Oxford Union Trinity Term 2022 by The Oxford Union

THE OXFORD UNION

TRINITY 2022

Michael-Akolade Ayodeji President

As the weather improves in the backdrop of exam season, I hope to welcome you back to the Union for the return of an in-person Trinity Term to be remembered. Education is at the core of the Union, an institution that prides itself on championing free speech and learning through debate. Despite the inequalities making the pursuit of education different from person to person depending on people’s starting points in life, it remains something worth pursuing. This very pursuit was what first attracted me to the opportunity of debating, an activity riddled with creativity. I hope this creativity shines through the ideas that underpin the front cover depicting the Union and the noteworthy individuals who have visited the Union over the years, from Malcolm X to William Gladstone. The Union came into existence almost 200 years ago to defend and uphold the principles of free speech in a context where this was stifled by the university. Two centuries later, the role of the Union today remains as crucial as ever in order to platform the seminal issues of our time. This term, we have debates on topics ranging from post-colonialism through our Raj Debate in Week 6 to more contemporary matters like the future of wearable technology in our end-of-term Metaverse Debate. We will also be continuing with our popular Members’ Debates, where any member - regardless of debating experience has the opportunity to debate in our historic chamber. The Union is where we spotlight changemakers from across the world. It is exciting to welcome groundbreakers this term from such a diverse range of backgrounds, including Anthony Joshua, Denzel Curry, Dame Karen Pierce, Noam Chomsky, Lord Sugar, and Jung Chang.

Whilst debates and individual speaker addresses remain traditional, some topics are better spotlighted through more open dialogue. To this end, I’m glad to be hosting roundtable panel discussions on topics including Prison Reform, War Crimes, and Education. These special events will continue to shape the conversation on these issues in a nuanced and insightful way. The Union is also a place for enjoyment, and the breadth of socials we have this term will to cement this. From grand gatherings like the Pimms Garden Party and May Day Gala to our World Food Festival, we hope you will find something to interest you. It means a lot to me to host the ‘I Am’ solidarity fashion show, the first of its kind in Union history. We will also, of course, carry on with our incredibly popular pub quizzes and are hosting a special ‘Royal Extravaganza’ Ball in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. As someone who traditionally never imagined playing a role in the running of the Union, being the first African-born Black President came with varying degrees of expectation. In the end, it has been a privilege. When I look back on my time at Oxford, I will always have fond memories of the people I met at the Union. Some of the most valuable lessons that I’ve learned, as well as the most interesting experiences, have come from interactions here. It feels special to have worked with my dedicated committee in putting together this termcard over the vacation, which we hope has something for everyone.

Michael-Akolade Ayodeji University College 3

THE OXFORD UNION

Charlie Mackintosh Librarian

Upon my election to this Office in Michaelmas, my sister asked me: ‘Charlie, why do you want to be a librarian?’ Whilst the archaic job title had understandably confused her, I explained that Librarian really is the very best job in the Union. My two primary responsibilities, the organisation of individual speakers and the maintenance of our beautiful Library, are what I see to be the main functions of the Society: to challenge and educate its members. I hope you find that this term does both of these in equal measure. With addresses from Heads of State and Supreme Court Justices to celebrities like Bear Grylls and Natalie Dormer, I am incredibly proud of the programme of speakers we have put together for you this term. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at these events. Please take these opportunities to meet, question, and engage with some of the most influential figures in the world. I hope our Library and its 60,000+ books are a source of comfort and help for all members as we approach examination season. It is a fantastic resource and one we are lucky to have. I am delighted to announce that this term we will be adding original content to our collections with the relaunch of the Union’s ‘Debate’ magazine. Thank you to all those who submitted articles; I highly recommend that you all give it a read!

Treasurer

Welcome back, I hope you’ve had a relaxed and refreshing Easter break! This term, we ask you to imagine the possibilities of life inside the Metaverse, consider carefully our university’s role in creating a fairer society, and, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Indian and Pakistani independence, examine the legacy of colonialism in our world today. I am incredibly proud of the work our Committee has done to facilitate eight exciting debates, tackling some of the most challenging and important questions of our time. We are honoured to host eminent guests from across academia, technology, politics, and the arts, including Jim Ryan, Catherine Bragg, and Stephen Fry! The Treasurer’s Office has been working hard over the vacation to deliver you a fresh and diverse range of Treasurer’s treats, from Sushi Corner to Sandy’s Piano Bar, burger joints to cafés, and of course, Knoops! And now, you’ll be able to discover our exclusive discounts more easily with signs in stores across the city. As usual, Finance Committee will take place every Monday at 3pm in the Goodman Library. Come see firsthand the work we are doing to make the Society’s finances more sustainable and provide greater value for members. We are keen to hear your perspectives and suggestions for reform.

If you have any questions about the Union, the Library, or want to join Library Committee, please send me an email at librarian@oxford-union.org.

Whether you are interested in getting involved, have an idea for change, or just fancy a chat, do feel free to drop me a message!

My very best wishes for this term,

I am excited for a Trinity Term of warm days, late nights, and lively discussion. I hope you are as well.

Yours aye,

Charlie Mackintosh New College librarian@oxford-union.org 4

Naman Gupta

Naman Gupta Merton College treasurer@oxford-union.org

TRINITY 2022

Anvee Bhutani Secretary Dearest members and friends, नमस्ते और आपका स्वागत है (Hello and Welcome) Sitting in my office and penning this introduction is a surreal experience. If you had told 15-year-old me, as I watched Oxford Union videos on YouTube at school, that one day I would be helping lead this esteemed institution, I’m not sure I would have believed you. Trinity Term is more social than any other at the Union, as we move towards longer days and warmer weather. Over the Easter vacation, our Committee has worked incredibly hard to put together a diverse range of events. I’m sure there is something in the termcard for everyone!

Debates

Special Events

Speakers

Socials

Information

As part of the jam-packed itinerary, it is my pleasure to invite you to our first Garden Party in three years ‘Pimms’ - which is bound to be a fun day of outdoor festivities, music, games, and more. I also take pride in organising the first Fashion Show in the Union’s history. Of course, a Union term would be incomplete without a ball and this term’s ‘Royal’ themed ball, to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, is set to be a momentous occasion. Being Secretary involves minuting meetings and looking after the Members’ Bar. If ever you have suggestions to improve our food and drink offering or want to get involved with Bar Strategy Committee, please get in touch. Looking forward to a fantastic term - do say hi if you see me around the buildings! ढेर सारा प्यार (All my love)

Anvee Bhutani Magdalen College secretary@oxford-union.org 5

THE OXFORD UNION

DEBATES

TRINITY 2022

1. This House Believes Stormzy Is More Relevant Than Boris

2. This House Would Cap Oxbridge Private School Admissions at 7%

3. This House Would Repatriate Contested Artefacts

SPECIAL DEBATE: Termly Members’ Debate

4. This House Would Abolish Borders

5. This House Believes Monarchy Is Mere Celebrity

6. This House Believes The Raj Lives On

7. This House Has No Confidence In NATO

8. This House Would Live In The Metaverse

Dear Members, As Chief of Staff, I believe that behind every guest or event is a hard-working Junior Committee. With many new people on Committee this term, I could not be more proud of the wonderful atmosphere they have brought to the Union and the hard work they have put into developing this term card and supporting our Officers. I know their dedication and positivity will translate into an incredible Trinity Term that I will be proud to be a part of. It is a pleasure serving on this Committee and I look forward to handling the logistics of this term’s debates. Debating is, and always has been, at the heart of the Oxford Union. For nearly two centuries, the Oxford Union has served as a platform for the continued exchange of ideas, and our flagship Thursday night debates are renowned worldwide. Our weekly schedule is as follows: 19:45 - Emergency Debate. Featuring only student speakers, these debates seek to address pertinent current affairs issues, with motions set weekly at the public meetings of the Consultative Committee (held on Mondays at 13:15 in the Goodman Library). Exciting prizes are on offer for the best speeches of the night and we encourage all members to participate!

20:30 - Main Debate. With high-profile speakers from around the world, our Main Debates have a distinguished history and are considered an important forum for political and cultural discussion. More details about the motions for this term are on the pages that follow. You are encouraged to make your voice heard in these debates. In the Main Debate, Points of Information (POIs) can be offered to guests during their speeches and time is reserved for members to give floor speeches. At the conclusion of each Main debate, you are invited to vote with your feet by walking out of the Chamber through the door marked ‘Ayes’ or ‘Noes’. A ballot will be released each week via email and on our Facebook page for members to attend the pre-debate dinner with our guest speakers; please look out for this and good luck in the ballot! Yours sincerely, Chloe Glynn Chief of Staff St Anne’s College chief.staff@oxford-union.org

THE OXFORD UNION

1 THIS HOUSE

BELIEVES STORMZY IS MORE RELEVANT THAN BORIS THURSDAY 28TH APRIL 8.30PM 8

T R I N I T Y 2 0 2 2 | D E B AT E S

PROPOSITION Kenny Allstar

British DJ, radio presenter, and self-proclaimed ‘voice of the streets’. He has featured on BBC Radio 1Xtra, Capital Xtra and the DJ Charlsey show. In 2018, he released a collaborative album ‘Block Diaries’, with input from over 30 musicians.

Jasmine Dotiwala

Broadcaster, presenter and columnist, she has worked with MTV, Netflix and BBC Radio London. Dotiwala has interviewed artists including Jay-Z and Eminem, and in January she hosted the first ever Digital Culture Awards for Arts Council England.

DJ Target

British DJ, radio personality and broadcaster. He is a founding member of formative grime crew Roll Deep, and served as a five-nights-a-week BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter during 2018-2021. In 2021 he fronted a series on BBC Three titled ‘Tonight with Target’, a show aimed at championing grime, hip-hop, and R&B from the UK.

From Tupac to Dave, rap music has amplified the voices of disadvantaged groups on an unprecedented scale. Having embedded itself into the popular culture of society, rap music has made people feel not just heard, but seen, in a way they weren’t before. In recent years creativity has acted as a medium to challenge the status quo. Equally, politicians have a significant role in advocating the interests of their constituents in Parliament through debates and Select Committees. Whilst 8.4 million people listened to Stormzy’s Spotify each month, it is still Whitehall and the political establishment that legislate on real-world issues - from roads and schools, to taxes and civil liberties. Nonetheless, whilst they may not have a seat in the House of Commons or a mandate from the ballot box, is the implicit influence of a cultural icon more relevant than that of our politicians? Ultimately, is Stormzy more relevant than Boris Johnson?

OPPOSITION Jonathan Illan

Senior Lecturer in criminology at the University of London. He has studied UK rap, grime, and drill from an ethnographical standpoint and has published work on the criminalisation of drill music.

