Leading thinkers, politicians, academics and media commentators will be coming to
Graveney School, Wandsworth, on Wednesday March 3rd, offering sixth-form students
from a range of London boroughs an unparalleled opportunity to build their knowledge
and understanding of global uncertainties around ideologies and beliefs.
The day-long event, organised by the Global Uncertainties Schools Network, will take the form of expert panel debates, workshops and student discussions, interrogating tough questions such as: How should society respond to extremist ideas and beliefs? Is there a balance to be struck between freedom and security? and Is the world more insecure and unstable that it has been in the past? The event will culminate in a ‘Question Time’ session, open to the public.
High profile speakers at the event include: Sadiq Khan, Labour MP for Tooting and Minister for Transport; Sir Lawrence Freedman, Professor of War Studies and Vice-Principal, Kings College and Global Uncertainties Fellow; Brendan O’Neill, journalist and editor, Spiked Online; Zoe Williams, Columnist, The Guardian; Andrew Copson, Chief Executive, British Humanist Association; Ruth Dudley-Edwards, journalist and biographer; Rev’d George Pitcher, religion editor, Daily Telegraph and Dr Abdelwahab Al-Effendi, Senior Research Fellow and co-ordinator, Democracy and Islam Programme, Centre for the Study of Democracy, University of Westminster.
David Perks, Head of Physics at Graveney School, said:
‘We are thrilled to have such an impressive array of speakers coming to take part in this event. I feel sure the day will leave a lasting impression on all the students who take part whether they speak from the audience or actually take to the stage themselves and debate the issues. To be given the opportunity to explore the question of "Ideologies and Beliefs" in such a format is a rare and inspiring event. It has caught the imagination of staff and students alike.’
The Global Uncertainties Schools Network has been set up by the Institute of Ideas Debating Matters Competition and is supported by the Research Councils UK programme ‘Global Uncertainties: Security for all in a Changing World’.
Dr John Wand, theme leader of the Research Councils UK Global Uncertainties Programme, organisers of the event, says of the event, which is the first of six in schools across the country:
‘We very much welcome this chance to work with students and the local community to help to raise awareness of the issues around this important area. We hope not only that participants will find this an informative and enjoyable experience, but that some of the outcomes might inform how the Research Councils UK programme moves forward.’
For more information on the even visit the Debating Matters website
Questions? Why not post it on the forum