Oxford Union Michaelmas Term 2021 by The Oxford Union

MICHAE L MAS TE RM 2021

MICHAELMAS 2021

Chengkai Xie 谢成锴

President If you had told my fifteen-year-old self that, one day, I would have the opportunity to ask the questions that matter the most to me as President of the Oxford Union, I would never have believed you. I was never the obvious choice for the role, and that is why I am privileged to be able to unpick the social mobility that benefitted me, in twenty-first century Britain, during the Meritocracy Debate. Even more significantly, as the first Chinese-born President of the Union, my ‘China: Friend or Foe’ head-to-head offers the chance to explore my home country’s ever-changing global role, and the ‘Chinese History in Six Wines’ social gives all of us the chance to enjoy the culture of a country so dear to me. This term, my committee and I have prepared a celebration of everything that makes the Union great. We platform groundbreakers. From the sex-positive activist Carol Queen; to Azra Jafari, the first female Mayor of Afghanistan; to Julie K Brown, who broke the Epstein allegations, we seek to challenge and question the establishment, not least in our customary No Confidence Debate. Equally, the Union should also be a social hub for its members. We plan to delight music fans with Julian Casablancas, frontman of The Strokes, and our social events range from celebrating Oxmas, to the return of Miss Take’s drag show. In particular, our Moulin Rouge ball should provide members, new and old, with an unforgettable night. There is a renewed appreciation around Oxford for the things that we have not been able to enjoy for so long. Come to the Bar and the Library, use the Snooker Room, or watch some of the incredible

speakers and debates we have lined up this term. Shaping the conversation has never been more important and the Oxford Union continues to lead and listen. Yalda Hakim, who so calmly and professionally challenged the Taliban live on air days after the overthrow of Kabul, is one of those who we are honoured to host this term, as is prodemocracy Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya. We hope that members will enjoy the opportunity to listen and lead when they have a chance to ask their own questions. In a time of change, often you may not see the improvements that go on behind the scenes here. We have reimagined our conventional debate format to broaden the conversation to include our global membership. We have finally kickstarted the net zero journey to transform the Union as we know it, in a term when the COP26 summit comes to the UK. Most importantly, I am proud to see digital membership come to fruition, allowing members to access our event information and gate on their mobile phone screens, a tap away. Even with everything new, some things are timeless. Being able to walk into the buildings and see its history surrounded once more by the present—by people starting out their degrees, those nearly finishing them, and those who finished many years ago—has been a joy. We are surrounded by history and next time you are in the Union, stop and take a closer look around. From the speakers that line our walls, to the murals on the ceiling of our Library; from Gladstone’s desk, to Churchill’s despatch boxes in the Chamber. It is my pleasure and honour to not only usher the Union into a new year at Oxford, not just to introduce it to a new cohort of students, but to fully reopen its doors to you, the members.

Chengkai Xie / 谢成锴 President, Michaelmas Term 2021 Brasenose College

Michael-Akolade Ayodeji Librarian

To friends; fresh and familiar faces - Ẹ káàbọ̀! This term, I am most proud and excited to introduce meetings to discuss readings, ideas and literature with members as part of my Librarian’s Book Club initiative. Meeting every week on a Tuesday at 2:15 pm, sign up to join us, as we take bold steps in engaging with the works of Gavan Titley, Amia Srinivasan, Nick Thomas, and many more! A wise man once said, ‘the only thing you absolutely have to know is the location of the Library’. I reckon with just a quick wander through ours, after you’ve been greeted by our warm and welcoming Library staff and witnessed our awe-inspiring collection that is complemented by the most beautiful Victorian architecture… you might just be forgiven for thinking that in that quote, Albert Einstein was indeed referring to the Oxford Union Library after he visited in 1933. With thanks to each member of the committee, sponsors and our esteemed speakers, the Oxford Union Chamber will come alive again this Michaelmas. We have some big surprises lined up, so don’t forget to follow our social media and emails for updates and announcements. Our members are the secret ingredient that keeps the Union well-run. On the Library Committee, we rely on your feedback and contributions to maintain and improve our bespoke literary resources, study spaces, and facilities. I hope you’ll consider joining us every Monday at 2:15pm to help shape the conversation. Whether it be making an enquiry or wanting a good ol’ chinwag, please feel welcome to drop me a line! Michael-Akolade Ayodeji University College librarian@oxford-union.org

Arjun Bhardwaj Treasurer

To new students and returning members, welcome to Michaelmas Term 2021 at the Oxford Union! Nothing captures the essence of the Oxford Union more than rigorous debate and challenging the views of others. Over the next few months, highly influential speakers will be standing before you, in our historic Chamber, discussing the most pressing issues of our time. I would encourage you all to make the most of the Floor Speech part of each debate to shape the conversation and to share a stage with eminent public figures. If you need any more of an incentive, we have secured a host of fantastic prizes for the best Floor Speeches - ranging from an overnight stay at The Randolph to Moulin Rouge ball tickets. In addition to this, the Treasurer’s Office has been working hard this summer to ensure that you get the most out of your membership. At the back of the termcard you will find a list of ‘Treasurer’s Treats’, which are exclusive discounts for Union members at restaurants, bars and shops. After a turbulent year, it is great to be partnering with and supporting local businesses. Finance Committee meetings will be taking place every Monday and I would strongly encourage members to attend, as it is important to hold your Society to account. It has been a privilege to serve the Society for the past few years. tot homines quot sententiae Arjun Bhardwaj Corpus Christi College treasurer@oxford-union.org

MICHAELMAS 2021

Ananya Chowdhury Secretary

A warm welcome to new members and old, I hope you enjoyed a well-deserved summer vacation! Whether you think of the Oxford Union as the definitive social hub of Oxford, or like apple juice - something you drink to remind yourself why you do not usually in the first place - my role is to present a social calendar with something for everyone. From much loved favourites, to new highlights such as the Wine and Cheese Night and an Oxmas Soirée, we are also thrilled to be collaborating with several societies such as the Oxford German Society to bring you Oxtoberfest. As well as this, we are excited to work with charities such as Oxford Raise, to use our platform for good. As such, we encourage you to attend and donate generously! Most notably, I am delighted to present the first Oxford Union Ball in over a year - bigger and better than ever. Expect new thrills and old; bubbles and oysters on arrival, art deco like you have never seen before, and dancing away to Dick and Dom DJing your favourite tunes. But this is merely a highlights reel: you will just have to purchase tickets in third week to find out more…

DEBATES 4 SPECIAL EVENTS

SPEAKERS 36 SOCIALS 74 INFO 88

I hope to ensure the Oxford Union is a place where members may - put simply - have a good time. Should you find anyone taking themselves too seriously, feel free to contact me, feedback is always welcomed. Ananya Chowdhury Pembroke College secretary@oxford-union.org

DEBATES The Oxford Union was established to protect and uphold the principle of free speech, and debating remains at the heart of the Society today. Debates are held on Thursday evenings during term, with the following timings: 19:45 – Emergency Debate. Featuring only student speakers, our Emergency Debates seek to address topical issues, with motions being set weekly. Check our Facebook page and Noticeboard for the motion of the week. 20:30 – Main Debat. With high-profile speakers from around the world, our Main Debates address pressing questions on a variety of topics. Details can be found on the pages that follow. 6

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 before the final speaker on each side. There are exciting prizes for the best floor speakers in the Emergency and Main Debates each week. 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.

1. This House Has No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government

2. This House Would Give Up Liberty for Safety

6 8

3. This House Would Still Look to the US for Global Leadership

4. This House Believes the Courtroom Should Not Be a Forum for Advancing Social Justice

5. This House Believes We Cannot Survive the Age of Big Tech

6. This House Believes There is No Merit to Meritocracy

7. This House Would Move Beyond Meat

8. This House Has Had Enough of PPE

THI S HOU SE HAS

No Confidence in Her Majesty’s Government Thursday 14th October | 20:30

DEBATES WEEK 1

PROPOSITION Rt. Hon. Nick Thomas-Symonds MP

Labour MP for Torfaen, who has served as the Shadow Home Secretary since 2020. He has been a staunch critic of the Government’s handling of structural inequality, security, and the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Layla Moran MP

Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, and Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and International Development. She was a candidate for the Party Leadership in 2020.

TBC

Boris Johnson’s Conservative Government hit the ground running with a promise to ‘level-up’, following a landslide election which turned the Red Wall blue. In the two years since, the country has been faced with lockdowns, Brexit shockwaves, and the mass evacuation of British Citizens and allies, as Afghanistan fell after two decades of conflict. With the relaxation of lockdown restrictions, the U-turn on National Insurance, and new trading and defence partnerships causing fractures across the international community, we ask in our traditional opening debate of the year: should we have confidence in Her Majesty’s Government?

OPPOSITION Rt. Hon. Sir Geoffrey Cox QC MP

Conservative MP for Torridge and West Devon, who served as Attorney General until 2020. Under May, he was tasked with negotiating the Northern Ireland Backstop, and later advised Johnson on the prorogation of Parliament in 2019.

Rt. Hon. Robert Buckland QC MP

Conservative MP for South Swindon, who was Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor until the September 2021 reshuffle. Prior to this role, he served as Minister for Prisons and Solicitor General.

Rt. Hon. Jacob Rees-Mogg MP

Conservative MP for North East Somerset, Leader of the House of Commons, and Lord President of the Council. He is well-known for his traditionalist attitudes and old-fashioned style in the Commons.