Inaya Iman

Writer, broadcaster and campaigner. She is the creator and host of ‘The Discussion’ on GB News and is the Founder and Director of ‘The Equiano Project’, a forum to promote open dialogue on the subjects of race, identity, and culture.

Sheldon Thomas

Chief Executive of the ‘Gangsline Foundation Trust’, a non-profit organisation established to assist young people involved in gang culture. He founded the Trust having been in a gang in his past, and has advised Scotland Yard, the Home Office, and Theresa May.

THE OXFORD UNION

2 THIS HOUSE

WOULD CAP OXBRIDGE PRIVATE SCHOOL ADMISSIONS AT 7% THURSDAY 5TH MAY 8.30PM 10

T R I N I T Y 2 0 2 2 | D E B AT E S

PROPOSITION Professor Daniel Markovitz

Professor of Law at Yale Law School. In 2019, he authored ‘The Meritocracy Trap’, in which he argues that ‘meritocracy has become the single greatest obstacle to equal opportunities in America today’.

Will Hutton

Journalist, and regular columnist for The Observer. He co-Chairs the Purposeful Company, and is President-designate of the Academy of Social Sciences. He was previously Principal of Hertford College, Oxford.

93% of UK university students are state-educated, yet at Oxford and Cambridge, UK state-school admissions are 20% lower. Should action be taken to address this disparity? On the one hand, Oxbridge’s admissions process is arguably unfair; those from privately educated backgrounds with educated, wellnetworked parents have access to an array of preparation assistance, while many state-school students lack a single Oxbridge role model from their school. On the other hand, opponents cite risks: applicants will be encouraged to game the system, students will be defined by their schooling background, and a culture that rewards merit may be lost. Would Oxbridge’s reputation as an impartial judge of merit be put at risk? Or as engines of social mobility and pipelines to the governing class, do Oxford and Cambridge have a responsibility to encourage greater socioeconomic equality?

OPPOSITION Alice Wilcock

Head of Education Policy at the Centre for Social Justice. Studied PPE at Brasenose College, Oxford, graduating in 2018.

THE OXFORD UNION

3 THIS HOUSE

WOULD REPATRIATE CONTESTED ARTEFACTS

THURSDAY 12TH MAY 8.30PM

T R I N I T Y 2 0 2 2 | D E B AT E S

PROPOSITION Chika Okeke-Agulu

Artist, curator, and historian specialising in African and African diaspora art history. He is Director of African Studies at Princeton University and was appointed as the Kirk Varnedoe Visiting Professor at New York University.

Steph Scholten

Director of the Hunterian Museum. He has previously served as Director of Heritage Collections at the University of Amsterdam, and has worked for the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, and for the National Institute for Conservation in Amsterdam.

Alice Procter

Art historian, art activist, and creator of ‘Uncomfortable Art Tours’, an educational project offering unofficial guided tours exploring the imperial background of major institutions. She also runs a gallery and museum review podcast, ‘The Exhibitionist’.

Stephen Fry

British actor, activist, broadcaster, comedian, director, and writer. He has repeatedly appealed to the British government for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece. He has written in support of the #LostMyMarbles campaign on Twitter, and has expressed his wish to see the statues steeped in the ‘blue lights of Greece’.

Whether the Elgin Marbles should be returned is a perennial question. Amidst increasing scrutiny of symbols of Europe’s colonial past, multiple states and the UN have called for the return of contested cultural property. From the Koh-i-Noor Diamond and the Rosetta Stone, to the Benin Bronzes and Moai Statues of Easter Island, British instituitions are full of artefacts claimed by nations across the globe. This poses the question of whether it is time for museums to heed the calls to ‘wash [their] hands of blood and return’ everything. Can any country ever legitimately own artefacts of collective historic significance? Can modern states truly lay claim to their countries’ history?

OPPOSITION Gary Vikan

Academic and former Director of the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. He has curated a number of critically acclaimed exhibitions, provides consulting services to cultural clients and pursues projects at the intersection of the arts and sciences.

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SPECIAL DEBATE: TERMLY MEMBERS’ DEBATE SATURDAY 14TH MAY 8.30PM 14

T R I N I T Y 2 0 2 2 | D E B AT E S

First Motion: This House Would Rather Get A Life Than A First

Second Motion: This House Would Introduce A 100% Inheritance Tax The Members’ Debate celebrates the history of the Oxford Union as a Members’ debating society. The Main Speakers opening each debate motion will be student and alumni Members, rather than external guests, and all Members are encouraged to make floor speeches. If you would like to apply to be a Main Speaker, please complete the application form circulated via the Union’s Mailing List. The application deadline is Midnight on Sunday 1st May 2022.

Drinks from the Members’ Bar can be brought into the Chamber. Prizes will be awarded for the best speeches. Dress code (optional): Black Tie or Cultural Dress.

Please email development@oxford-union.org with any queries.

THE OXFORD UNION

THIS HOUSE

WOULD ABOLISH BORDERS

THURSDAY 19TH MAY 8.30PM

T R I N I T Y 2 0 2 2 | D E B AT E S

PROPOSITION Paul Donovan

Global Chief Economist for UBS Wealth Management. He is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Chief Economist Community, and has authored books examining topics such as the concept of the environmental credit crunch and inflation inequality.

Mike O’Sullivan

Author, economist, and investor. His book ‘The Levelling’ argues that the era of globalisation is now over, and is being replaced by an increasingly values-driven world order. He previously served as Chief Investment Officer for International Wealth Management at Credit Suisse.

Colin Yeo

Immigration and asylum barrister. In 2020, he authored ‘Welcome to Britain: Fixing Our Broken Immigration System’, in which he argues that the British immigration system is ‘unforgiving, unfeeling and, ultimately, falling’.

The nation state has been the fabric of the post-War world order. The demise of imperialism, the rise of nationalism, and the codification of international borders created a world in which the boundaries of political power were determined by nationality and identity. Decades on from the acceptance of this axiom of international relations, the world is increasingly facing problems which these geographically limited units are unable to deal with. From the rise of big tech companies, to climate change, to the refugee crisis and mass migration, the nation-state is being stretched to its practical and theoretical limits. Does this show that we need to move beyond borders? Or merely that we need to fix the problems in our current world order?

OPPOSITION Dr Catherine Bragg Humanitarian and academic. She has previously served as United Nations Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and Director General of the Humanitarian Assistance, Peace and Security Programme in the Canadian International Development Agency.

Professor Michael Hetcher

Sociologist and Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Washington. His work explores nationalism, state formation, collective action, and social order.

THE OXFORD UNION

THIS HOUSE

BELIEVES MONARCHY IS MERE CELEBRITY

THURSDAY 26TH MAY 8.30PM 18

T R I N I T Y 2 0 2 2 | D E B AT E S

PROPOSITION Jack Royston

Chief Royal Correspondent at Newsweek. He has previously served as a news reporter and Royal Correspondent at The Sun, and published a wide variety of articles on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Her Majesty the Queen, and the Duke of York.

There is nothing more quintessentially British than the monarchy. Her Majesty’s unsaid mantra of ‘never complain, never explain’ has theoretically served as a guiding principle for the conduct of the Royal Family. The proliferation of mass media and the internet has, however, presented severe challenges for this mantra and the institution it protects. Running tabloid commentary and total scrutiny of the lives of the Royal Family has dramatically changed the relationship between the British people and the Crown, with the deference and divine right of the past giving way to celebrity status. To many, the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex represented the conclusion of this: the fusion of Hollywood and Holyrood. In this Jubilee year, in which the monarchy is being celebrated more than ever, the question of what the monarchy stands for is more relevant than ever. Where is the line between monarchy and celebrity? In an age without deference, is the monarchy moving with the times or being moved by the times?

OPPOSITION Richard Fitzwilliams

Royal commentator, publisher, and film critic. He has served as the live commentator for CNN on various royal weddings, funerals, and state visits, and has contributed to royal coverage at the BBC, Sky News, and LBC.

Count Nikolai Tolstoy

British monarchist, historian, and the current head of the Russian noble family, the House of Tolstoy. He is the incumbent Chancellor of the International Monarchist League.

Angela Levin

Journalist, royal biographer, author, broadcaster, and public speaker. She has written for The Telegraph and authored, ‘Harry: Conversations with the Prince’. Her biography of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla) is due to be released in September 2022.

Robert Hardman

British journalist, author, and documentary maker. He currently writes for The Daily Mail and was previously a columnist and royal correspondant at The Telegraph.

THE OXFORD UNION

6 THIS HOUSE

BELIEVES THE RAJ LIVES ON

THURSDAY 2ND JUNE 8.30PM

T R I N I T Y 2 0 2 2 | D E B AT E S

PROPOSITION Hamid Mir

Pakistani journalist and author. He has covered conflicts in the Middle East and Kashmir. He was the only journalist to interview Osama bin Laden after the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

Professor Shruti Kapila

Associate Professor of History at the University of Cambridge. She is the Editor of An Intellectual History for India and the co-Editor of Political Thought in Action: The Bhagavad Gita and Modern India.

Almost 75 years after the 1947 Partition, India and Pakistan have changed dramatically and been joined by a third post-Raj nation state: Bangladesh. As these three states have grown, developed and become more relevant on the world stage, the legacy of centuries of British rule has become ever more pertinent. Whilst in many ways these nations have cast off the legacy of imperial rule, the remnants of the Raj remain evident in areas ranging from education and law to infrastructure and sport. India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are moving into a new chapter of their national stories as the living memory of the Raj begins to fade. How far have these states come in achieving their fledgling visions and forging independent identities? Is the Raj consigned to history, or has it embedded itself into the current story of post-Raj states?

OPPOSITION Professor Faisal Devji

Professor of History at the University of Oxford, specialising in the study of Islam and globalisation. He focuses on understanding violence from a philosophical and cultural lens.

Akhilesh Pillalamarri

International Relations analyst. He is a contributor to The Diplomat, writing on foreign policy, politics, history and geography. His studies focus on India’s foreign relations affairs, particularly Sino-Indian bilateral relations.

THE OXFORD UNION

7 THIS HOUSE

HAS NO CONFIDENCE IN NATO

THURSDAY 9TH JUNE 8.30PM

T R I N I T Y 2 0 2 2 | D E B AT E S

PROPOSITION Professor Miles Yu

Historian and strategist. He has previously served as a Policy Advisor to the Trump administration on Chinese foreign affairs. He is a Professor of Military History at the US Naval Academy and a Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute.

Dr Christian Emery

Academic and Lecturer in International Relations at UCL. He previously served as Director of the International Centre for Defence and Security.

