Termcard Autumn 2015
Society of the Year 2015
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Welcome!
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.
03 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
Contents 02
Welcome
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Public Debates
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Competitive Debating
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How to Join
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Inclusions
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Committee
A welcome from the Chair and President
This semester’s events featuring a fantastic set of speakers How you can get involved with Manchester Debating Union’s training program
Find out how you can become a member
A welcome from our Inclusion’s Officer
Our committee this year
Public Debates
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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.
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 SemiFinalist 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
Edwina Currie Author and former Conservative MP for South Derbyshire
Katie Grant News Reporter and Columnist for the Independent
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.
10 This House Believes that Israel is a Force for Good in the Middle East 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.
15 This House Blames the West for Islamic Extremism Thursday 10th December 5pm - Roscoe Building Lecture Theatre B
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?
16 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
How to join
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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
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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.
19 Committee 2015/2016 The Executive
Laura Smith President
Jack Mellish Chair
Mhairi Hindle Treasurer
The Committee
Hugh Phipps Externals
Ben Capener Socials
Katie McKellar Competitions
Declan Leahy Training
Ria Basu Inclusions
Sam Ward IV Convener
Becky Montacute Cory Hooper Communications Training
Designed by Becky Montacute and Jack Mellish