THI S HOU SE W OU L D

Give Up Liberty for Safety Thursday 21st October | 20:30

DEBATES WEEK 2

PROPOSITION Adam Wagner

Human rights barrister at Doughty Street Chambers and former Special Advisor to the Joint Committee on Human Rights COVID-19 inquiry. He hosts the Better Human podcast and is a Visiting Professor of Law at Goldsmiths University, London.

Professor Allyson Pollock

Academic and consultant in public health medicine. She is a former Director of the Institute of Health and Society at Newcastle University and former Head of the Public Health Policy Unit at University College, London.

Sir David Nicholson KCB CBE

Former Chief Executive of the NHS. He is currently the NHS Chair in Sandwell & West Birmingham, as well as a public policy analyst.

As Benjamin Franklin said, ‘those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety’. This balance has never been more pressing, after more than eighteen months of moving in and out of lockdowns and waiting for the next to come. Some argue that restrictions are necessary in order to protect society, while others feel that they force us to make unacceptable lifestyle changes. Though we are returning to a world that resembles pre-pandemic life, we cannot ignore the imprint left by the past year. Would we be willing to make similar sacrifices again?

OPPOSITION Rt. Hon. Lord Sumption OBE QC

Former UK Supreme Court judge and barrister who has been publically critical of the UK Government’s lockdown strategy. He is also a medieval historian and author of Law in a Time of Crisis.

Professor Karol Sikora

Oncologist of 50 years and founder of Rutherford Health, which specialises in proton therapy services. He is a former Director of the WHO Cancer Programme.

Luke Johnson

Entrepreneur and current Chairman of Risk Capital Partners and The Bread Factory. He is the former Chairman of Pizza Express, the Royal Society for Arts, and Channel 4.

THI S HOU SE W OU L D STILL

Look to the US for Global Leadership Thursday 28th October | 20:30

DEBATES WEEK 3

PROPOSITION Rt. Hon. Sir Malcolm Rifkind KCMG QC

Former Secretary of State for Scotland, Defence Secretary, and Foreign Secretary under Thatcher and Major. He served as Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee, providing oversight of MI5, MI6, and GCHQ.

Brigadier General Robert Spalding (Retd.)

Former United States Air Force Brigadier. He now serves as a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, focusing on US-China relations and national security. He is the author of Stealth War: How China Took Over While America’s Elite Slept.

Congresswoman Jane Harman

Former Democratic Congresswoman for California’s 36th congressional district and President of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. She was the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee and Homeland Security Committee’s intelligence subcommittee.

Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States has held a pre-eminent position in the Global Order. It has dominated the world stage diplomatically, economically, and militarily, leading the actions of NATO and the West in affairs ranging from Iraq to the financial crisis. However, as diplomatic power shifts from West to East, politicians on every continent are starting to question their nation’s position in relation to the United States, a process only accelerated by President Trump’s ‘America First’ foreign policy. Has time run out for American global leadership?

OPPOSITION His Excellency Ambassador Andrey Kelin

Russian Ambassador to the UK. He has been in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1979, serving as the Deputy Permanent Representative to NATO and the Permanent Representative to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Professor Amitav Acharya

Distinguished Professor of International Relations at American University, Washington DC, and author of The End of the American World Order. He has made major contributions to constructivism and Asian regionalism.

TBC

THI S HOU SE B E L I E VE S TH E

Courtroom Should Not be a Forum for Advancing Social Justice Thursday 4th November | 20:30

DEBATES WEEK 4

PROPOSITION Nazir Afzal OBE

British-Pakistani solicitor and former Chief Crown Prosecutor for North West England. He famously prosecuted the Rochdale sex trafficking cases and is an outspoken advocate against forced marriage, female genital mutilation, and honour killings.

Rt. Hon. Lord Hoffmann

Former UK Supreme Court judge and current non-permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong. He has criticised the European Court of Human Rights for increasing activism and judicial overreach.

Jeffrey Dudgeon MBE

Former Ulster Unionist Party councillor, who successfully brought the landmark case of Dudgeon v United Kingdom to the European Court of Human Rights, challenging Northern Ireland’s laws criminalising homosexuality.

Activists are increasingly turning to the law in their efforts to bring about change. Legal rulings on abortion, the right to assisted suicide, environmental protections, immigration, and LGBTQIA+ rights provision show that the advancement of civil liberties is often behind the bench instead of at the ballot box. Whilst some celebrate this approach, others question whether judges, so often criticised for their unaccountability and lack of diversity, are best placed to legislate on social justice issues. Should we keep activism out of the courtroom and instead place our faith in the political process?

OPPOSITION

Jolyon Maugham QC

Barrister and Founder and Director of the Good Law Project, whose mission is ‘to achieve change through the law’. He has brought multiple legal cases challenging Brexit and the Government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Helen Mountfield QC

Principal of Mansfield College and practicing barrister, specialising in human rights and equality law. She represented the winning parties before the Supreme Court in R (Miller) v Secretary of State, and has co-authored seven editions of Blackstone’s Guide to the Human Rights Act 1998.

Yasmine Ahmed

UK Director of Human Rights Watch and former Executive Director of Rights and Security International. She has successfully litigated on issues including arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the detention of women and children in Northeast Syria.

THI S HOU SE B E L I E VES

We Cannot Survive the Age of Big Tech Thursday 11th November | 20:30

DEBATES WEEK 5

PROPOSITION Professor William Kovacic

Lawyer, Non-Executive Director of the Competition and Markets Authority Board, and former Chair of the Federal Trade Commission. He is currently a Professor at George Washington University Law School and writes on the legal regulation of tech firms.

Professor Steve Fuller

Professor of Sociology at the University of Warwick, with a focus on science, technology, and transhumanism. He is the author of Humanity 2.0 and Post Truth: Knowledge as a Power Game.

Damian Collins MP

Conservative MP and current Chair of the UK Parliament Joint Committee on the Draft Online Safety Bill. He launched a high-profile inquiry into disinformation and fake news in the wake of the 2016 US election and has campaigned for greater digital regulation.

Big Tech has opened up the world by making it smaller than ever before, but at what cost? It knows our most intimate secrets, shapes our next move, and offers us the instant validation we crave. Absorbing competitors at their inception, the world’s largest technology companies have acquired unprecedented market power, but the debate about breaking up Big Tech appears to be going around in circles. Has the pandemic proven Big Tech’s indispensability, and is there still time to heal our relationship with Big Tech?

OPPOSITION Tom Fletcher CMG

Principal of Hertford College and former Britsh Ambassador to Lebanon. He spearheaded the launch of the UK Lebanon Tech Hub and is a member of the Global Tech Panel.

Professor Sue Black OBE

Social entrepreneur, Professor of Computer Science, and Technology Evangelist at Durham University. She is the Founding Chair of the British Computer Society Specialist Group BCSWomen.

Reshma Saujani

Lawyer, politician and founder of the charity Girls Who Code, which aims to increase the number of women in computer science. She was the first Indian American woman to run for US Congress and is a bestselling author.

THI S HOU SE B E L I E VES

There is No Merit to Meritocracy Thursday 18th November | 20:30

DEBATES WEEK 6

PROPOSITION Professor Daniel Markovits

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’.

Adam Boulton

Current Editor-at-large of Sky News and presenter of All Out Politics and Week In Review. He has written for publications including The Times, The Guardian, The Spectator, The New Statesman and The Independent.

Sarah Atkinson

CEO of the Social Mobility Foundation, which offers support networks and opportunities to students from lower-income backgrounds.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again…The idea of meritocracy has dominated political discourse since the term was coined by Michael Young in 1958. More than 60 years on, accusations of cronyism and inequality still hound The Establishment. In a society where wealth, education, and connections are crucial, the merit of meritocracy is drawn into question. Is meritocracy a failed relic of the past or a guiding light for the future?

OPPOSITION Adrian Wooldridge

Current Political Editor and columnist for The Economist. Earlier this year he published The Aristocracy of Talent: How Meritocracy Made the Modern World.

Helen Goulden

CEO of The Young Foundation, which aims to develop better connected communities across the UK in a bid to tackle strutural inequality. The Foundation has incubated over 80 organisations including the Open University.

Bim Afolami MP

Conservative MP for Hitchin and Harpenden. He is the patron of numerous charities, including Harpenden Spotlight on Africa, Growing Resilience in Teens, and Tilehouse Counselling.

THI S HOU SE W OU L D

Move Beyond Meat Thursday 25th November | 20:30

DEBATES WEEK 7

PROPOSITION Heather Mills

Former model, businesswoman, media personality, and activist. She launched VBites, a vegan food company, and plans to create a ‘vegan Silicon Valley’ in the North of England.

Professor Jeff McMahan

White’s Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Oxford and author of The Meat Eaters. He has been a vegetarian for more than 50 years and continues to query the ethics of killing animals.

Carol Adams

Writer, vegan feminist, and animal rights advocate. She is known for having written The Sexual Politics of Meat: A Feminist-Vegetarian Critical Theory, and was inducted into the Animal Rights Hall of Fame in 2011.

In the wake of damning new evidence, the contribution of meat consumption to carbon emissions is at the forefront of global conversations. In this debate, fears of environmental damage and ethical concerns for animal rights clash with millions within the meat industry facing unemployment, religious and cultural traditions being condemned, and those with medical requirements risking disapproval for putting their health first. In light of these competing concerns, we must confront one of the most urgent issues of our time: should society finally move beyond meat?

