President’s Welcome
Welcome to the Easter term of the Durham Union, it is my pleasure to present you an exciting term card. We have an excellent range of speakers from all walks of life. They will be talking to us on a wide variety of subjects, from conducting an orchestra to planning a city. All of our guests have fascinating and enthralling careers. Thanks to the new forms of technology, we are able to see and hear from speakers who would otherwise be unable to join us, such as those from the heat and warmth of El Salvador to the concrete jungle of New York.
Our Society is proud to champion free speech since 1842, providing a community that fosters ideas to improve the state of the world. As the oldest and largest society of the University. The Union is at the very heart of the Durham experience, especially during this challenging time. A place for students to exchange thoughts, grow and make friendships for life.
When I first joined the Union, I encountered a sense of community, a desire to listen to one another, a passion to go
beyond what we are taught. These values make the Union such a special place not only in the University but also in our hearts. I hope that during this term you will find the Union a truly enriching experience.
As we are now coming out of the pandemic and the sun is shining, even in Durham, we are all looking forward to the possibility of enjoying a form of normality in the coming months. It will give me great pleasure during this extraordinary time to welcome and meet you at the Durham Union.
I would like to wish everyone of you a very safe and enjoyable rest of the academic year.
Event Calendar and Social Dista
ancing
Online Access
As a result of ongoing social distancing measures, all debates and addresses are to be delivered online via a livestream on our ‘The Durham Union Members 2020-21’ Facebook page. All online events unless noted otherwise will begin promptly at 8pm. Questions can be asked by posting a comment in the livestream’s chat.
Union Facilities and Socials
Unfortunately, all Union Facilities must remain closed over this Easter Term, including the debating chamber and 24s. Despite this, Social Committee is working hard to deliver covid compliant events after the University Exam Period and the easing of lockdown restrictions. Although we have no news at this time, any update on socials will be widely publicised on our Facebook page and mailing list once we can provide one.
Dr Salvador Alvarez
The Other Pandemic: HIV and AIDS
Dr Salvador Alvarez is a renowned specialist on infectious diseases and chair of the international activities committee at the Mayo Clinic in Florida. He is also a recipient of the Eugene Page award.
Monday 26th April
Leticia Jauregui Women and Social Entrepreneurship
Leticia Jauregui is a member of the Global Shapers Community of the World Economic Forum and ranked as one of Mexico’s most powerful women by Forbes Magazine.
Tuesday 27th April
Addresses & Debates
Angel Gurria
Building Back Better: The future of the World Economy
Angel Gurria is a Mexican economist who since 2005 has held the position of Secretary-General for OECD. He had previously served as Mexico’s Secretary of Finance (1998-2000)
4pm, Thursday 29th April
Luis Vidal
The Future of Cities
Luis Vidal is the renowned architect behind Heathrow Airport Terminal 2 and Colorado Air and Space Port. His practice has won numerous awards, most recently Andalucía Inmobiliaria’s Outstanding Innovative Project for the Loyola University Campus in Chicago.
Monday 3rd May
Addresses & Debates
Lord Alton of Liverpool Confronting Genocide, Atrocity Crimes, and Totalitarianism
A former Liberal Democrat MP, Lord Alton has been a notable critic of China and has recently campaigned to give the UK High Court the power to determine if genocide has occurred.
Tuesday 4th May
Marisol Argueta De Barillas
Stakeholder Capitalism
Marisol Argueta is Head of Latin America at the World Economic Forum and former Foreign Minister of El Salvador. Her address will discuss creating a world economy that works for progress, people, and the planet.
Thursday 10th June
Mark Thompson Former Director
General of the BBC
A veteran of the media industry, Mark Thompson has previously served as the Direct General of the BBC and as President and CEO of the New York Times Company. He has also served as an editor of Panorama and Newsnight.
Monday
14th June
University Exam Period
10th May - 4th June
The Durham Union Society will suspend addresses and debates during the University Exam period.
Cymry Durham Welsh Society Debate
7th June
In collaboration with Cymry Durham Welsh Society, we will be hosting a debate on “The state of the Welsh Language”.
Durham French Society
Debate
11th June
In collaboration with Durham French Society, we will be hosting a debate on “Secularism in the French State”.
Addresses & Debates
The Rt. Hon. Jacob Rees-Mogg MP
Leader of the House of Commons
Conservative MP for North East Somerset and current Leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg was a prominent proponent of Brexit and is now a key figure in Cabinet.
Tuesday 15th June
Baroness Cox
Providing aid and advocacy for victims of war and persecution
Beyond her work as a crossbench life peer, Baroness Cox is a human rights activist who is the CEO and founder of the Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust.
Thursday 17th June
A Word from the Salvation Army
The past year has impacted us all, but as is so often the case, the most vulnerable in our society have been the worst affected. The work done by groups like the Salvation Army is therefore more important than ever and so we would like to include a word from them talking about the effect the pandemic has had on their work in the local area:
“Unfortunately due to the pandemic the community café at Sanctuary 21 has been closed. However, this has not stopped us working alongside the council and other agencies to continue to support homeless and vulnerable people in Durham. We have continued to provide food and shower facilities for rough sleepers on a referred emergency basis. We have also worked closely with housing solutions to help get rough sleepers into permanent and emergency accommodation throughout the pandemic.
On Christmas Day we provided 60 hot and cold meals and delivered them to those in emergency accommodation across County Durham. With the café being closed
and other funding streams restricted we have had less income coming in during this period. As we prepare for reopening in the coming weeks any support will be much appreciated to help our work moving forward.”
