria Basu.
Committee 2015/2016
The Executive
Laura Smith President
Jack Mellish Chair
Mhairi Hindle Treasurer
Hugh Phipps Externals
Katie McKellar Competitions
Ria Basu Inclusions
Sam Ward IV Convener
Ben Capener Socials
Declan Leahy Training
Becky Montacute Training
The Committee
19
Cory Hooper Communications
Designed by Becky Montacute and Jack Mellish
top related