OPPOSITION Mikhaila Peterson

Canadian podcaster who runs the blog Don’t Eat That. She eats a meat-only ‘Lion Diet’ and claims this has helped her overcome autoimmune and mood disorders.

Peter Stevenson OBE

Chief Policy Advisor to Compasssion in World Farming and recipient of the RSPCA Lord Erskine Award. He was lead author of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation review of animal welfare legislation.

Louise Gray

Author of Ethical Carnivore, in which she describes how she spent one year eating only meat she had killed herself. For five years, she was an Environment Correspondent at The Daily Telegraph.

Photographer: Michael-Akolade Ayodeji

THI S HOU SE HAS

Had Enough of PPE Thursday 2nd December | 20:30

DEBATES WEEK 8

P R E S I D E N T ’ S FA R E W E L L D E B AT E Said to be ‘the Oxford degree that runs Britain’, Philosophy, Politics and Economics has dominated politics, law, journalism, and business around the globe like no other degree. From the fifteen members of Cameron’s Government, to international figures like Australian PM Tony Abbott, Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, and Burmese politician Aung San Suu Kyi, does PPE train the leaders of tomorrow or represent an elitist club? On the belated 100th anniversary of this degree, we evaluate the many criticisms of PPE, and ask whether it remains relevant in the 21st Century.

James Ball

Journalist, author, and former Oxford PPEist. He has written for The Guardian, BuzzFeed, and The Washington Post, and won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service with the Guardian US for reporting on NSA surveillance.

Andrew Graham

Political economist, former Master of Balliol College, and former Oxford PPEist. He was Economic Advisor to the Harold Wilson cabinet, and is currently Executive Chair of the Europaeum and a Senior Fellow of the Oxford Internet Institute.

Dr Rupa Huq MP

Labour MP for Ealing Central and Acton, elected 2015. She studied Social and Political Sciences with Law at Cambridge, and was formerly a senior sociology lecturer at Kingston University. She is a part-time DJ.

More Speakers To Be Announced

Floor Prizes WEEK

DEBATE

FIRST PRIZE

No Confidence

Union Moulin Rouge Ball - Two tickets

Liberty

Randolph - Overnight Stay + Dinner

US Global Leadership

The Perch - Three course meal for two with a bottle of wine

Social Justice

Burrows & Hare - £100 Voucher

Big Tech

Victors - £100 meal for two

Meritocracy

Mamma Mia - Three course meal for two with a bottle of wine

Beyond Meat

Burrows & Hare - £100 Voucher

PPE

Mamma Mia - Three course meal for two with a bottle of wine

SECOND PRIZE

EMERGENCY PRIZE Brewdog - 24 pack of beer

Happy Cakes - Cupcakes Giftbox (12 Cupcakes)

Pho - £30 voucher

Bella Italia - £30 Voucher

Plants and Grills - £30 Voucher

Happy Cakes - Cupcakes Giftbox (12 Cupcakes)

The Oxford Artisan Distillery - A bottle of gin

Bella Italia - £30 Voucher

Pho - £30 voucher

Plants and Grills - £30 Voucher

Brewdog - 24 pack of beer

Pho - £30 voucher

The Oxford Artisan Distillery - A bottle of gin Pho - £30 voucher

No Emergency Debate due to Officer Hustings Happy Cakes - Cupcakes Giftbox (12 Cupcakes)

SPECIAL EVENTS The Oxford Union, since its inception close to two hundred years ago, has served as a forum for the discussions that matter. While Parliamentary-style debate can capture the imagination, it can at times overshadow topics where more intimate discussion is helpful. To that end, we have organised a range of special events in addition to our usual schedule of speakers and debates, including panels and direct head-to-heads. This term, we are proud to host conversations on a wide variety of topics, from modern day issues including the role of China and grassroots activism in sport, to the ageold question of the existence of God. Our special events are some of those most worth your time and attention this term. Challenge your preconceptions and open your mind to new experiences, perspectives and ideas.

Net Zero Panel, 20th Oct

Holocaust Panel, 25th Oct

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Law Panel, 27th Oct 27 Compassion Panel, 29th Oct 28 God Head to Head, 9th Nov 29 Sport Panel, 9th Nov 30

China Head to Head, 10th Nov 31

Prime Minister Panel, 15th Nov 32 Human Security Panel, 30th Nov

SPECIAL EVENTS WEEK 2

W E D N E S DAY 2 0 T H O C T, 1 7 : 0 0

Countdown to Net Zero In partnership with Tortoise Media All eyes turn towards Glasgow for the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference, against a backdrop of the most severe weather in generations and the landmark IPCC report this year. Join us for a ‘ThinkIn’ in partnership with Tortoise Media where we will ask: what are the practical steps needed from politicians, business leaders and consumers, right now, to make sure COP26 discussions actually make an impact? Can this be done with an orderly sequence of laws and multi trillion-dollar investments, as President Biden suggests? If so, what comes first – new tech, new incentives, a global carbon price? Alternatively, do we need to start with a revolution in the streets and in the way we live through radical activism and divestments? Speakers to be announced.

Giles Whittell (Moderator) Giles Whittell is Sensemaker Editor at Tortoise Media and a former Times correspondent in LA, Washington, and Moscow. He is the author of Bridge of Spies, Spitfire Women of World War 2, and Snow: The Biography.

TSHPEE COI XA FL OERVDE NUTNSI OWNE E K 3

M O N DAY 2 5 T H O C T, 1 7 : 0 0

Building Bridges Two Unlikely Friends Share Their Holocaust Stories As the daughter of two Holocaust survivors and the grandson of an SS officer, Dr Noemie Lopian and Mr Derek Niemann form an unlikely alliance. They aim to speak across the divide by sharing their stories as a warning against the perils of extremism, and how ordinary people can descend into the service of an evil regime. This discussion will explore what it means to grow up in the shadow of the Holocaust, why and how the Holocaust remains relevant today, and why the Holocaust must never be forgotten.

Dr Noemie Lopian Noemi Lopian is a holocaust educator and campaigner. The daughter of holocaust survivors Dr Ernst and Renee Bornstein, Lopian has published her father’s memoirs in The Long Night. She has dedicated much of her life to commemorating the Holocaust in memory of her parents.

Derek Niemann Derek Niemann is a writer and editor who specialises in natural history. Upon discovering that his grandfather had been an SS officer he researched the connection and authored the short story A Nazi in the Family.

SPECIAL EVENTS WEEK 3

W E D N E S DAY 2 7 T H O C T, 1 7 : 0 0

Enemies of the People? The Role of Law in Politics R (Miller) v Secretary of State - the ‘Brexit case’ - was seen by many as a watershed moment. Critics have argued that the judiciary increasingly ventures into the political realm. Others, however, maintain it continues to operate within appropriate limits. This panel explores the relationship between the judiciary, the executive, and parliament under our modern constitution.

Rt. Hon. Lord Carnwath Lord Carnwath is a former UK Supreme Court judge. He dissented in the Supreme Court case of R (Miller) v Secretary of State, arguing the courts should not question the adequacy of Parliamentary controls over the Executive.

Rt. Hon. Lord Faulks QC Lord Faulks is a life peer, practicing barrister at 1 Chancery Lane, and former Minister of State for Justice. He recently led the Independent Review of Administrative Law, which culminated in the 2021 Faulks Report.

Sir Jeffrey Jowell KCMG QC Sir Jeffrey Jowell is a practicing barrister at Blackstone Chambers and the inaugural Director of the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law. He was formerly the UK’s member of the Council of Europe’s Commission for Democracy Through Law.

Jessica Simor QC Jessica Simor QC is a practicing barrister at Matrix Chambers, and specialises in public law. She represented the claimant in the Supreme Court case of R (Miller) v Secretary of State.

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F R I DAY 2 9 T H O C T, 1 9 : 0 0

Compassion The Superpower that Could Transform Politics A new book - How Compassion can Transform our Politics, Economy and Society - from leading academics, politicians, and activists argues that compassion is key to building an equal, sustainable, and happier world. To mark its launch, we’re delighted to welcome three of the authors to the Oxford Union for this event. Together, they will explain what compassion is, how we can cultivate it, and why they believe it could help us change our world for the better.

Professor Mark Maslin Professor Maslin is a Professor of Climatology at University College London. He is a climate change expert and activist, and is science advisor to the Global Cool Foundation. He authored Climate Change: A Very Short Introduction and How to Save our Planet, and argues for compassion in climate activism.

Professor Danny Dorling Professor Dorling is Halford Mackinder Professor of Geography at the University of Oxford. He has written extensively on economic inequality, declaring it ‘the key political issue of our time’. He authored Injustice: Why Social Inequality Persists, and argues for compassion in economics.

Jennifer Nadel Jennifer Nadel is a barrister, author, activist and award-winning television journalist. She co-founded the campaign group Compassion in Politics, which works to reform parliamentary systems and develop policy proposals to encourage greater compassion and inclusion.

SPECIAL EVENTS WEEK X 5

T U E S DAY 9 T H N O V, 1 7 : 0 0

Does God Exist? What Philosophy Says This head-to-head debate will reflect on an age-old question which has been considered by philosophers and theologians for millennia: does God exist? Our two speakers will discuss the philosophical arguments for and against the existence of God, from moral and logical arguments to those posed by observed phenomena of the universe.

Professor Richard Swinburne Professor Swinburne is an Emeritus Professor of Philosophy of the Christian Religion at the University of Oxford. He is an influential proponent of philosophical arguments for the existence of God, and authored The Coherence of Theism, The Existence of God, and Faith and Reason.