- Sanctuary 21, The Salvation Army
The Durham Union Society is looking at supporting the Salvation Army through our own fundraising later in the term, but please do consider giving now at this difficult time.
You can give to Sanctuary 21’s Covid fundraiser here
Addresses & Debates
João Vale de Almeida
Head of the EU
Delegation to the United Kingdom
Having previously served as the Ambassador of the European Union to the United States (2010-14) and to the United Nations (2015-29), João Vale de Almeida is now first head of the EU delegation to the United Kingdom.
Monday 21st June
Sir James MacMillan
Music Composition’s
Moral Dimension
Sir James MacMillan CBE, composer and artistic director of the Cumnock Tryst, will discuss if there is a moral dimension to musical composition and if a composer’s work ever impacts the desire to sustain civic values.
Tuesday 22nd June
Guitele Chernitzky
Kindness in Leadership
Guitele Chernitzky is a renowned Mexican Radio host and advocate for mental health and reforming workplace practices.
Thursday 24th June
Carlos Miguel Prieto Conductor, Director of Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de México
Recipient of Musical America’s 2019 Conductor of the Year, Carlos Miguel Prieto is Mexico’s preeminent conductor, directing the Orchestra of the America’s and the Louisiana Philharmonic in addition to his national orchestra
Friday 25th June
Getting INVOLVED
There are many ways to become involved in the Union besides attending our events. Putting together our termly programmes is a huge undertaking, involving a host of elected officers and committees. There really is a role for everyone who wants to get involved.
President’s Committee
Helps the President-Elect to prepare for their upcoming term, by researching potential speakers for addresses, debates and forums, and assisting them in the drafting of invitations.
Rules Committee
Assist the Returning Officer in running free and fair elections to all Union positions, by scrutinising procedures. They also ensure that the Union’s constitution is constantly up to date and relevant.
Consultative Committee
Connects the Union with the colleges. It consists of a representative from each of the University’s colleges, who are elected in order to gather members’ feedback, and distribute Union publicity to members of their college.
House Committee
Responsible for taking care of the logistical operations that accompany each of our events.
Social Committee
Working with the Social Secretary, this committee helps organise and run the Union’s social events.
Sponsorship Committee
Working with the Sponsorship Secretary, this committee encourages outside bodies (local and national) to support the Union’s events.
Who’s Who
Speakers Secretary - Rj Batkhuu
Steward - To Be Elected
Equalities Officer - To Be Elected
Alumni Officer - Amy Mitchell
Outreach Officer - Matthew Midlane
Technologies Officer - Ben Doerry
Assistant Custodian - Emily Gordon
Returning Officer - Tamara Herrington
President Nicolas Mariscal Palacio
Treasurer Dylan Cresswell Secretary Ryan de'Vere President-Elect Maddie Hurley
President’s Thanks
Life has been tough this year. The stakes have been high, but we have proven together that we can do great things for our Union. Even with the University being physically closed, we kept open our 179 year old forum and continue to be a beacon of free speech. This was only possible thanks to all of you and your hard work.
We must be very proud of all the events that we have put together and those that are still to come. This was only possible thanks to the determination of the President's Committee, that always went the extra mile. A special thanks to Jack Morgan for all his efforts designing this Term Card in such a short span of time; to Sharon for her unconditional support to the everyday running of the Union; to James Wroe and Tristan Pahl for their paramount leadership throughout the past year.
The Durham Union is an enduring community thanks to the friendships that we have forged.
We will never forget the persistence of RJ Batkhuu in shaping this Term Card, Ryan de’ Vere’s unrivaled dedication, Xavier Wain’s unparalleled perseverance and hard work. Dylan Cresswell’s matchless drive, Hannah Williams’ contagious creativity and enthusiasm, Matthew Midlane’s enlightening advice. Alexander Roussopoulos’ constant support, Ben Doerry’s technological wisdom, Freddie Green’s passion, Sophie Tice’s exceptional commitment. As well as Tamara Herrington’s, Grace Annandale’s and Sarah Kuszynski's constant urge for improving our Society.
We are all very grateful to the speakers for their time and passion in sharing with us their perspectives and solutions to the world’s most pressing issues. The pandemic enabled us to reflect on the international dimension of the Union through a rich variety of opinions and debates.
Thank you to all those who supported the various fundraising
nd charitable initiatives during the ast year and those that will ontinue to do so this term through ur local Salvation Army.
would like to congratulate Maddie urley for her election and wish her est of luck for Michaelmas. I am ure that it will be a superb term.
eing part of the Union is a journey, or some it has come to an end while for others it has just started, ut the memories and experiences will never fade. We will continue to e a community that fosters ideas o make the world a better place.
ook forward to seeing everyone nd thanking you in person for all our support to the Union.
Free entry to addresses from celebrities and leading public figures
Free entry to debates with expert speakers on a variety of topical issues, every Friday evening
Online access to livestreams of addresses and debates
Access to the Union’s private bar and events venue at the 24 North Bailey Club
Free Admission to the events and facilities of the Oxford, Cambridge, and Edinburgh Unions, as well as the Hist and Phil societies of Trinity College Dublin
Access to our members-only socials, which are amongst the best in Durham
Exclusive discounts and deals at independent shops across Durham
The ability to get involved with the running of Durham’s largest student society, a great addition to any CV
Socialise with students from a range of different colleges and courses