Despite Emmanuel Macron labelling NATO ‘as becoming brain-dead’ in 2019, NATO membership has continued to expand, with the recent additions of North Macedonia and Montenegro. This expansion has coincided with a slow but steady demilitarisation of NATO. With very few member states spending the minimum of 2% of GDP on defence, and with recent crises in Eastern Europe, is the ability of NATO to defend itself and its principles in peril? Is NATO still fit for purpose?

OPPOSITION Mary Beth Long

Entrepreneur and former US Government offical. She previously served as Chair of NATO’S High Level Group and Assistant Secretary of Defence in the Bush administration.

Professor Kiron Skinner

Former Director of Policy Planning and Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State during the Trump administration. She is the Taube Professor of International Relations and Politics at Carnegie Mellon University.

His Excellency Juri Luik

Estonian diplomat and politician. He is the current Permanent Representative of Estonia to NATO and the former Minister of Defence and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia.

THE OXFORD UNION

8 THIS HOUSE

WOULD LIVE IN THE METAVERSE

THURSDAY 16TH JUNE 8.30PM

T R I N I T Y 2 0 2 2 | D E B AT E S

PROPOSITION Jim Ryan

President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment. Under his supervision, the Company launched Playstation technical specs and VR controllers.

Mark Penn

Entrepreneur, pollster, political strategist, and author. He is currently Chairman and CEO of Stagwell Inc and has previously served as Microsoft’s Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer.

Mati Kochavi

Chairman and owner of AGT International. He has previously founded several other technology companies including 3iMIND and Vocativ.

From Club Penguin and Facebook algorithms one day, to NFTs and VR headsets the next, we are currently living in an age of breakneck digital transformation. In this transformative age, the once niche idea of a metaverse is becoming our new meeting space. As a virtual world in which one can own digital assets, ranging from sneakers to a beach house on Mars, the metaverse raises important questions concerning data and privacy. Advertisers in the metaverse can track users’ emotional state, facial expressions, and even heartbeat. Despite this, some believe that the metaverse will connect people, countries, and communities. It has been argued that an immersive metaverse will substantially increase accessibility, equality, and inclusivity, compared with the Zoom meetings which have become the new normal postpandemic. Is this a future we should welcome with open arms? Will the metaverse be a decentralised heaven or centralised tyranny?

OPPOSITION Professor Sylvie Delacroix

Professor in Law and Ethics at the University of Birmingham, with a particular interest in Machine Ethics and Agency. She co-Chairs the Data Trust Initiative, which helps people choose how their personal data is used.

Margi Murphy

Journalist who has written extensively on technology and science topics for many news outlets, including Bloomberg and Techworld.

Mike Butcher

Editor-at-Large of TechCrunch. He has co-founded successful startups including TechHub, which provides a global community for tech entrepreneurs.

THE OXFORD UNION

Floor prizes Bella Italia 5 x £25 vouchers Mamma Mia 2 x Dinner for Two with A Bottle of Wine The Perch Dinner for Two with A Bottle of Wine Tommi’s Burger Joint 8 x Vouchers Pizza Pilgrims 6 x ‘Free Pizza’ Vouchers TOAD 2 x Distillery Tour Tickets Randolph Afternoon Tea for two Barefoot 8” Celebration Cake

T R I N I T Y 2 0 2 2 | D E B AT E S

THE OXFORD UNION

SPECIAL EVENTS Dear members, The Union has a proud history of serving as a platform for the discussions that matter. To that end, this term we have organised a range of panel events which complement our traditional Thursday night debates, providing an opportunity for more intimate discussion. Our panels this term cover a range of topics, ranging from religion and politics, to nuclear proliferation. We are proud to present important conversations about some of the defining issues of our time and to uplift voices that often go unheard. As Director of Strategy, I work to ensure a diverse and innovative lineup of events, and advise on the Society’s broader strategic development and long-term projects. If you have any thoughts as to how the Union can help members make the most of what it has to offer, or ideas for special projects or collaborations, don’t hesitate to drop me an email. Best wishes,

Kyoka Hadano Director of Strategy University College director.strategy@oxford-union.org

TRINITY 2022 | SPECIAL EVENTS

Interfaith Roundtable on Religion and Politics

11th May 5pm IN PERSON

The role of religion in politics remains fraught with controversy. From the United States Declaration of Independence’s invocation of the ‘Creator’ endowing men with ‘certain unalienable Rights’, to the inscription on the Saudi flag reading ‘there is no God but Allah, Mohammed is the Prophet of Allah’, many states were founded on principles inspired by religion. On the other hand, there are many who reject the role of religion in politics. In France, the principle of Laïcité strictly divides the religious from the political. Meanwhile, secularist advocates in the United States have advocated for the removal of references to God on public buildings and currency. This roundtable discussion seeks to bring together a wide range of faiths to discuss the proper role of religion in politics. Does politics inevitably converge with religion? Or should religion, in this modern and increasingly secular age, decouple itself from politics?

SPEAKERS Bruce Gordon

Titus Street Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Yale Divinity School. A late medieval and early modern historian, he has written foundational texts on the Reformation and Calvinism. Most recently, he has authored a book on the life of Swiss reformer Ulrich Zwingli.

Herb Silverman

Founder and President of the Secular Coalition for America and a Professor Emeritus at the College of Charleston. A committed atheist, he successfully struck down South Carolina’s religious requirement for public office and has authored various advocacy pieces in favour of secularism.

Dr Miri Freud-Kandel

Fellow and Lecturer in Modern Judaism at the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies. She was co-Editor of Modern Judaism: An Oxford Guide and has written extensively on Orthodox Judaism in modern Britain.

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15th June 8pm ONLINE EVENT

Watergate Panel Whilst the world has changed significantly since the Watergate Scandal fifty years ago, one question remains as controversial and timely as ever: how powerful is the US presidency? Post 9/11, concern resurfaced over the possible return of the imperial presidency since its post Watergate decline. Watergate birthed public distrust of the government which continues to linger. Following the Trump administration, it is vital to re-examine the long-term impact of Watergate and how applicable its lessons are today. Does Watergate still hold significance in the 21st century?

SPEAKERS John Dean

President Richard Nixon’s lawyer for a fateful 1,000 days, which he recounted to the Senate Watergate Committee in 1973. He has since become a prolific writer exposing abuses of government power, and is the author of Authoritarian Nightmare: Trump and His Followers.

Professor Jeffrey A. Engel

Founding Director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University. He is the author of Impeachment: An American History, in which he examines the Constitution and the Trump administration.

Professor Timothy Naftali

Founding director of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, where he created the Watergate exhibit and ensured the accessibility of the Nixon tapes and over a million presidential documents. He is the author of Impeachment: An American History.

Professor Iwan Morgan

Emeritus Professor of United States History at the Institute of the Americas, University College London. His research examines US politics.

TRINITY 2022 | SPECIAL EVENTS

Education: A Broken Social Contract

TBD

Education ought to be the bedrock of progress across British society. However, increasingly we have seen a breakdown in the ability of education to prepare young people for the future that awaits them. In an age where the playing field is already uneven, we see vulnerable groups including low income students, care leavers, and disabled people left behind at record numbers. The mainstream rhetoric of ‘going to university’ has perpetually fed a narrative that the only route to success is via higher education, taking value away from apprenticeships and BTECs. Furthermore, the most vulnerable are disproportionately represented in the exclusion-to-prison pipeline. This reality has accelerated calls for wholescale reform to the education system for the purpose of ensuring equality for all, irrespective of circumstance, race or gender. This panel aims to shine a light on the status quo, to explore what the future should look like, and, crucially, to examine how we may get there.

SPEAKERS Geoff Barton

Headteacher of King Edward VI School. He is a member of the DCSF English Board, and leads the Specialist Schools & Academies Trust’s national programme for English.

Matt Hood OBE

Co-Founder and Principal of Oak National Academy, the national online classroom and teacher resource hub created during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was awarded an OBE in 2020 for services to education.

Jade Bowler

Most commonly known for her popular Youtube channel, Unjaded Jade, she is one of the first study YouTubers, giving study advice, and university advice. She has also published a book on studying and is an education advocate.

Salman Khan

Founder and CEO of Khan Academy, a free online platform that has produced over 6,500 video lessons on various academic disciplines, with a particular focus on STEM subjects. What originally started as an idea to help his cousins has since boomed into a global classroom with over 7 million subscribers. Khan is also the founder of Khan Lab School, a school associated with Khan Academy.

THE OXFORD UNION

TBD

Head-to-Head Discussion Nuclear Proliferation: the Peacemaker? In a 1993 issue of Foreign Affairs, international relations scholar John Mearsheimer argued in favour of a ‘Ukrainian nuclear deterrent’, building off a 1981 paper by Kenneth Waltz titled ‘The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: More May Be Better’. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the expiration of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, and the recent expansion of the Chinese nuclear arsenal, some commentators and scholars have argued in favour of the modernization of western nuclear arsenals to maintain deterrence and keep the peace. On the other hand, officials and scholars have raised concerns about the possibility of renewed proliferation and the consequences that may bring to global security. Indeed, the Biden administration has sought to reduce what it deems the United States’ excessive ‘reliance and expenditure’ on nuclear weapons. Does nuclear proliferation deter conflict, or does it bring us towards the brink of Armageddon?

SPEAKERS Professor Philip Bobbitt KBE

The Herbert Wechsler Professor of Federal Jurisprudence at Columbia Law School and a leading scholar of constitutional law and grand strategy. He has authored influential works in both subjects whilst also leading a storied career in government service as Legal Counsel to the Iran-Contra Committee, Counselor for International Law at the U.S. Department of State, and Senior Director of Strategic Planning on the U.S. National Security Council.

Christopher Ashley Ford

Former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs during the Trump Administration. During his tenure, the United States withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and modernized its nuclear arsenal.

TRINITY 2022 | SPECIAL EVENTS

TBD

Prison Reform Panel The Nationality and Borders Bill had focused political discussion on the criminal justice system, with the proposed legislation giving the government powers to criminally penalise asylum seekers in violation of Article 31 of the Refugees Convention. The outrage this bill has produced is directed only at the most salient injustices in a criminal justice system which seems to convert social disadvantages into crimes. Just societies are defined not just by how they distribute their assets and opportunities but also by who they punish, in what way, and what for. This injustice is not just brought upon prisoners but society as a whole, which feels the strain of a prison system which fails to rehabilitate ex-convicts. This panel will seek to critically assess UK prisons and ask how they should best be reformed to help lead the way towards a more just and equal society.

SPEAKERS The Reverend Jonathan Aitken

A former cabinet minister and current Church of England Priest. He served a seven month imprisonment in 1999. He is now a Director of Prison Fellowship International. He has written two books, both of which focus on prison reform.