Professor Peter Millican Professor Millican is the Gilbert Ryle Fellow and Professor of Philosophy at Hertford College. He questions the existence of God, and is known for his works on David Hume, the philosophy of religion, and moral philosophy.

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T U E S DAY 9 T H N O V, 2 0 : 0 0

Grassroots Activism in Sport How to Provide the Opportunities for All While sport has the potential to be a powerful unifying force for society, it still remains highly exclusionary. Young children across the country are denied access to many sports based on a number of discriminating factors including race, gender, and socio-economic status. In this special event, Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE and Vicky Gosling OBE will reflect on their own experiences and activism to discuss how to truly open up sport for all.

Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE Ebony Rainford-Brent is England’s first black female cricketer and former Surrey captain. She was part of the World Cup winning England team, and is now a commentator for Sky Sports and the BBC. She set up Surrey’s African-Caribbean Engagement programme to encourage black teenagers to get into cricket.

Vicky Gosling OBE Vicky Gosling is the Chief Executive of GB Snowsport and will be GB Olympic Team Leader at the Beijing winter games. A former Group Captain in the Royal Air Force, she has had an equally successful career in sport since completing her 21 years of service. She was previously CEO of the Invictus games.

SPECIAL EVENTS WEEK 5

W E D N E S DAY 1 0 T H N O V, 2 0 : 0 0

Dancing with the Dragon China: Friend or Foe? China has increasingly dominated headlines as a growing economic superpower whose growth and foreign policy are rapidly restructuring international politics. This head-to-head debate will consider China’s place in the world, whether the balance of global power has tilted towards China, and what the true nature of Sino-British and Sino-American relations are. Has China won? What does winning actually mean for China? Our two speakers will consider these questions and more as we explore how China is remaking the modern world.

Dr Michael Pillsbury Dr Michael Pillsbury is Director of the Center on Chinese Strategy at the Hudson Institute. He has held numerous defence and foreign policy advisory positions in the US Government and is considered the architect of Trump’s China policy.

Rt. Hon. Sir Vince Cable Sir Vince Cable is a British Liberal Democrat Politician who served as Party Leader and spent five years in the coalition cabinet as Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. He authored The Chinese Conundrum, which explores relations between China and the West.

Professor Rana Mitter (Moderator) Professor Mitter is a Professor of the History and Politics of Modern China. He has served as the Director of the Oxford China Centre. He is the author of numerous books on China, including A Bitter Revolution: China’s Struggle with the Modern World.

TSHPEE COI XA FL OERVDE NUTNSI OWNE E K 6

M O N DAY 1 5 T H N O V, 2 0 : 0 0

The Impossible Office No. 10 and its Office Holders The Prime Ministerial brief has changed and grown dramatically throughout history. Originally acting as a bridge between the Crown and Parliament, the PM must now lead the nation while also being a party leader and efficient administrator. It has been the ambition of many Oxonians but is the role now powerful in theory only? Can a modern Prime Minister meaningfully set their agenda and achieve their political goals, or is it a role that must necessarily end in failure? 300 years since its introduction, this panel will unpack the history and current relevance of the office of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Sir Anthony Seldon Sir Anthony Seldon is well known for his political biographies, charting the careers of every Prime Minister since Margaret Thatcher. He has examined the history of the office in his books The Powers Behind the Prime Minister and The Impossible Office? The History of the British Prime Minister. 34

Rt. Hon. Baroness Fall Baroness Fall is a British political advisor who served as Deputy Chief of Staff to David Cameron. She is the author of The Gatekeeper: Life at the Heart of Number 10.

Sir Oliver Robbins KCMG CB Sir Oliver Robbins is a fomer senior civil servant who served as Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister under both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. He was subsequently Chief Negotiator for Exiting the European Union between 2017 and 2019.

SPECIAL EVENTS WEEK X 8

T U E S DAY 3 0 T H N O V, 1 7 : 0 0

Realistic Human Security Principles and Policies for the Individual, the Nation, and the Planet Humankind has always been under threat from itself; wars and civil strife have been one of the few constants throughout history. However, the biggest security threat facing us today has taken a very different form: climate change. How do we factor in questions of borders and sovereignty when trying to formulate a coherent, unified global response to tackle global warming? Join world-renowned conservationist Dame Jane Goodall and global security expert Jonathan Granoff in a candid conversation about the role of individuals and states in shaping human security.

Dame Jane Goodall DBE Dame Jane Goodall is a world leading expert on chimpanzees and has carried out over 60 years of groundbreaking work. She is the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, a global conservation organisation. She has received numerous awards for her tireless work in the fields of conservation, animal welfare, and humanitarianism, and was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2002.

Jonathan Granoff Jonathan Granoff is President of the Global Security Institute and is an Advisory Board Member of the Jane Goodall Institute. He previously served as the Vice President of the UN NGO Committee on Disarmament, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, and presented at the 10th World Summit of Nobel Laureates. 35

Benazir Bhutto Lecture SPEAKER AND DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED The Annual Benazir Bhutto Lecture was conceived to honour leaders who have energised movements, reimagined institutions, and achieved transformative progress in the continuous pursuit of equality and human dignity. The Lecture was set up to honour the legacy of our former President, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto. In 2019, Prime Minister Theresa May delivered the inaugural Lecture in recognition of her efforts to fight injustice in the United Kingdom, including her initiatives on narrowing the gender pay gap. Last year, Prime Minister David Cameron was honoured for his leadership in legalising samesex marriage, alongside driving an international coalition to publicise the pressing need for Alzheimer's research.

RECIPROCAL CLUB MEMBERSHIP E N J OY TH E C OMF ORTS OF THE UNI ON I N TH E H E ART OF LO ND O N

OPEN PERIOD

BEER GARDEN RETURNS TO THE OXFORD UNION COURTYARD 37

SPEAKERS Each term, we aim to bring to the Union a plethora of unique and influential speakers. We hope that there will be something for everyone in a term that brings together pioneers and leaders in almost every field. The committee will be working hard throughout the term to add new speakers to this line-up - check the website, Facebook page, or the mailing list (which you can join via the website or through emailing enquiries@oxford-union.org) for the most up-to-date list of events. Make sure to look out for Facebook events where you can find the ballot to join the meet and greets with the speakers. 38

Please note that one of the challenges inherent in hosting high calibre speakers is that their schedules can change at short notice. In the rare situation in which this occurs, we will do everything we can to rearrange the event for a different date and ensure that members are given adequate notice of changes or cancellations.

WEEK 0

WEEK 2

WEEK 1 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 WEEK 5 WEEK 6 WEEK 7 WEEK 8

TO BE ANNOUNCED

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SPEAKERS WEEK 0

TUESDAY 5TH OCT, 17:00

Levison Wood

Walking The Nile Explorer Levison Wood is an acclaimed explorer, writer, and photographer who has written nine bestselling books and produced critically acclaimed documentaries. Having travelled and filmed in over one hundred countries worldwide, he is best known for having walked the Nile and the Himalayas, and is currently focusing on a project on elephant conservation in Botswana. Wood is also a reservist army Major and served in Afghanistan fighting against Taliban insurgents for the British Army.

WEDNESDAY 6TH OCT, 17:00

Dr Arthur Laffer

Taxation of the Top 1%: Economic Justice, Growth and Government Funding Dr Arthur Laffer is an American economist, who gained prominence during the Reagan administration. He is best known for the Laffer curve, an economic theory that suggests governments can cut taxes and simultaneously increase revenue and economic growth. He was an economic advisor during Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and, in 2019, Trump awarded Laffer the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 40

SPEAKERS WEEK 1

MONDAY 11TH OCT, 17:00

Beatrice Fihn

Nobel Peace Prize Winner Beatrice Fihn is a Swedish lawyer and the Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). ICAN was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017, in recognition of its work ‘to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons’, which was accepted by Fihn and Hiroshima survivor Setsuko Thurlow.

TUESDAY 12TH OCT, 17:00

Professor David Gergen Former White House Communications Director

Professor David Gergen is a senior political analyst for CNN and was a presidential adviser to numerous administrations. He served as Director of Speechwriting for President Nixon and Director of Communications for Presidents Ford and Reagan. He later became a senior adviser to President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Warren Christopher. Gergen is now a Professor of Public Service and the founding Director of the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School. 41

SPEAKERS WEEK 2

TUESDAY 12TH OCT, 20:00

Jerry Yang

Co-Founder of Yahoo! Jerry Yang is a Taiwanese-American billionaire, computer programmer, internet entrepreneur, and venture capitalist, best known as the co-founder and ex-CEO of Yahoo!. Under his leadership, Yahoo! grew significantly and purchased a 40% stake in Chinese giant Alibaba in 2005. Yang is also an avid philanthropist, who has donated extensively to Stanford University and multiple art museums.

SUNDAY 17TH OCT, 17:00

Joe Lonsdale

Venture Capitalist and founding Partner at 8VC Joe Lonsdale is a prominent entrepreneur, venture capitalist, writer, and lecturer. He is a co-founder of Palantir, a multi-billion dollar software company well-known for its work in finance and defence, as well as Addepar, a wealth management platform responsible for over $2 trillion in wealth. Lonsdale additionally founded OpenGov, which has revolutionised the technology used by more than 2,000 government agencies. Lonsdale was the youngest member of the Forbes 100 Midas List in 2016 and 2017. 42

SPEAKERS WEEK 2

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SPEAKERS WEEK 2

MONDAY 18TH OCT, 09:00

Dr Kai-Fu Lee

Former President of Google China Dr Kai-Fu Lee is a Taiwanese-born American computer scientist and businessman. He has worked as an executive at companies including Apple, Microsoft, and Google, and later became the Founding President of Google China, presiding over the long-anticipated launch of the Google.cn regional website. He is also the CEO of Sinovation Ventures, a venture capital fund with investors, including YouTube founder Steven Chen. With 50 million followers on Sina Weibo, he is one of the most followed micro-bloggers in China and has recently authored AI 2041: Ten Vision for Our Future.

SPEAKERS WEEK 2

TUESDAY 19TH OCT, 17:00

Dr Carol Queen Sexologist and Author

Carol Queen is an author, educator, activist, and renowned sexologist. She has become a prominent advocate for freedom of sexual expression. She has campaigned to remove the stigma from sex through her erotic fiction, memoirs, essays, and many other writings. Queen also curates the Antique Vibrator Museum and writes a weekly sex and relationship advice column at Good Vibrations.

TUESDAY 19TH OCT, 20:00

Carole Baskin

Tiger King Star and CEO of Big Cat Rescue

Carole Baskin is the CEO of Big Cat Rescue, a non-profit animal sanctuary based in Florida. She is a lead campaigner for the introduction of laws to prevent the private trade and ownership of big cats. She came to prominence following the Netflix true-crime documentary series Tiger King. She also starred in the 2021 Louis Theroux documentary Shooting Joe Exotic. 45

SPEAKERS WEEK 2

WEDNESDAY 20TH OCT, 20:00

Bryan Cranston Breaking Bad Star

Bryan Cranston is an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, best known for his roles as Walter White in Breaking Bad, Dr Tim Whatley in Seinfeld and Hal in Malcolm in the Middle. He has received numerous nominations and awards for his roles, including Emmy Awards, Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Golden Globe Awards. He has appeared in several other acclaimed films, including Saving Private Ryan, Godzilla and Kung Fu Panda 3.

FRIDAY 22ND OCT, 17:00

Azra Jafari

Afghanistan’s First Female Mayor

Azra Jafari became the first female mayor in Afghanistan following her appointment to the Mayorship of Nili, Daykundi Province, in 2008. Whilst a refugee in Iran, Jafari served as Editor-in-Chief of the Afghan cultural magazine Farhang and established a school for the children of Afghan refugees. Following her return to Afghanistan, Jafari was a member of the Loya Jirga under the Karzai administration and was the sole female co-author of the new Constitution of Afghanistan in 2003. She authored I Am A Working Woman, holds a degree in midwifery, and has won numerous awards for her commitment to social development.

SPEAKERS WEEK 2

FRIDAY 22ND OCT, 20:00

Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett

House Manager for Trump’s Impeachment

Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett is a Delegate to the United States House of Representatives from the United States Virgin Islands and is currently serving her fourth term in Congress. She was a member of the Republican Party until late 2008 when she switched to the Democratic Party. Plaskett served as a House impeachment manager during the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump following the storming of the US Capitol in January 2021.

SPEAKERS WEEK 3

TUESDAY 26TH OCT, 20:00

Dr Edwin Catmull Founder of Pixar

Dr Edwin Catmull co-founded Pixar Animation Studios and served as its President for 33 years, alongside being President of Walt Disney Animation Studios. He has received five Academy Awards and the Gordon E. Sawyer Award for lifetime achievement in the field of computer graphics.

SPEAKERS WEEK 3

WEDNESDAY 27TH OCT, 20:00

Jameela Jamil

The Good Place Star and Body-Positive Activist Jameela Jamil is an English actress, presenter, and activist, known for her role as Tahani Al-Jamil in the NBC fantasy-comedy series The Good Place. She is the founder of I WEIGH, which emerged from her activism against harmful beauty standards and her advocacy for self-love.

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SPEAKERS WEEK 4

MONDAY 1ST NOV, 17:00

Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya

Pro-democracy Belarusian Opposition Leader Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya is a Belarusian human rights activist and politician. She ran in the 2020 Belarusian presidential election as the main opposition candidate to incumbent Alexander Lukashenko, following the arrest of her husband, Sergei Tikhanovsky, after he declared his intention to run. For her efforts she was nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize.

SPEAKERS WEEK 4

TUESDAY 2ND NOV, 17:00

Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell

Astrophysicist Who Discovered the First Radio Pulsars Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell is an astrophysicist, whose groundbreaking research has earned her prizes including the Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics and the Copley Medal. She discovered radio pulsars in 1967. This discovery earned the Nobel Prize in Physics, though she personally was not one of the recipients, which has generated controversy. Burnell has since campaigned to improve the number of women in the fields of physics and astronomy.

WEDNESDAY 3RD NOV, 20:00

Michael Eavis CBE

Co-creator of the Glastonbury Festival

Michael Eavis is the co-creator of Glastonbury Festival, one of the world’s most famous music and performing arts festivals. Regarded as a major event in British culture, the Festival has influenced, and been influenced by, hippie and counterculture movements for the past fifty years. Eavis has been included in the annual Time Magazine Top 100 Most Influential People in the World for his founding role. The Festival now raises approximately £2 million each year in aid of Greenpeace, Oxfam, WaterAid, and hundreds of local causes. 52

SPEAKERS WEEK 4

FRIDAY 5TH NOV, 17:00

Brian Cox CBE

Emmy Award and Golden Globe Winner

Brian Cox is a Scottish actor, director, and producer. He is a Golden Globe, Emmy Award, and two-time Olivier Award winner and shot to stardom following his role in Braveheart. Cox has worked extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre, where he gained recognition for his portrayal of King Lear. He has featured in countless films including X-Men 2, The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

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SPEAKERS WEEK 5

MONDAY 8TH NOV, 20:00

Dr Nadine Burke Harris

First Surgeon General of California

Dr Nadine Burke Harris is the current and first Surgeon General of California, following her appointment by Governor Gavin Newsom, in 2019. She is known for her research into early childhood trauma and its effects on long-term health. Burke Harris is considered a pioneer in the treatment of toxic stress and is the founder and former CEO of the Center for Youth Wellness.

SPEAKERS WEEK 5

WEDNESDAY 10TH NOV, 17:00

Lord Rowan Williams 104th Archbishop of Canterbury

Lord Williams is a Welsh Anglican bishop, theologian, and poet. He was the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002 to 2012 having previously served as Bishop of Monmouth and Archbishop of Wales. As Archbishop of Canterbury, he was viewed by many as a progressive voice and notably attempted to allow the appointment of women as bishops in the Church of England. He has also served as President of Magdalene College, Cambridge.

SPEAKERS WEEK 5

THURSDAY 11TH NOV, 17:00

Ambassador Paula Dobriansky

Great Power Competition: America’s Challenges and Opportunities Ambassador Paula Dobriansky is an American diplomat, public official, and foreign policy expert. She served as Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs from 2001 to 2009, and as the President’s Envoy to Northern Ireland from 2007 to 2009. Dobriansky has held key senior roles in the administrations of five US Presidents and specialises in European affairs, the former Soviet Union, Transatlantic relations, and political-military affairs.

SATURDAY 13TH NOV, 20:00

Julian Casablancas Lead Singer of The Strokes

Julian Casablancas is a musical icon best known as the lead singer of the seminal band The Strokes. The Grammy Awardwinning singer ushered in a new wave of indie rock music and has also collaborated with pop artists such as Daft Punk and Pharrell. He has more recently teamed up with Rolling Stone for S.O.S. – Earth Is A Mess, a new video series in which he interviews the ‘shapers of tomorrow’.

SPEAKERS WEEK 6

MONDAY 15TH NOV, 17:00

Dr Danny Sriskandarajah CEO of Oxfam GB

Dr Danny Sriskandarajah became the youngest ever CEO of Oxfam GB in January 2019. He was previously Director General of the Royal Commonwealth Society and was the youngest, and first non-British, person to become Secretary General of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation. Sriskandarajah is the author of numerous reports and academic articles on international migration and economic development, and was previously a Rhodes Scholar.

TUESDAY 16TH NOV, 17:00

George Takei

Star Trek Star and Activist George Takei is an American actor, author, and activist best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu in the popular television series Star Trek. His acting career has spanned five decades, and he has starred in more than forty feature fillms. He is an avid campaigner for social justice, LGBT rights, and marriage equality. He has also received several accolades for his work to improve Japanese-American relations, including being awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by HM The Emperor of Japan.

SPEAKERS WEEK 6

TUESDAY 16TH NOV, 20:00

Chris Wallace

US Presidential Debate Moderator and Fox News Sunday Host Chris Wallace is an American journalist and television news anchor, best known for hosting the Fox News program Fox News Sunday since 2003. He has gained acclaim for his interviews with politicians including American Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to a 2018 poll, he was ranked as one of the most trusted TV news anchors in America, and has received multiple awards including a Peabody Award, a George Polk Award, the duPont-Columbia University Silver Baton Award, and a Paul White Lifetime Achievement Award.

SPEAKERS WEEK 6

WEDNESDAY 17TH NOV, 17:00

Daniel ‘Lemony Snicket’ Handler Author of A Series of Unfortunate Events

Daniel Handler is the bestselling author of the children’s books A Series of Unfortunate Events and All the Wrong Questions, written under his pseudonym Lemony Snicket. A Series of Unfortunate Events has been printed in 41 different languages and has sold over 65 million copies worldwide. In 2004, it was adapted into an Academy Award-winning feature film and has since been made into a Netflix series.