Erwin James

Mr James’ first conviction came when he was eleven years old for robbing a shop. He served a Mandatory Life Sentence for Murder, during which time he became a Guardian columnist. He now works as the Chief Editor of Inside Time and has served as a trustee of the Prison Reform Trust.

THE OXFORD UNION

21st Century War Crimes Panel

TBD

Established in 1998, the International Criminal Court (ICC) was mandated to investigate and try individuals and communities accused of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression. Governed by the Rome Statute, the ICC is the world’s first permanent international criminal court. While the Court has indicted several world leaders such as Omar al Bashir and Colonel Gaddafi, it is criticised for turning a blind eye to perpetrators in other regions and for being a political instrument of the West. The Court has faced serious legitimacy issues for closing the investigation into alleged NATO war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan and for not investigating the treatment of the Uygher Muslims in China. Recently, several nations have referred the acts of Russian leaders over the invasion of Ukraine to the ICC. As conflict proliferates across the globe the ICC is more relevant than ever, but does it have the strength to do its job? Or has it lost its purpose?

SPEAKERS Kenneth Roth

The Executive Director of Human Rights Watch. In 1987, Roth served as a federal prosecutor in New York and for the Iran-Contra investigation in Washington, DC. He has written extensively on a wide range of human rights abuses, devoting special attention to issues of international justice, counterterrorism, the foreign policies of the major powers, and the work of the United Nations.

Salih Hudayar

Salih Hudayar is a Uyghur American politician known for advocating for East Turkistan independence. He founded the East Turkistan National Awakening Movement and has since been leading the movement calling for the “restoration of East Turkistan’s independence.”

TRINITY 2022 | SPECIAL EVENTS

Neurodiversity: Celebrating Excellence

TBD

Neurodiversity has traditionally been seen as a taboo issue. Over time, we have been able to understand learning differences much more, and in turn what adjustments people need. Through this panel, we delve into the lives of neurodiverse individuals who have achieved success across a variety of fields. It will explore how living with neurodiversity in a world designed for neurotypicality often brings both gifts, such as a unique perspective, as well as challenges, from stigma to discrimination. The panel will share their personal stories and strategies in overcoming detrimental stereotypes and rising to the top of their careers, as well as discuss what the future looks like. Is a world where many kinds of minds are accepted and valued finally here, or is the pace of change still too slow?

TBD

THE OXFORD UNION

TBD

Black Artistry: The Root of Modern Music Black Music is everywhere; it dominates the charts and influences all music today, how we dress, speak, and interact. The scene’s growth has been spurred by the emergence of streaming, YouTube and social media, which has allowed new musicians to grow and be discovered. However, the very language these artists use has been most prolific in the genre’s growth. It specifically resonates with a young black audience and discusses issues which other genres retreat from, from black empowerment to domestic abuse. It dates back to the very invention of music. Now, Hip-hop/RnB is the biggest genre globally and regularly makes up over 50% of the western top 100 tracks. We also cannot forget the huge movements made in other genres from music produced by the Afro-Caribbean diaspora influenced by their roots in classical music. However, in the backdrop of all this, black musicians continue to have their content stolen, marginalised and appropriated, making it difficult for artists to emerge as their ‘sound’. Are the messages of the music too raw and uncut or will increasing commercialisation stifle creativity?

TBD

TRINITY 2022 | SPECIAL EVENTS

Members’ Open Forums This term, the Oxford Union is conducting consultations with five different groups of members - Access, Women, Disabled, BAME and LGBTQIA+ - to better understand the issues and then identify steps and actions to improve the treatment of historically underrepresented groups in the Union. Our Open Forum events taking place at the start of this term are your opportunity to critically engage with us and provide suggestions and feedback on what steps we can take moving forward. For more information, feel free to scan the QR code at the back of the termcard and learn more!

SPEAKERS

THE OXFORD UNION

SPEAKERS

TRINITY 2022 | SPEAKERS

Dear Members, I hope you are looking forward to this exciting Trinity term. As the weather gets warmer and the sun comes out, I look forward to welcoming you all into Frewin Court over the coming weeks. I am so proud of this Committee and the hard work they have put into this termcard. From the newest members of the team to the battle-hardened hacks, I hope you are able to recognise the immense effort many people have put into this term. As the Chair of Consultative Committee (CCC), my job is to facilitate events and chair the largest Committee in the Society, which can be attended by all members. This term, I will be striving to keep the Union in touch with its membership. If you have any ideas for how to improve the Society, please feel free to reach out to me or attend meetings of the Consultative Committee, which take place every Monday at 1.15pm in the Goodman Library. Furthermore, if you have any access requirements for events, please email events.access@oxfordunion.org and I will help sort out any issues.

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Keep an eye on our Facebook page and mailing list (which you can join via the website or through emailing enquiries@ oxford-union.org) to stay up-to-date with the latest events and information. This is also where we will circulate forms to ballot for a place at our ‘Meet and Greets’ with our guest speakers so that you have the opportunity to interact with guests in a more intimate setting. The ballot is random and successful members will be notified on the day of the event. Best wishes,

Alex Fish Chair of Consultative Committee Hertford College CCC@oxford-union.org

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0th WEEK

Dr Tomas Philipson

Economic Advisor to President Donald Trump Dr Tomas J. Philipson was formerly a full-time staffer and public servant at The White House, ultimately serving as Acting Chairman of The President’s Council of Economic Advisers. Dr Philipson holds the Daniel Levin Chair of Public Policy at the University of Chicago. He received a BA in Mathematics from Uppsala University, an MA from Claremont Graduate University, and an MA and PhD from Wharton School of Business. He co-founded Precision Health Economics LLC, has received numerous research awards, and is a twotime winner of the Arrow Award of The International Health Economics Association. He was also senior economic advisor to the FDA and CMS, and has a column in Forbes.

Thursday, 21st April 5pm

TRINITY 2022 | SPEAKERS

1st WEEK

Jung Chang

Writer

Jung Chang is the author of best-selling books Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China, Mao: The Unknown Story, and Big Sister, Little Sister, Red Sister. Her most highly acclaimed, Wild Swans, is banned in mainland China, and tells Tuesday, 26th April the story of three generations of Chinese 5pm women within her own family, covering their experiences through the Sino-Japanese War and Mao’s Premiership. Her parents were denounced and imprisoned during the Cultural Revolution, during which she worked as a ‘barefoot’ doctor, before becoming an English-language student at Sichuan University. Her books have sold over 10 million copies worldwide and have been translated in over 40 languages.

1st WEEK

Cath Kidston MBE Fashion Designer

Catherine Kidston MBE is a British fashion designer and founder of Cath Kidston Limited, an international home furnishing retail company. The company has opened more than 136 stores and outlets, with a Thursday, 28th flagship store in London’s Piccadilly and four outlets in China. She has worked with many notable companies 5pm including Nokia and Carphone Warehouse, as well as Marie Curie Cancer Care. She is famous for her floral designs and iconic prints, and her designs have been worn by HRH the Duchess of Cambridge and HRH Prince George of Cambridge.

April

THE OXFORD UNION

2nd WEEK

Anthony Joshua OBE Former World Heavyweight Champion

Anthony Joshua OBE is the former two time unified Heavy Weight Champion of the World. He is a seasoned champion having competed and won gold in the London 2012 Olympics, and his fights have attracted some of the highest viewing figures in the sport’s history. He is the only boxer to have sold out four back to back stadium fights, including Wembley Stadium twice. He has helped re-ignite interest in boxing in the UK and attracted some of the biggest global brands to the sport.

Monday, 2nd May 8pm

TRINITY 2022 | SPEAKERS

THE OXFORD UNION

2nd WEEK

Sir Ben Ainslie CBE Olympic Sailor

Sir Ben Ainslie is the most decorated sailor of all time, having won five Olympic medals from 1996 onwards. He carried the flag for Team GB in the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics and is now CEO of INEOS Brittania, the British team for the Atlantic Cup. Sir Ben was made a Commander of Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2009 and was knighted in 2013 for services to sailing.

Monday, 2nd May 5pm

TRINITY 2022 | SPEAKERS

2nd WEEK

Rt. Hon Lady Vivien Rose DBE PC UK Supreme Court Justice

Lady Rose is a senior British judge currently sitting as a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. Having studied at Newnham College Cambridge, followed by a postgraduate degree at Brasenose College, Oxford, she was called to the bar in 1984 and she later became a judge, sitting on the High Court from 2013, and being appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2019. In 2021, Lady Rose was nominated to be a Justice of the Supreme Court and was raised to the peerage. Her most notable judicial decision involved Singularis Holdings Limited and Daiwa Capital Markets Europe Limited in relation to a breach of the Quincecare duty.

Wednesday, 4th May 8pm

THE OXFORD UNION

2nd WEEK

Roman Kemp

Radio and TV Personality

Roman Kemp is a Radio host and TV personality who is currently host of Capital Radio’s breakfast show, where he has interviewed celebrities including Harry Styles and Billie Eilish. Kemp has presented several other shows Friday, 6th such as the UK X-Factor, Hot Desk and Martin 5pm & Roman’s Sunday Best! which he presented with his father, the singer Martin Kemp. He has also featured on television shows I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Celebrity Gogglebox, and Loose Women. Kemp has been an advocate for men’s mental health, as seen in his BBC3 documentary Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency.

May

3rd WEEK

Mark Labbett

‘The Beast’ on The Chase

Mark Labbett (aka ‘The Beast’) is a British quizzer and television personality, having featured on ‘The Chase’ since 2009. Before this he was a maths teacher and had competed on television quiz shows such as Mastermind, Monday, 9th May University Challenge, and Who Wants To Be A 8pm Millionaire. Mr Labbett has been recognised as a champion quizzer, having placed 5th with his team in the European Quizzing Championships 2006, and having been ranked 89th in the World Quizzing Championships in 2012. Most recently, Mr Labbett has re-joined the Australian version of ‘The Chase’. 46

TRINITY 2022 | SPEAKERS

3rd WEEK

Jack Savoretti Singer and Songwriter

Jack Savoretti is a British acoustic singer, songwriter, and musician. He has released seven studio albums, of which, ‘Singing to Strangers’, made it to number 1 on the British Albums chart. Savoretti is known for his unique sound and genre, Europiana, which draws on his Swiss-Italian-British-American upbringing to create something new. Savoretti draws on his childhood memories of summers spent by the Mediterranean coast to influence his sound and music.