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SPEAKERS WEEK 6

FRIDAY 19TH NOV, 17:00

Julie K. Brown

Investigative Journalist Who Broke the Epstein Story Julie K. Brown is an investigative reporter with the Miami Herald. She is best known for her work exposing Jeffrey Epstein, which led to the resignation of President Trump’s Labour Secretary and Epstein’s arrest on new charges. Brown’s series on abuse and corruption in Florida prisons won a George Polk Award.

SATURDAY 20TH NOV, 17:00

Kevin Bacon

Footlose Star and Golden Globe Winner Kevin Bacon is an award-winning American actor, best known for starring in Footloose, JFK, A Few Good Men, and Apollo 13. In 2003, Bacon was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the motion picture industry. He has won and been nominated for numerous accolades for his work, including Golden Globe Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award. As Brand Ambassador for EE, he launched their campaign to give unlimited data to housebound pupils during the COVID-19 pandemic. 61

SPEAKERS WEEK 7

MONDAY 22ND NOV, 20:00

Professor Louise Richardson Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University

Professor Louise Richardson has been Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford since 2016. She is an accomplished political scientist, specialising in the field of terrorism, and previously held top leadership roles at the University of St Andrews and Harvard University. As ViceChancellor, she has worked to increase access to the University of Oxford and has committed the University to ensuring that, by 2023, 25% of British students admitted will be from underrepresented backgrounds.

SPEAKERS WEEK 7

MONDAY 22ND NOV, 17:00

Dame Olivia Newton-John

Star of Grease and Grammy Award Winner Dame Olivia Newton-John is a British-Australian singer, songwriter, actress, and activist. Known for her starring role as Sandy in Grease, she has achieved four Grammy Awards and multiple US number 1 singles. Having sold an estimated 100 million records worldwide, she is one of the bestselling music artists of all time, with hit songs including the duet ‘You’re the One That I Want’, ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’, and ‘If You Love Me (Let Me Know)’. She is an avid environmental and animal rights activist.

TUESDAY 23RD NOV, 17:00

Jenny Packham

British Fashion Designer

Jenny Packham is a celebrated British fashion designer with flagship stores in London, Paris, and New York. She has designed clothing for countless high profile figures including Keira Knightley, Taylor Swift, and Uma Thurman, as well as multiple dresses for HRH the Duchess of Cambridge. A revolutionary in the bridal industry, her designs were first showcased at the London Designer Show in 1988, and the 25th anniversary of her label was celebrated with an exhibition at the V&A Museum.

SPEAKERS WEEK 7

TUESDAY 23RD NOV, 20:00

Lord Jeffrey Archer Novelist and Former MP

Lord Archer is a former politician and bestselling novelist, having sold over 320 million books in 97 countries and 37 languages. Archer sat as an MP for five years in the House of Commons and for 29 years in the House of Lords. Archer also gained an Athletics Blue at Oxford and ran for Great Britain in 1966. His novel Over My Dead Body is being published this October.

WEDNESDAY 24TH NOV, 17:00

Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes is President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. She is a retired Justice of Appeal, having served her country, both in public office and private practice. In 2018, she was awarded the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

SPEAKERS WEEK 7

WEDNESDAY 24TH NOV, 20:00

Dr Husam Zomlot

Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK Dr Husam Zomlot has been Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK since October 2018. Zomlot was previously head of the Palestinian Liberation Organization Mission to the US, which was closed by Trump’s administration. He is also a senior member of Fatah, the main Palestinian movement, and a strategic advisor to the Palestinian President. In the past, Zomlot served as director of Fatah’s Commission for Foreign Relations, and was previously a Professor of Public Policy at Birzeit University.

SPEAKERS WEEK 7

THURSDAY 25TH NOV, 17:00

Professor Jordan Peterson

Canadian Professor of Psychology and Author Professor Jordan Peterson is a Canadian psychology professor, author, and YouTube personality. He is well-known for his bestselling book 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, as well as his podcast and many viral YouTube videos. A self-described ‘classic British liberal’ and ‘traditionalist’, Peterson argues against the rise of political correctness and safe spaces, which he claims have swept many North American universities. He has also controversially argued against the Canadian Government introducing ‘gender identity and expression’ as a prohibited ground of discrimination.

SPEAKERS WEEK 8

MONDAY 29TH NOV, 20:00

Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh OBE Olympic Hockey Gold Medallists

Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh made history as the first same-sex married couple to win an Olympic gold medal together. Kate is the most capped GB female hockey player and captained GB and England women’s hockey teams for 13 years. Helen was the youngest woman to represent GB hockey at an Olympics and was named in the FIH World All Stars Team three times.

TUESDAY 30TH NOV, 20:00

Elise Christie

Short Track Speed Skating World Champion Elise Christie is a British short track speed skater, specialising in the 1000m event. Making the switch from figure skating to speed skating at the age of 15, Christie has become a European gold medallist ten times. In 2017, she became the first British and European woman to win the overall gold in the World Championships in Rotterdam, winning the 1000m and 1500m events. She was named Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year and has used her platform to raise awareness of mental health problems. 67

SPEAKERS WEEK 8

WEDNESDAY 1ST DEC, 17:00

Marco Bertacca CEO of Quorn Foods

Marco Bertacca is the current CEO of Quorn Foods and was previously the Managing Director of Alaska Milk Corp. He has also held senior roles in a number of other food and drink companies, including Friesland Campina, BakeMark, Unilever, and CSM Bakery Solutions. As CEO of Quorn Foods, Bertacca aims to make the company carbon negative by 2030.

SPEAKERS WEEK 8

WEDNESDAY 1ST DEC, 20:00

Eddie Hearn

Sports Promoter and Founder of Matchroom Sport Eddie Hearn is a British Sports Promoter and Chairman of Matchroom Sport, one of the world’s largest boxing promotional outfits. Hearn has managed a series of ground-breaking promotions featuring world champions including Anthony Joshua and Canelo Álvarez, breaking records for ticket sales and viewership. In 2018, Hearn signed an unprecedented agreement to stream shows across the United States, securing boxing’s first $1 billion deal.

SPEAKERS TBA

TO BE ANNOUNCED

Jared Harris

Mad Men and Chernobyl Star Jared Harris is an award-winning English actor. He has starred in Mad Men, The Crown, and The Expanse, and won the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor for his work in the HBO mini-series Chernobyl. In 2021 he will play a main role in the Apple TV+ science fiction series Foundation.

TO BE ANNOUNCED

John Simpson CBE

World Affairs Editor of BBC News

John Simpson is a veteran Foreign Correspondent and BBC World Affairs Editor. Over the past five decades, he has reported from over 120 countries, including from Tiananmen Square in 1989 and Iraq in 2003. He has received numerous accolades for his work including a CBE, an International Emmy, and three BAFTAs.

SPEAKERS TBA

TO BE ANNOUNCED

The Secret Barrister

Bestselling Anonymous Authour The Secret Barrister is an anonymous author, blogger, and junior barrister specialising in criminal law. Their 2018 book, Stories of The Law and How It’s Broken, and their 2020 book, Fake Law, were both Sunday Times Bestsellers. The Secret Barrister was named Legal Personality of The Year at the annual Law Society Awards and in 2020 created the Channel 4 four-part documentary series, The Secret Barrister: Disordered Justice. They write frequently for national newspapers and were twice named Independent Blogger of the Year at the annual Editorial Intelligence Comment Awards.

SPEAKERS TBA

TO BE ANNOUNCED

Thomas Friedman

Political Commentator and Pulitzer Prize Winner Thomas Friedman is a three-time Pulitzer award-winning political commentator, author, and columnist specialising in foreign affairs, globalisation, and the Middle East. Friedman spent four years as the New York Times Bureau Chief in Jerusalem, where he wrote his award-winning book From Beirut to Jerusalem. Friedman has been credited with persuading Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah to end the Arab-Israeli conflict.

SPEAKERS TBA

TO BE ANNOUNCED

Joe Kennedy III

Former US Representative Joe Kennedy III is an American lawyer and politician who served as the US Representative for Massachusetts’s 4th Congressional District from 2013 to 2021. A member of the Kennedy family, he is the son of US Representative Joseph P. Kennedy II and the great-nephew of US President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy has helped pass legislation to guarantee access to STEM and vocational education and co-sponsored legislation to eliminate student debt. He has also co-sponsored legislation to reduce racial discrimination in housing and has supported criminal justice reform.

TO BE ANNOUNCED

General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith KCB CBE Chief of the General Staff of the British Army

General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith is the current Chief of the General Staff head of the British Army. He commissioned out of Sandhurst into the Irish Guards, marking the beginning of a 39-year career in HM Armed Forces. He was deployed to Northern Ireland and the Gulf War, before serving with the SAS in Bosnia. He has since gone on to lead operations in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He has held senior directing roles in the British Army and was made a General in 2018. 73

SPEAKERS TBA

TO BE ANNOUNCED

Reverend Al Sharpton American Civil Rights Activist

Reverend Al Sharpton is an American civil rights activist, politician, and founder of the National Action Network. He was a formative figure in the American civil rights movement in the late nineties and protested with figures including Reverend Jesse Jackson. His work acted as a precursor to much of the Black Lives Matter movement, with President Obama describing Sharpton as ‘the voice of the voiceless and a champion for the downtrodden’.

TO BE ANNOUNCED

Robert Peston

ITV Journalist and Author Robert Peston is a British journalist, currently serving as Political Editor of ITV News and host of the weekly political discussion show Peston. He has received numerous awards for his reporting on the 2008 financial crisis and has authored several books including WTF?, which charts the events leading up to the 2016 Brexit referendum, and The Whistleblower, a political thriller released in 2021.

SPEAKERS TBA

TO BE ANNOUNCED

Yalda Hakim

Award-Winning Journalist Yalda Hakim is an award-winning foreign correspondent and currently anchors the flagship programme Impact with Yalda Hakim on BBC World News. Her interview with President Trump’s National Security Advisor HR McMaster made global headlines when he accepted that Russia had interfered in the 2016 US elections. Most recently, Hakim was credited for her calm and professional interview with a Taliban spokesperson, who called her live on air.

TO BE ANNOUNCED

Mark Cavendish MBE

Road Racing Cyclist World Champion

Mark Cavendish is a British professional road racing cyclist. This year, Cavendish claimed his 50th Grand Tour stage victory, winning stage six of the 2021 Tour de France. Cavendish was labelled the ‘greatest sprinter in the history of the Tour and of cycling’ by the Director of the Tour de France and holds the most Tour de France stage wins of any sprinter.

SOCIALS Not only do we have a huge range of speaker and debate events, but we invite you to one of the busiest and brightest social calendars in Oxford. From seasonal favourites, including Oxtoberfest and our OxMas Soirée celebrations, to the return of Miss Take, there is something for every member. For any queries, please contact the Secretary, at secretary@oxford-union.org.

Oxford Union Ball Pub Quizzes Wine & Cheese Night Gin Tasting Karaoke Night Stand Up Comedy Oxtoberfest Chinese Wine Tasting Vino & Vinyasa Musical Mercredi OxMas Soirée Drag Show by Miss Take

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EVENING!

FOR

FRIDAY 15 OCTOBER 1ST WEEK • 8PM MEMBERS: £20 GUEST: £25

wine & cheese night IN AN AGE OF DIVISION, WINE AND CHEESE REMAIN AN ICONIC UNIFYING FORCE. WHETHER YOU ARE A PINOT PEDANT OR A FROMAGE FORMALIST, YOU ARE WELCOMED TO AN EVENT THAT IS SURE TO GIVE YOUR TASTE BUDS A TREAT.

THE OXFORD ARTISAN DISTILLARY

GIN TASTING The Oxford Artisan Distillery, located near South Parks, produces locally sourced gin, vodka and whisky. Join them in the Union bar as they provide expert insights into the process of making spirits and the finer nuances of the tastes.

Free entry and free drinks provided. Contact Arjun Bhardwaj at treasurer@oxford-union.org for more details.

CHARITY FUNDRAISER

WEAR IT PINK KARAOKE NIGHT

£1

SHO

IN COLLABORATION WITH

OXWIB FEMSOC PINK WEEK

22ND

2ND WEEK

OCTOBER 7:00 PM

- OPEN MIC -

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE -

ALEX FOSTER, THEO SERGIOU, ALEX FISH, ALEX BURGAR SAT 23 OCT (2ND WEEK) 8:00 PM THE MEMBERS' BAR

FUNDRAISING FOR

BEER FEST T IV A E AL R G

OBERF

30TH

T S E

OCT 3RD WEEK

BEER

MUSIC

FOOD

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OXFORD UNIVERSITY GERMAN SOCIETY

Chinese Wine Tasting A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHINA IN SIX WINES

8PM FRIDAY 5 NOVEMBER 4TH WEEK

Vino & Vinyasa BRING ALONG A MAT AND JOIN US FOR VINYASA AND REFRESHMENTS IN THE UNION’S HISTORIC CHAMBER

Free Entry - Limited Space Sunday 7 November (4th Week) - 6PM

8: 00 PM W EDNES DA Y 1 7 N O V ( 6T H W E E K )

Musical Mercredi Join us for an evening showcasing Oxford's incredible musical talent in the Oxford Union bar. With the melodious tones of our musicians to accompany your evening, this is a night you should not miss!

Join us for a night of festivities! 7PM SATURDAY 20 NOVEMBER 6th Week

The Union warmly welcomes you to celebrate OxMas in our historic chamber. With live jazz music from Garfunkel, and a wonderful selection of yuletide drinks, this year will be one to remember. Dress Code: Black tie

BACK BY HER OWN DEMAND, AND DETERMINED TO LIVE UP TO HER OFSTED RATING OF ‘THE SEXIEST TEACHER EVER’, MISS TAKE HAS PREPARED A WHOLE NEW CURRICULUM TO TEACH YOU ABOUT THE WORLD AND THE PERSON IT REVOLVES AROUND…HERSELF.

BE ON YOUR BEST BEHAVIOUR ...THOUGH YOU CAN GUARANTEE SHE WON’T BE. ANYBODY ARRIVING LATE WILL RECEIVE A BIG RED MARK.

8PM SUNDAY 28 NOVEMBER 8TH WEEK

INF ORMAT I ON Guest Policy

Competitive Debating

Treasurer’s Treats

Committees

How To Get Involved

3. All members who wish to attend the event have already taken their seats.

Library

Events will be made exclusive to members when there is a security risk. Given (3) above, it is very unlikely that there will be space for guests at an extremely popular event.

The Oxford Union Committee

Members are allowed to bring up to three guests to an event, as long as: 1. The guest is not themselves eligible for membership of the Oxford Union. 2. The guest pays a £10 fee on the door.

The Members’ Bar 93 94

INFORMATION

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. This year, an Oxford team won the European Universities Debating Championships, and four speakers placed in the top ten. Oxford Debating offers something for every level, from total novices to world champions, and will finally take place in person again this Michaelmas.

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, both online, and once again, in person. Finally, we host the Oxford IV, one of the largest debating competitions in Europe, the Oxford Wom*n’s and Gender Minorities’ Open, and organise a schools’ competition that takes place across the country and beyond.

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 a bit more experience, our Intermediate and Advanced squads run on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at the Union, where our coaches provide a one-on-one development and strengthening programme.

If you have any questions, or want to sign up for workshops or squads, please contact the Chair of Debate Selection Committee, Andrew Chen, at cdsc@oxford-union.org. To sign up to the mailing list for weekly updates – including information on weekly training and how to attend tournaments – send a blank email to debate-announcesubscribe@maillist. ox.ac.uk. You may also want to like the Oxford Debating Facebook Page and join the Oxford Debaters Facebook Group.

INFORMATION

Treasurer’s Treats Make the most of your membership: enjoy these exclusive offers by presenting your membership card. If you experience any issues in using the discounts, please contact Arjun Bhardwaj by sending an email to treasurer@oxford-union.org. All discounts can be found on the Oxford Union app. More Treasurer’s Treats will be confirmed throughout term, so keep an eye on your emails! Restaurants Artisan Café Barefoot Bella Italia

Benito’s Hat Côte Brasserie Dirty Bones Fanteastea iScream Gelataria Mamma Mia (Jericho) Moo-Moo’s Moshi Opera Café Oxford Sandwich Company Paul Pho Pizza Pilgrims Plants and Grills Queen’s Lane Coffee House Sofi de France Taste of China Thaikhun Tick Tock Café Vaults and Garden Café

10% discount 15% discount 30% discount (Mon-Wed) and 20% discount on Christmas party menu (after 7:30pm Sun - Wed) 20% discount (Sun-Fri) Complimentary Kir Royale when dining 25% off food, £5 signature cocktails all day/night (Sun-Thur) 10% discount 10% discount 15% discount (Mon - Thurs) 10% discount 15% discount (after 15:00) 5% discount 10% discount 20% discount 15% discount off Food (2 people max) £10 pizza & a drink (Mon-Fri) 20% discount (Sun-Fri) 20% discount over £5 15% discount, 20% if over £20 (excl Sat) 10% discount (Mon-Fri, cash only) 20% discount (Sun-Thu) 10% discount 10% discount on food

Bars and Pubs Alchemist Angels Oxford Wine Company The House Victors

10% discount on food 20% discount 10% discount Happy Hour at all times 20% discount (Sun-Fri)

Shops & Others Happy Cakes The Economist T M Lewin Western Computer Group Burrows & Hare

15% discount 20% discount Special Oxford Union Suit Deal 10% discount 10% discount

INFORMATION

Committees The affairs of the Society are managed by a number of committees, each of which will meet in person throughout the term. These committees work for you, so please do not hesitate to email the respective chairs for information on how to join these meetings. You can join these meetings by emailing the respective committee chairs. STANDING COMMITTEE

Chair – Chengkai Xie, President president@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. FINANCE COMMITTEE

Chair – Arjun Bhardwaj, Treasurer treasurer@oxford-union.org The Finance Committee scrutinises the Union’s finances and reports its findings to the Standing Committee. CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

Chair – Amber Warner-Warr, CCC ccc@oxford-union.org The Consultative Committee gives you the opportunity to ask questions to the sitting officials of the Union, and stay up to date on the running of the society’s events.

ACCESS COMMITTEE

Chairs – Laura Smith, Senior Access Officer Ethan Dodd, Junior Access Officer laura.smith@oxford-union.org ethan.dodd@oxford-union.org The Access Committee is responsible for promoting the inclusion of underrepresented groups, by planning events and suggesting changes. LIBRARY COMMITTEE

Chair – Michael-Akolade Ayodeji, Librarian librarian@oxford-union.org The Library Committee is responsible for the Library’s overall management, and decides which new books the Library purchases. DEBATE SELECTION COMMITTEE

Chair – Andrew Chen, CDSC cdsc@oxford-union.org Debate Selection Committee manages the Union’s competitive debating wing, arranging training and competitions. BAR STRATEGY COMMITTEE

Chair – Ananya Chowdhury, Secretary secretary@oxford-union.org The Bar Strategy Committee oversees the management of the Bar and makes decisions regarding its stocks, budgets, and furnishings.