Tuesday, 10th May 5pm

THE OXFORD UNION

3rd WEEK

Bill Browder

American-British financier and activist Bill Browder is an American hedge fund manager who was at one point the largest foreign portfolio investor in Russia. The primary aim of his investment was shareholder rights activism; Browder took on large Russian companies such as Gazprom, Surgutneftegaz and Unified Energy Systems. In 2005, he was denied entry to Russia, which declared him to be a threat to national security due to this activism. Browder maintains that this was actually because he had exposed corruption in the country. In the years since, following the death of his lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, Putin accused Browder of three murders, which was widely regarded as an attempt to discredit him. Browder has since developed a reputation for his anti-corruption campaigning.

Tuesday, 10th May 8pm 48

TRINITY 2022 | SPEAKERS

3rd WEEK

Alex Hibbert

Polar Expedition Leader

Alex Hibbert is a British polar explorer, author and photographer who holds numerous records for Arctic exploration. Hibbert studied at St Hugh’s College, Oxford before joining the Royal Marines. In 2008, along with his teammate George Bullard, Hibbert crossed the Greenland ice cap twice, along a new route, in 113 days. Monday, 9th May This is still the record for the longest unsupported Arctic 5pm expedition. Since then, he has published several works about his travels, planned and undertaken several expeditions and is currently trying to organise an attempt to reach the Geographic North Pole unsupported in the darkness of winter.

3rd WEEK

Jen Easterly

Director of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency Jen Easterly is the Director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). She was nominated by President Biden in April 2021 and unanimously confirmed by the Senate on July Friday, 13th May 12, 2021. Before serving in her current role, 8pm Ms Easterly was the firm’s head of the Fusion Resilience Centre at Morgan Stanley. She also has a long tradition of public service including two tours at the White House, most recently as Special Assistant to President Obama and Senior Director for Counterterrorism, and earlier as Executive Assistant to National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice in the George W. Bush Administration. 49

THE OXFORD UNION

4th WEEK

Sir Paul Smith Fashion Designer

Sir Paul Smith is a British fashion designer, whose distinctive products are sold in over 70 countries. He was made a Royal Designer for Industry in 1991 and has been deemed Designer of the Year four times consecutively by GQ. He has produced designs for a vast litany of clients, from David Bowie to Manchester United and the Men In Black franchise. However, his repertoire extends far beyond clothing; he designed Stamps marking the 2012 Olympics and has worked on multiple cars, including collaborating with Land Rover and creating a 2021 Mini in alignment with sustainable principles.

Monday, 16th May 12pm

TRINITY 2022 | SPEAKERS

4th WEEK

Hon. Pedro Pablo Kuczynski Godard Former President of Peru

Pedro Godard is a Peruvian politician who served as the President of Peru from 2016-2018 and Peruvian Prime Minister from 2005-2006. He has held numerous other ministerial portfolios including Minister of Economy and Finance from 2001-2002 under Alejandro Toledo. Kuczynski resigned from the presidency of Peru in 2018 following his impeachment and is currently in pretrial detention as a result of an investigation into money laundering, corruption, and bribery.

Monday, 16th May 5pm (ONLINE)

THE OXFORD UNION

4th WEEK

Noam Chomsky Philosopher and Linguist

Widely considered to be the founder of modern linguistics, Chomsky is also a political theorist and activist. He is one of the most cited scholars in modern history and one of the most influential public intellectuals in the world. He has commented on almost Monday, 16th May all topics of global importance, including the perils of war, 8pm (ONLINE) the urgency of reversing climate change, and dangers to democracy. Chomsky has not only transformed the field of linguistics, having introduced concepts that underlie all human speech, but his work has also influenced fields such as cognitive science, philosophy, psychology, computer science, mathematics, childhood education, and anthropology. He has received numerous awards, including the Orwell Prize, Kyoto Prize in Basic Sciences and the Helmholtz Medal.

4th WEEK

Clarissa Ward Award-winning reporter

Clarissa Ward is a seven-time Emmy award winning journalist and currently the Chief International Correspondent for CNN. One of the first reporters to cover the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, her career has Tuesday, 17th May been marked by documentation of prominent international 8pm conflicts. She coordinated Fox News’ coverage of the capture and execution of Saddam Hussein and covered the war in Afghanistan for ABC and Syrian uprising for CBS. Ward has also spoken at the UN Security Council on Aleppo and reported on the Russian Security Services’ pursuit of Alexei Nalvany in the 2010s as part of a documentary on the issue.

TRINITY 2022 | SPEAKERS

4th WEEK

Fengsuo Zhou

Tianamen Square Organiser

Zhou, Fengsuo is the Co-founder and current President of Humanitarian China and an advocate of human rights. During the Tiananmen protests in 1989, he built and led “Voice of the Student Movements” on Tiananmen Square. He was No. 5 on the Wednesday, 18th May most wanted list of student leaders after the Tiananmen Massacre, and was arrested and spent a year in prison. He 5pm was director and then president of the Chinese Democracy Education Foundation between 2001 and 2010. He slipped back into Beijing to commemorate the 25 anniversary of Tiananmen Massacre, where he was arrested and sent back. Later that year he also participated Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong.

4th WEEK

Alexandre Arnault CEO and Financier

Alexandre Arnault is the Executive Vice President of Products and Communication at Tiffany & Co. Born in France, his first major move at the jewelry brand was to create an Audrey Hepburn-inspired campaign featuring Beyonce and Jay-Z. He holds a Master’s degree in Science, majoring in innovation from the Ecole Polytechnique.

Wednesday, 18th May 8pm

THE OXFORD UNION

4th WEEK

His Eminence Shawki Allam Grand Mufti of Egypt

His Eminence Dr Shawki Allam is the nineteenth and current Grand Mufti of Egypt, a position he has held since March 4th 2013. He is considered by many to be one of the highest religious clerics in the Sunni Muslim World, and received his PhD from the AlAzhar University in Islamic Jurisprudence. In 2018 he was awarded the Pakistani ‘Medal of Excellence’ (the highest civil award in the country) by the President of Pakistan for his role in combating violent extremism worldwide. He is also the President of the General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide, and is responsible for reviewing all death sentences in Egypt.

Thursday, 19th May 5pm

TRINITY 2022 | SPEAKERS

5th WEEK

Peter Singer AC Philosopher

Peter Singer is an Australian philosopher, working primarily in practical ethics. He is currently the Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics at Princeton University, and was named the ‘most influential living philosopher’ by The New Yorker. He is best known for his writings on global poverty, which have attracted controversy and protest. Notably, in his essay ‘Famine, Affluence and Morality’, he argues in favour of an obligation to help the global poor, and in his book ‘Animal Liberation: A New Ethics for Our Treatment of Animals’, he questions the societal norm of putting human needs above those of other species. In 2021, he was awarded the $1 million Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture.

Tuesday, 24th May 5pm

THE OXFORD UNION

TRINITY 2022 | SPEAKERS

5th WEEK

Lord Alan Sugar Kt

Businessman and The Apprentice Host Lord Alan Sugar is a business magnate, politician, author, and media personality. He is well-known as the host of the long-running TV show The Apprentice. At 21 years old, he founded electronics company Amstrad, which he later sold for £125 million. He was also the Chairman of football club Tottenham Hotspur FC for ten years.

Tuesday, 24th May 8pm

THE OXFORD UNION

5th WEEK

Robbie Lyle Sports Personality

Robbie Lyle is the Founder and main Presenter of Arsenal Fan TV, a YouTube channel which now has over one billion views and is aimed at airing the opinions of real fans. The channel rose to fame during a debate about the future of Wednesday, 25th former manager Arséne Wenger in the 2016-17 season. Since then, he has hosted Channel 4’s 5pm The Real Football Fan Show, as well as appearing as the subject of the ITV documentary Robbie Lyle: Football Fans Under Their Skin, in which he discusses racism within football and the experiences of black football supporters.

May

6th WEEK

Ali Abdaal YouTuber

Monday, 30th 5pm

Ali Abdaal is a medicine graduate, podcaster, and investment guru with over 2.8m subscribers on YouTube. He studied medicine at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and co-founded 6med, a company which provides support to students May applying for medicine. In 2021 he left medicine to become a full-time content creator. His channel aims to help people lead ‘happier, healthier and more productive lives’ and instructs in a range of skills from sourcing passive income to speed typing to life lessons.

TRINITY 2022 | SPEAKERS

H.E. Dame Karen Pierce DCMG Ambassador to the USA

Her Excellency Dame Karen Pierce is Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States of America. Pierce joined the Foreign Office in 1981 and has held several different positions such as Head of Afghanistan Political Military Unit, Head of EU department, and Team leader for Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. Between 2015 and 2016 Pierce was HM Ambassador to Afghanistan. From 2006-2009 she was the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations, making her the first woman ever to hold this position. She went on to be President of the UN Security Council several times.

TBD

THE OXFORD UNION

6th WEEK

Levi Roots

Musician and Entrepreneur Levi Roots, also known as Keith Valentine Graham, is a British-Jamaican reggae musician who was nominated for the Best Reggae Act MOBO Award in 1998. He performed “Happy Birthday Mr. President” for Nelson Mandela during his 1996 London trip. In 2007, Roots also appeared on the British television program Dragon’s Den. Aside from being a musician, Roots has a jerk barbeque sauce Levi Roots’ Reggae Reggae Sauce and published the cookbook Levi Roots’ Reggae Reggae Cookbook. He is also a TV personality, having appeared on Caribbean Food Made Easy, Celebrity Mastermind and Big Brother.

Monday, 3rd June 5pm

TRINITY 2022 | SPEAKERS

6th WEEK

Natalie Dormer Actress

Wednesday, 1st 5pm

Natalie Dormer is a celebrated British actress most famous for her portrayal of Margaery Tyrell in Game of Thrones. Ms Dormer got her first acting job in Cassanova six months after leaving acting school. After Casanova, she went on to play roles June in numerous films including Private Lorraine in Captain America and Cressida in the Hunger Games. She shot to fame in 2012 when she was cast to play Margaery Tyrell in Game of Thrones, a role she played for four years. In 2018 she co-wrote a film, In Darkness.

6th WEEK

Secretary Chuck Hagel Former US Defense Secretary

Charles ‘Chuck’ Hagel served as the 24th United States Secretary of Defense between 2013 and 2015, having previously represented Nebraska as its Republican Senator between 1997 and 2009. Before his career in politics he was an infantry sergeant in the Vietnam War and Thursday, 2nd founded Vanguard Cellular. His nomination to 5pm Secretary of Defense was the first time that a nominee for Secretary of Defense had been filibustered. Hagel resigned from his post in 2015, and has since spoken against the delay of the presidential transition in 2020.

June

THE OXFORD UNION

6th WEEK

Denzel Curry American Rapper

Denzel Curry is an American rapper, whose works balance rhymes packed with introspective content and an evolving production palette drawing on hazy cloud rap and classic hip-hop songcraft. Born and raised in Carol City, Florida, Curry started rapping while in the sixth grade and began working on his first mixtape in 2011. Releasing his debut studio album, Nostalgic 64 in 2013 while he was still in high school, Curry has since released three extended plays and four albums. His projects have placed prominently on the Billboard 200 chart and continue to garner significant international acclaim.

Friday, 3rd June 8pm

TRINITY 2022 | SPEAKERS

7th WEEK

His Excellency Albin Kurti The Prime Minister of Kosovo

Albin Kurti is the incumbent Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, an office he has held since 22 March 2021. He previously served in that role between February and June 2020. He is also the President of Kosovo’s biggest political party Lëvizja Vetëvendosje. Kurti came to prominence in 1997 as the Vice-President of the University of Pristina Student Union, and organizer of non-violent demonstrations in 1997 and 1998. His role as Prime Minister of Kosovo is perceived as an essential factor of stability in the Western Balkans. Mr Kurti has pushed hard for Kosovo’s international recognition in the EU, the finalisation of the Kosovan-Serbian dialogue, as well as significant domestic reforms.

Monday, 6th June 3pm

THE OXFORD UNION

7th WEEK

Bear Grylls OBE Adventurer and TV star

Edward Michael “Bear” Grylls is an adventurer and television star best known for his TV shows The Island with Bear Grylls, and Running Wild with Bear Grylls where he adventured with celebrities like Barack Obama and Julia Roberts. Mr Grylls has climbed Mount Everest, crossed the North Atlantic, and set a world record for the longest indoor freefall. He began his career in the Special Air Service where he perfected his survival skills and went on to star in television shows such as Man vs Wild, which saw him pit himself against Mother Nature. His autobiography, Mud, Sweat and Tears, was a bestseller.

Monday, 6th June 5pm

TRINITY 2022 | SPEAKERS

7th WEEK

Professor Cass Sunstein American Legal Scholar

Cass Sunstein is a best-selling author and a leading legal scholar in the USA, best known for his work in behavioral economics. He worked as a professor in Chicago for over 25 years and has produced highly influential works on constitutional, environmental and administrative law. Between 2009 and 2012 he served in office as Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, under President Obama. He is one of the most cited contemporary legal scholars in the United States.

Monday, 6th June 8pm

THE OXFORD UNION

7th WEEK

Jon Sopel Journalist

Jonathan Sopel is an award-winning British journalist. He was the main presenter on BBC World News’ Global, chief political correspondent for BBC News, and the former BBC North America editor. In 2007, Sopel was voted ‘Political Journalist of the Year’ by the Public Affairs Industry and in 2013 he was shortlisted for ‘National Presenter of the Year’ by the Royal Television Society. Sopel has also authored a number of books on British and world politics.

Tuesday, 7th June 5pm

7th WEEK

Anil Agarwal Industrialist

Anil Agarwal is the founder and Chairman of Vedanta Resources Ltd, a company he transformed from its initial beginnings as a scrap metal business. His company was the first Indian firm to be listed on the London Saturday, 11th June Stock exchange. As part of his philanthropic 8pm mission, the Vedanta foundation has partnered with the Ministry of Women and Child development to modernise many child care centres throughout India. Additionally, the group has invested US$49.0 million into building hospitals, schools and infrastructure, working with charities to improve the livelihood of over 4.1 million people. He has personally pledged to donate 75% of his family’s wealth to charity. 66

TRINITY 2022 | SPEAKERS

8th WEEK

Justice Qazi Faez Isa Pakastani Supreme Court Justice

Justice Isa is a Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, a position he has held since 2017. Previously, he practiced law for 27 years, before serving on High Courts of Pakistan, the Wednesday, 15th June Supreme Court of Pakistan, and the Federal Shariat Court. From 2009 to 2014, he was 5pm also the Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court. Justice Isa has served on various boards including the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, and the Qauid-e-Azam Mazaar Management Board.

8th WEEK

Lady Glenconner British Socialite

Growing up in close proximity to the royal family, Lady Glenconner befriended both the Queen and her sister, Princess Margaret, at a very young age. Her friendship with Margaret was particularly strong and in 1971, Lady Glenconner Tuesday, 14th June became her Lady-In-Waiting, a position she would 8pm hold until the princesses’ death thirty one years later. In 2019 she wrote a memoir titled Lady in Waiting: My Extraordinary Life in the Shadow of the Crown, claiming “I was so fed up with people writing such terrible things about Princess Margaret”. In her role, she accompanied Princess Margaret all around the world and was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian order. 67

THE OXFORD UNION

Maria Chiuri

Artistic Director of Dior

Maria Grazia Chiuri is an Italian fashion designer and Dior’s Artistic Director. Starting her career at Fendi, she helped develop the famous Baguette bag. This was followed by seventeen years at Valentino, where she and her co-creative director, Pier Paolo Piccioli, revitalised the brand’s style and were awarded the CFDA International Award for their work in 2015. Succeeding Raf Simons at the creative helm of Dior, Maria Grazia is the first woman to hold the position since the creation of the brand in 1946. Under Chiuri’s direction, Dior brought back its saddle bag and created designs characterised by their minimalism and feminist claims. In 2019, Chiuri was awarded the Légion d’honneur, France’s highest accolade.

Vicente Fox

Former President of Mexico

TBD

Vicente Fox was the 62nd President of Mexico. serving from December 2000 to November 2006. As the leader of the National Action Party, he became the first president elected from an opposition party since 1911. Since leaving the presidency, he has developed the Vincete Fox Centre of Studies, Library and Museum.

TRINITY 2022 | SPEAKERS

His Excellency Seth George Ramocan CD

Jamaican High Commissioner to the UK His Excellency Seth Ramocan is the 13th and current Jamaican High Commissioner to the Court of St James (the UK). His Excellency’s first diplomatic role was as the Consul General of Jamaica in Toronto from 2009 to 2014. He is also the non-resident Ambassador to six countries namely: Ireland, Finland, Cyprus, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. During his tenure, Mr. Ramocan was appointed Dean of the Caribbean Consular Corps.

TBD

Alistair Bronwlee MBE Olympian and Triathlete

TBD

Alistair Brownlee MBE is a British triathlete. He is the only athlete to hold two Olympic titles in the triathlon event, winning gold medals in the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. He is also a two-time Triathlon World Champion, a two-time World Team Champion, a four-time European Champion and the 2014 Commonwealth champion. Along with his brother Jonathan, who is also an Olympic Gold medallist, Alistair is considered amongst the leading male Olympic distant triathletes of the 2010s.

THE OXFORD UNION

Alex Kingston

English Actress

TBD

Alex Kingston is an English actress. She is particularly well known for her roles as Moll Flanders in The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders, Dr Elizabeth Corday in ER, and River Song in Doctor Who. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Kingston joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her career has featured numerous acclaimed performances across theater, television and film both in the UK and the USA.

Álvaro Morte Spanish Actor

Álvaro Morte is a Spanish actor. He is well known for his role as The Professor in the international hit, Money Heist. His career has spanned a number of television series, including Hopsital Central, Planta 25, Bandolera, and Amar en tiempos revueltos. In 2012, he founded his own theatre company, 300 pistolas.

TBD

TRINITY 2022 | SPEAKERS

Abigail Thorn Actress & Philosopher

Popularly known as the mind behind Philosophy Tube, Abigail Thorn is a YouTuber and LGBTQ+ rights advocate. Thorn began her YouTube channel in 2013, with the aim of providing free philosophy lessons after British tuition fees were increased in 2012. Her channel currently has over one million subscribers.

TBD

Alexander Downer AC

Former Australian Leader of the Opposition

TBD

Australian former politician and diplomat who led the Liberal Party between 1994 and 1995. He also served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1996 to 2007 and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2014 to 2018. As of 2019 Downer is the Executive Chair of the International School for Government at King’s College London.

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Erik Prince

American Businessman

Erik Prince is an American businessman and former military officer. After serving in the U.S. Navy SEALs, Prince founded private military company Blackwater USA. During his tenure as CEO and TBD Chairman, Blackwater became one of the most prominent, if not controversial, private military companies, winning over $600 million in contracts while facing significant controversy. Following the sale of Blackwater in 2010, Prince founded the Frontier Resource Group, a private equity firm advising and supporting investment in the African oil and gas sector.

Tun Dr Mahathir Bin Mohamad Former Prime Minister of Malaysia

Longest-serving Malaysian prime minister, holding office twice from 1981 to 2003 and 2018 to 2020, respectively. During Mahathir’s first tenure as prime minister, Malaysia experienced a period of rapid modernisation and economic TBD growth, and his government initiated widespread industry privatisation and a series of bold infrastructure projects. Mahathir sought to restore the rule of law by reopening investigations into corruption and implementing financial reform by cutting spending on large infrastructure projects in his second term. 72

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Masih Alinejad

Nobel Peace Prize Nominee

Masih Alinejad is an Iranian-American women’s right activist, journalist, and author who started the ‘My Stealthy Freedom’ campaign, encouraging women to share photos of themselves without hijabs and to wear white on Wednesdays as a personal act of resistance against TBD Iran’s compulsory veiling laws. The campaign gathered pace in December 2017, when Iranian authorities responded violently to protestors removing their headscarves in public. Alinejad’s commitment to human rights has won her UN Watch’s International Women’s Rights Award, the AIB Media Excellence Award, and the Swiss Freethinker Association’s Freethinker Prize, among other honours.

Mystery Guests... To be announced on Facebook

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SOCIALS

Alongside our array of renowned speakers and weekly debate events, the Oxford Union houses lively social events. This term we have activities that range from World Food Festival to our Royal Extravaganza ball. We will also continue to have pub quizzes which are free of charge to members and offer exciting prizes to the

winners! We look forward to hosting you in our historic buildings for what is set to be a really exciting social calendar. For more information or queries, please contact our Secretary, Anvee Bhutani, at secretary@ oxford-union.org.

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TRINITY 2022 | SOCIALS

THE OXFORD UNION

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THE OXFORD UNION

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THE OXFORD UNION

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MEMBERS’ INFORMATION Dear members, The Union offers fantastic facilities at the heart of Oxford, including our affordable Bar and well-loved Snooker Room. From enjoying our Treasurers’ Treats during study breaks, to cramming for Finals beneath the pre-Raphaelite murals in the Old Library, I hope you get the most out of your membership this term. As Development Officer, my job is to strengthen the Union’s alumni relations. If you are graduating this year, don’t forget that you can continue to attend speaker events, debates, and socials. You can sign up to the Alumni Mailing List at oxford-union.org for updates. Many benefits of membership also extend beyond Oxford; in particular, members now have reciprocal membership of the National Liberal Club in London. As the Union approaches its Bicentenary in 2023, I also look forward to welcoming members to a series of special commemorative events. Best wishes,

Amy Gregg Development Officer, Ex-Treasurer Exeter College development@oxford-union.org

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FACILITIES Library Old Library Term Time Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 09:30- 19:00 Sat: 11:00 - 17:00 The Librarian’s Book Club will meet on Tuesdays. Join us to meet fellow bookworms and discuss a variety of texts. To sign up or suggest Book Club authors, please email the Librarian (librarian@oxford-union.org). The Union’s old debating chamber now houses one of the most beautiful libraries in Oxford. Our Library offers a variety of resources, ranging from texts covering all academic disciplines, to non-academic resources such magazines, travel guides, newspapers and DVDs. Owned and run by the members, the Library takes book requests weekly, so it is great for niche interests or the vital text on your reading list which cannot be found anywhere else!

Whether you are planning your emergency debate speech or writing an essay before tomorrow’s deadline, the individual desks and cosy armchairs, below our stunning collection of Pre-Raphelite murals, make the Library a joy to study in.

The Union Buildings also offer several other, more informal study spaces: the Goodman Library, the Gladstone Room (furnished with Gladstone’s original cabinet desk), the Macmillan Room, and the TV Room. These rooms provide a relaxed atmosphere where you can study with friends and catch up in the centre of Oxford. Please note that on Mondays the Goodman Library is used as a meeting room for the Society’s Committees so will not be available as a quiet study space.

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Bar & Snooker Room Term Time Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 10am until Late Our Lunch Menu is Served: Mon-Fri:11.30-14.30

Coffees, cakes, a homemade lunch menu, and drinks are all available at our Members’ Bar. Our weekly debate cocktails and regular social events, including our pub quizzes, make it the perfect place to meet friends. It is a cheap one too, with a 25% members’ discount and some of the lowest prices in Oxford.

Often speakers will join students in the Bar after their address for a drink and an informal chat, giving members a unique opportunity to come together to discuss and network. The Snooker Room houses two full-sized snooker tables which can be booked by members at any time. The room is open all day and is the perfect place to unwind after studying. Please email the House Manager at bar@oxford-union.org with any questions or suggestions.

T R I N I T Y 2 0 2 2 | I N F O R M AT I O N

Treasurer’s Treats Restaurants

Ask Italian Bella Italia Byron Burgers Charlie Chan’s Chicken Shack Chutney’s Dirty Bones Heat African Restaurant Mamma Mia Pizzeria Pizza Pilgrims Sushi Corner Tommi’s Burger Joint Victors

Cafes

Barefoot Bird & Blend Cafe Creme Happy Cakes iScream Gelateria Knoops Moo-Moo’s Moshi Opera Cafe PAUL That Coffee Tree Artisan Café Vaults & Garden Café

Bars and Pubs

Angels Oxford Wine Company Sandy’s Piano Bar The Alchemist

Other

Burrows & Hare Chattabox Repair Centre Gameskeeper Mac Simple

25% Discount (Mon-Thurs) 30% Discount (Mon-Wed, a la carte) 30% Discount (Sun-Thurs) 15% Discount 15% Discount (Sun-Wed) 25% Discount (Food), £5 Signature Cocktails (Sun-Thurs) 20% Discount (Mon-Fri) 15% Discount £10 for Pizza & A Drink (Mon-Fri) 15% Discount (collection) 25% Discount 20% Discount (Food, Sun-Thurs, max 4, reservation) 15% Discount 10% Discount 10% Discount 15% Discount 10% Discount 25% Discount 10% Discount 15% Discount (after 3pm) 5% Discount 20% Discount 35% Discount 20% Discount 10% Discount 10% Discount 10% Discount 25% Discount 10% Discount

10% Discount 10% Discount 15% Discount (excl. selected products) 15% Discount

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YOUR UNION My dear members and friends, TT22 is here at last! Your Committee has worked incredibly hard to produce a termcard in such a way that, for the first time in my life, my neurodivergent brain is celebrated and my invisible disability taken seriously. I hope our termcard will help you live your best life this Trinity and beyond. Your voice remains paramount in the Union. As Senior Access Officer, I conduct the ‘Termly Accessibility Consultation’, and I strongly encourage you to complete the survey should you find a spare five minutes. All members are also welcome to attend Access Committee meetings; these are held every Thursday at 1pm in the accessible Goodman Library. If you have any questions or suggestions please also do not hesitate to contact me via email. Kit Newbold Senior Access Officer St Edmund Hall access.officer@oxford-union.org

For more information about Your Union, please visit linktr.ee/oxford_union or scan here. 90

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Accessibility The Union is dedicated to ensuring our Society is as accessible as possible to all of our members. If you have any queries or questions regarding accessibility, you can contact our Senior Access Officer Kit Newbold at access@oxford-union.org. You can also raise thoughts and suggestions at Access Committee, which takes place at 1pm every Thursday during term-time.

Accessibility Pass Policy and Event Access Any member who has accessibility requirements can reach out to request reasonable adjustments. The revamped Accessibility Pass Policy form is available on the Rules and Policies page of our website, with the PDF detailing the process.

Library, Bar and Toilet Access If you need any adjustments in the Library, do not hesitate to speak to the librarians at the Library reception desk to learn more about the adjustments on offer. These include extended loans, height adjustable desks, and admission of proxy borrowers. In the Bar, the Bar staff can support you in finding a seat or providing a large print copy of the menus. The Union has a disabled toilet on the ground floor which can be opened with a Radar Key issued by most local authorities. A key is also available from the Library and the Bar.

Termly Accessibility Consultation

For any accessibility queries regarding events, you can get in touch with the House Manager at housemanager@oxford-union.org, and the CCC Alex Fish at ccc@oxford-union.org. We can ensure there is a space reserved for a wheelchair, reserve a seat for those with guide dogs, or make any other necessary adjustments to ensure events are accessible.

The Consultation is a survey aimed at all of our members to ascertain how the Union is progressing in terms of its accessibility, as well as identifying steps which need to be taken going forward. The survey usually takes less than 5 minutes to complete, and provides invaluable feedback for Standing and Access Committees.

We have a hearing aid loop and you should switch your hearing aid to ‘T’ to access this.

Please look out for the survey, which is usually circulated in 3rd week.

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How to get Involved Competitive Debating Debating at the Union is not reserved for Thursday nights. The Union’s competitive debating squad is one of the largest and most successful in the world. Last year, an Oxford team won the European Universities Debating Championships, and four of our speakers placed in the top ten. Oxford Debating offers something for every level, from total novices to world champions, and all are encouraged to get involved. We do not just practice debating at Oxford; we also fully fund teams of both novices and experienced debaters to attend competitions nationally and internationally. We host the Oxford IV, one of the largest debating competitions in Europe, the Oxford Women’s and Gender Minorities’ Open, and organise the world’s largest schools’ debating competition, which attracts competitors from across the world. For those new to debating, our Beginners’ Workshops run on Sunday evenings at the Union and are open to all members.

These workshops consist of a presentation designed to target specific debating skills and practice debates judged by some of Oxford’s most experienced and successful debaters. If you have not debated before they are the perfect place to start. For those with more experience, our Intermediate and Advanced Squads run on Wednesday evenings at the Union where our coaches provide a one-on-one development programme. There are also unique opportunities that arise throughout the year, such as being able to deliver floor speeches in the Chamber, join mentorship schemes, and do outreach work such as delivering debate workshops in prisons. If you have any questions or want to sign up for workshops or squads, please contact the Chair of Debate Selection Committee, Tanae Rao, at cdsc@oxford-union.org. To sign up to the mailing list for weekly updates - including information on weekly training and tournaments - send a blank email to debate-announce-subscribe@maillist.ox.ac.uk. You may also want to like the Oxford Debating Facebook Page and join the Oxford Debaters’ Facebook Group.

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Ask questions The Union is committed to giving members the opportunity to engage with and challenge its speakers. At each of our talks, members have the opportunity to ask questions live during the event. We encourage all members to take advantage of this.

Run for Election Each term, elections are held for Committee and Officer positions on Friday of 7th Week. Candidates who are successful in these elections assist in inviting speakers and arranging debates for the following term and undertake a range of other responsibilities. For this term’s election, all voting will be in person. If you want to run in this election, please email the Returning Officer at ro@oxfordunion.org for more details.

Apply to be on Appointed Committee A number of Committee positions are appointed, including Press, Sponsorship and Equalities Officers. All appointees assist in inviting speakers and arranging debates over the vacation, alongside working on their specific projects. Applications for Michaelmas Term’s appointed Committee will open in 5th Week of Trinity Term and will be advertised on the Oxford Union Facebook page, website and mailing list. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis. Please contact the President-Elect, Ahmad Nawaz, at president-elect@oxford-union.org if you have any questions or would like to get involved.

Join a Committee All Committee meetings are open to members to attend and observe. If you are interested in attending or becoming a member of any of these Committees, email the relevant Committee Chair to find out more.

The Members’ Bar, Library and Buildings Our Buildings will be open to members all term and into the vacation. The Members’ Bar will continue to serve high-quality drinks and cocktails at low prices.

President’s Open Hours The President will be hosting weekly open hours where members can come and ask any questions they have. This will run on Fridays from 11am -1pm, with tea and coffee provided. For more information please visit linktr.ee/oxford_union or scan below

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Committees The affairs of the Society are managed by a number of Committees. You can join these meetings by emailing the respective Committee Chairs or checking the Noticeboard.

STANDING COMMITTEE

LIBRARY COMMITTEE

Goodman Library 16.00 every Monday

Goodman Library 14.15 every Monday

Chair - Michael-Akolade Ayedeji, President president@oxford-union.org

Chair - Charlie Mackintosh, Librarian librarian@oxford-union.org

The Society’s governing body, the Standing Committee makes the Society’s most important decisions, and recommends rules changes to the House.

The Library Committee is responsible for the management of the Society’s Library and for keeping the Library’s collections up to date.

ACCESS COMMITTEE Goodman Library 13.15 every Thursday Chair - Kit Newbold, Senior Access Officer access@oxford-union.org The Access Committee is responsible for promoting the inclusion of underrepresented groups by planning events and suggesting changes.

FINANCE COMMITTEE Goodman Library 15.00 every Monday Chair - Naman Gupta, Treasurer treasurer@oxford-union.org The Finance Committee scrutinises the Union’s finances and reports its findings to the Standing Committee.

CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE Goodman Library 13.15 every Monday Chair - Alex Fish, CCC ccc@oxford-union.org The Consultative Committee gives you the opportunity to ask questions to the officials of the Union and to stay up to date on the running of the Society’s events.

DEBATE SELECTION COMMITTEE Morris Room 12.00 every Monday Chair - Tanae Roa, CDSC cdsc@oxford-union.org The Debate Selection Committee manages the Union’s competitive debating wing, arranging training and competitions.

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The Oxford Union Committee

President Librarian Michael-Akolade Ayodeji Charlie Mackintosh University New College

Chief of Staff Chloe Glynn St Anne’s

Director of Press Alex Foster St John’s

Treasurer Naman Gupta Merton

Development Officer Amy Gregg Exeter

Secretary Anvee Bhutani Magdalen

CCC Alex Fish Hertford

Director of Senior Access Officer Communications Kit Newbold Sandhya Das Thuraisingham St Edmund Hall The Queen’s

Standing Committee

President-Elect Ahmad Nawaz LMH

Librarian-Elect Daniel Dipper Magdalen

Treasurer-Elect Joshua Chima Mansfield

Returning Officer Aurora Guerrini Worcester

CDSC Tanae Rao St Anne’s

Disha Hegde St John’s

Matthew Dick Magdalen

Spencer Shia Exeter

Israr Khan Regent’s Park

Alex Garcia Balliol

Staff

Bursar Librarian-in-Charge House Manager Events Manager Accounts Manager Office Manager

Mark Herbert Thomas Corrick Paul Greatrex Joanne Morgan Rob Philips Francesca Coleman

Trustees

Dr Tim Myatt, Senior Librarian Dr Sarah Beaver, Senior Treasurer (The.) Hon. Peter Jay Dr Jeya Wilson

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Junior Committee

Ruqayya Diwan The Queens

Hannah Edwards Lincoln

Tom Elliot New College

Maiya James LMH

Joe Murray Pembroke

Kwabena Osei Corpus Christi

Adya Manoj Brasenose

Sami Adnan Tim Green Carys Hoggan Nadia-Angela Bekhti Rueben Junior Access Officer Disability Ethnic Minority

Fallon O’Neill International

Hamza Javed Charlie-Jade Rossi Jeremy Stround Permanent and Socioeconomic Graduate Temp’ Membership

Abigail Bacon Brasenose

Emily Macleod LMH

Edie Guo St Hugh’s

Augustine Chan Rosalie Chapman LMH Hertford

Anmol Kejriwal Josie Magnotti Wadham LMH

Vedika Rastogi Christ Church

Ayushi Agarwarl St. Benet’s

Rosie Jacobs St Anne’s

Serene Singh Women’s

Dani Yates Worcester

Bronwen Price Liberty Osborne LGBTQIA+ Communities Officer

Liam Yuen Balliol

Joshua Platt St Hilda’s

Laura Smith St Anne’s

Lukas Seifert Christ Church

Seung Chan Lee Denise Chapim Mansfield LMH

Senior Support Team Director of Operations Jana Everett Wadham

Director of Strategy Kyoka Hadano University

Right Hand Man First Lady First Gentleman Graphic Design Slay Queen & La Reine Front Cover Design

Elected

Chief Custodian Lucas Hooper Christ Church

Special Events Co-ordinator Sharon Chau University

Digital Marketing Senior Welfare Junior Welfare Strategist Officer Officer Immanuel Smith Lachlann Hinley Maddy Colbourn New College St John’s Keble

Django Pinter Darcy Dixon Adam Roble Maria Lambert, graphicsbymaria.co.uk & M-A A Jenny Grehan-Bradley & Emma Zinkin April Dublin-Beeton, instagram: @aprildbart

Senior Appointed

Temporary Appointed

Access Officers

Presidential Support Team D&D

The Original Musketeers Univ PPE MT18’

Elected by own committee

Press, Sponsorship and Guest Liaison Officers

N/A 97

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President’s Thanks

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced” - JB Upon first impression, it was easy to perceive the Union as an institution that encapsulated the parts of The Oxford Experience which had initially made me feel out of place. My time working alongside the dedicated staff and trustees - who’ve shown through their actions it is possible to drive inclusion into the very heart of what we do without compromising who we are - has truly been awe-inspiring. Thank you VS, SB, TM, MH, and TC: this place wouldn’t still be standing without your guidance. I’m also grateful for the paths laid out by the committees I’ve served on since MT20 you all played important roles in moving the needle forward. This termcard would not have come to life without the discipline and devotion of the most wonderful committee I’ve had the privilege to work alongside. Junior Team, your wholesomeness and enthusiasm bring me so much optimism; thank you for being a reminder to me that the Union’s future is in safe hands. Senior Team, I cannot thank you enough for your dedication, generosity and effort. AF, you weird-ass-liberal! Thank you for being my left brain, providing balance and being that friendly voice of perspective in my moments of doubt. CG, You struggled to commit to bright coloured stash, yet you’ve been the most committed and radiant CoS! I cannot thank you both enough for being true MVPs - supportive right hands who always went above and beyond. To my officers CM, NG, and AB I reckon the “I never experred it” meme says it all. Working so closely with you has been not just an honour but a pleasure. Thank you for putting in a shift the past couple of late nights. I look forward to the growth of our friendships as we continue to instil cultural changes in the institution together. To RO World, your unparalleled understanding of the rules and procedures of our society has been vital, and I, like the society, do not know what I would do without you. DD, ES, LH, and AG thank you for risking your degrees in putting up with my endless questions. I think myself unworthy of all who #InspireME! DP, TS, and LS showed me the value of always staying #True. I cannot thank enough all others who stood for what’s right and stepped up without request when the chips were down; JP, LS, MF, DD2 , JC, AB2 , CK, CD, JE, AN, JGB, EZ and many more - you’re OGs. Culprits responsible for making a hack out of me: #Create and #Bridge, my deep gratitude for rendering your faith in me and pushing me out of my comfort zone. MM, I aspire to match half of your level of sagacity and discernment. MNO, your sense of self and resilience strengthens my resolve. AR, you’re a real one; from honest advice to the lunches lacked during the vac, thanks for giving it as it is when matters the most. I simply couldn’t have done this without all of you. To ones outside Union who have kept me sane and grounded. Organisers at events I was fortunate to photograph, helping capture those lasting memories for you all is something that I will always treasure. Friends from Brum, Cov and UNIV - you’ve shaped so much of who I am today. The Lancers, thanks for the camaraderie. SF, JB, OS, AB, AU, and SS helped enrich my thinking. Armed with the contextual understanding, you ingrained the sense of self-assurance that has expanded my intellectual boundaries- I’ll be forever grateful for your academic and pastoral impact. To my family, you are why I AM and why I keep going. Thank you for being understanding of my recent absence. I am missing you all more than words can tell. Debz, I cannot wait for you to smash your exams; you’ll make an amazing social worker. Dan, I’m so grateful to know I can always rely on you, and I’m mega inspired seeing you do bits chasing your musical dreams! NG, MS, JP and DG, I simply wouldn’t be without your patience, persistence and unconditional love. Thank you for always all going the extra mile during my time in care. Brook House & Through Care Coventry - this is for you! It has not been easy to write this, as I know that so many people deserve more than the six letters that make up the word ‘thanks’. I’ll never be able to express in words my gratitude for everything you have all done for me, but I hope you’ll excuse my attempt here. You all have my heart, and so much more than words can ever even aim to express. My time here has been humbling, my gratitudes are bottomless, whilst my optimism for the future of this society remains without a ceiling. 98

Gbogbo yin, e se gan.

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Events Subject to Change Without Notice

TERM PLANNER Sunday

Monday Pub Quiz 21:30

1st

APR 24 May Day Gala

2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th

Tuesday Jung Chang 17:00

APR 25

Spillin

APR 26

Sir Ben Ainslie 17:00

Lady R

Anthony Joshua 20:00

MAY 1

MAY 8

MAY 2 Alex Hibbert 17:00

Jack Savoretti 17:00

Mark Lambett 20:00

Bill Browder 20:00

Pub Quiz 21:30

MAY 9

Yoga Class Sir Paul Smith 12:00

MAY 15

MAY 3

Pedro Kuczynski 17:00 Noam Chomsky 20:00

MAY 10 Clarissa Ward 20:00

MAY 23 Dr Ali Abdaal 17:00

Fengs Alexa

MAY 17 Peter Singer AC 17:00 Lord Alan Sugar 20:00

MAY 22

Interf

Robbi

MAY 24 Levi Roots 17:00

Natali

Vivek Agnihotri 20:00

MAY 29

MAY 30 Hon.Albin Kurti 15:00

MAY 31 Jon Sopel 17:00

Bear Grylls OBE 17:00

JUNE 5

JUNE 12

Cass Sunstein 20:00

JUNE 6

JUNE 13

JUNE 7 Lady Glenconner 20:00

Justic

Whisky Tasting 20:00

Water

JUNE 14

Debates

Wednesday

ng the Tea 18:00

Thursday Cath Kidston MBE 17:00

Speakers

Socials

Friday President’s HTGI 18:30

Other

Saturday EDAI Open Forum 12:00

Pop Culture 20:30

APR 27

Rose DBC PC 20:00

APR 28 Oxbridge (Varsity) 20:30

MAY 4

faith Panel 17:00

APR 29 Roman Kemp 17:00

MAY 5 Repatriation 20:30

APR 30 Garden Party

MAY 6 Director Easterly 17:00

MAY 7 Members’ Debate 20:00

Whisky Tasting 20:00

MAY 11

suo Zhou 17:00 andre Arnault 20:00

MAY 12 Dr Shawki Allam 17:00

MAY 19 Monarchy 20:30

MAY 25

ie Dormer 17:00

Food Festival 17:00

MAY 14 Fashion Show 18:00

Borders 20:30

MAY 18

ie Lyle 17:00

MAY 13

MAY 26 Sec. Chuck Hagel 17:00

MAY 20 Royal Ball 20:00

CL Viewing Party 19:30

MAY 27 Denzel Curry 20:00

Raj 20:30

JUNE 1

MAY 21

MAY 28 Art Festival Charity Concert

JUNE 2

JUNE 3 Society Elections

NATO 20:30

JUNE 4 Literary Fair Drag Show 18:00 Anil Agarwal 20:00

JUNE 8

ice Isa 17:00

JUNE 9

JUNE 10

JUNE 11

JUNE 17

JUNE 18

Metaverse 20:30

ergate Panel 20:00

JUNE 15

JUNE 16

THE OXFORD UNION

We are far from finished works of art; we’re canvasses still being painted. We’re the accidental brush strokes, the hand smudge and quiff lines. We’re not perfectly imperfect. We’re imperfect ... and that’s okay. Negus SXMBA

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#iME