INFORMATION

How To Get Involved ASK QUESTIONS The Union remains resolute in its commitment to giving members the opportunity to engage with and challenge its speakers. For each of our talks, members will have the opportunity to ask questions live during the event. We encourage you to take advantage of this, to join the conversation this Michaelmas. 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 undertaken in-person (subject to COVID-19 guidelines), and more information will be released nearer the time on how to vote. If you intend to run in this election, please email the Returning Officer at ro@oxford-union.org for more comprehensive details. APPLY TO BE ON APPOINTED COMMITTEE A number of positions on Oxford Union Committees are appointed, including Press, Sponsorship, and Liberation Officers. All appointees also assist in inviting speakers and arranging debates over the vacation, typically completing ‘vacation days’ in Oxford. Applications for Hilary Term’s appointed positions will open in 5th Week, and will be advertised on the Oxford Union Facebook page

theoxfordunion 94

@oxfordunion

and mailing list. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis. Please contact the PresidentElect, Molly Mantle, 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, simply email the relevant committee chair (detailed overleaf), to find out more. THE UNION BAR, LIBRARY, AND BUILDINGS We are delighted to continue the re-opening of our buildings. We are still able to serve our high-quality drinks and cocktails at low prices for our members. The Library and main building are now open to members. PRESIDENT’S OPEN HOURS The President, Chengkai Xie, 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. ACCESSIBLE PASS POLICY Our updated Accessible Pass Policy can be found on our website, under ‘Rules and Policies’, along with the requisite form to register for an accessible pass. If there are any issues, please contact the General Office, at enquiries@ oxford-union.org, or Amber Warner-Warr, the CCC, at ccc@oxford-union.org.

oxfordunion

@theoxfordunion

oxford-union.org

INFORMATION

Library

The Members’ Bar

Our well-stocked and spacious Old Library is open to all members. It is adorned with some of the world’s most famous Pre-Raphaelite murals, painted by artists including William Morris and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The adjoining Poetry Room is a hidden gem, perfectly quiet for independent study. There are a number of other study spaces including the Gladstone, Macmillan, Morris, and TV Rooms.

Few places in Oxford boast the comfort and affordability of our Members’ Bar. Perfect for a quiet coffee, a light lunch, or an evening drink, it is a place where members and their guests can enjoy high quality food and beverages at student prices, with a 25% members’ only discount.

Term time hours are Monday to Friday, 9:45am to 4:30pm. Please email library@ oxford-union.org with any questions. The Librarian’s Book Club Tuesdays, 2:15 PM The Librarian’s Book Club is a new initiative that aims to facilitate daring and insightful conversations. Meeting weekly, members will have the chance to discuss assigned writings with fellow book-lovers and suggest future authors and texts. Spaces are limited each week - please sign up by emailing Michael at librarian@oxfordunion.org.

The Members’ Bar is decorated with memorabilia from past guests, and you never know which of our speakers might choose to drop by whilst visiting the Union. Following each Main Debate, after everyone has left the Chamber, the President will read out the result of the vote in the Bar. Our House Manager, Scott, would be happy to hear from members with questions and suggestions and can be reached at housemanager@oxford-union.org. Term time opening hours (subject to demand): Mon-Wed: 10:00 – 00:00 Thurs-Sat: 10:00 – 02:00 Our lunch menu is served: Mon-Fri: 11:30 – 14:30

INFORMATION

The Oxford Union Committee

President Chengkai Xie Brasenose College

Librarian Michael-Akolade Ayodeji University College

Treasurer Arjun Bhardwaj Corpus Christi College

Secretary Ananya Chowdhury Pembroke College

President-Elect Molly Mantle St Hugh’s College

Librarian-Elect Rachel Ojo University College

Treasurer-Elect Ahmad Nawaz Lady Margaret Hall

CCC Amber Warner-Warr Regent’s Park College

Standing Committee

Charlie Mackintosh New College

Manuel Fieber St Hugh’s College

Ambika Seghal Lincoln College

Theo Sergiou Keble College

Naman Gupta Merton College

Secretary’s Committee

Jennifer Jackson Christ Church

Joshua Chima Mansfield College 96

Chibugo Okafor New College

Matt Barrett St John’s College

Maddy Colbourn Keble College

James Bromfield St Hilda’s College

Lucy Banks New College

Jacobus Petersen Ahmed Abdul-Majeed Alex Fish St Peter’s College Pembroke College Hertford College

Matt Jarvis St Edmund’s Hall

INFORMATION

Appointed Committee & Staff

Development Officer Amy Gregg Exeter College

Chief of Staff Patrick Cole Lady Margaret Hall

Returning Officer CDSC Director of Research Director of Operations Internal Review Officer Director of Membership Junior Access Officer Disability Officer International Officer LGBTQIA+ Officer Temporary Membership Officer Women’s Officer Press and Sponsorship Officers Guest Liasion Officers First Gentleman First Lady Graphic Design

STAFF

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

Director of Press Sharon Chau University College

Director of Communications Daniel-Paul Osahon Balliol College

Senior Access Officer Laura Smith St Anne’s College

Jamie Bowden Andrew Chen Darian Murray-Griffiths William Feasey Otto Barrow Diego Mata Ethan Dodd Donna Han Simon van Teutem Alfred Dry Anvee Bhutani Larissa Koerber Keelan Daye, Geoffrey Cheng, Tanvi Kanchinadam, Anjali Ramanathan, Daniel Dipper Lucas Hooper, Lucie de Gentile Billy Martyn Julia Hussain Maria Lambert, www.graphicsbymaria.co.uk

Michèle Smith and Mark Herbert Scott Chamberlain Thomas Corrick Joanne Morgan Rob Phillips

TRUSTEES

Tim Myatt Hon. Peter Jay Stephen Dixon Dr Jeya Wilson

Chief Mouser to the President’s Office Donald 97

Having run two elections to get here, I am not short of words to thank everyone who has stood by my side. Being the head of the Union over a turbulent summer of changes, I Hope I’ve wiped the Slate Clean. To Michèle, Victoria, Tim, and Sean, you are my rock. To the staff, old and new, for making my life easy. To my committee, everything you’ve done has made a difference. To MAA, AB, AC and LPS, for your patience. To WFF and PC, for your dedication. I would not have produced this card without the toil of AEJG and AWW - my loyalty is all yours for the unwavering faith you placed in me. None other than SZ should be blamed for getting me involved in the first place - I have tried not to let you down. To MI, AB, and HK, you tolerate me more than I deserve. That winter was not a Bridge to nowhere. To the many before me who have been generous with their wisdom - Roble for his companionship, Price for his mentorship, and Li for charting the way for me to realise this dream - I owe a debt of gratitude to all of you. To the main characters in my life, JH and KA, my world would not be the same without you. To AH, for keeping me grounded. To KW and AG, for giving me a second home outside this place. To JS and VS, for the friendship that started but did not end with the Union. To BW and NS, for inspiring me to be my better self. To ZF, DN, and EP, for always cheering me on from the sidelines. To WL, MR, MS, we will meet again. To friends back home - CD, KS, MP, TDS, for your warmest welcome on day one. To B, for him being more myself than I am, whatever our souls are made of. Finally, to my parents, my grandparents, and my family who have always had my back, for your love and patience - I hope I have made you proud. Every man dies. But not everyone lives. I dedicated the three liveliest years of my life to Oxford. I produce this term card to share these years’ tears and joy. I do so with no regrets, but with enormous and enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the Society I love.

Events Subject to Change Without Notice

TERM PLANNER Sunday

WEEK

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Monday

OCT 3

OCT 4

OCT 10

OCT 11

Student Essentials Fair

OCT 17

Joe Lonsdale: 17:00

OCT 24

OCT 31

Partnership for a Net Zero Future

Vino & Vinyasa: 18:00

NOV 14

NOV 21

NOV 28

Drag Show: 20:00

OCT 5

Levison Wood: 17:00 OCT 12

We OCT 6

Arthur Laffe

OCT 13

Beatrice Fihn: 17:00 Pub Quiz: 20:00

David Gergen (Online): 17:00 Jerry Yang (Online): 20:00 OCT 19

OCT 20

Kai-Fu Lee (Online): 09:00

Carol Queen (Online): 17:00

Net Zero Pa

OCT 25

OCT 26

OCT 27

OCT 18

TOAD Gin Tasting: 20:00

Holocaust Panel: 17:00 NOV 1

Svetlana Tsikhanouskaya: 17:00 NOV 7

Tuesday

Pub Quiz: 20:00

Carole Baskin (Online): 20:00

Edwin Catmull (Online): 20:00

NOV 2

Jocelyn Bell Burnell: 17:00

Bryan Cran

Law Panel:

Jameela Ja

NOV 3

Michael Ea

NOV 9

NOV 10

Nadine Burke Harris: 20:00

God Head-to-Head: 17:00 Sport Panel: 20:00

China Head

NOV 16

NOV 17

Danny Sriskandarajah: 17:00

George Takei: 17:00

Daniel Han

NOV 22

NOV 23

NOV 24

NOV 8

NOV 15

Prime Minister Panel: 20:00

Chris Wallace: 20:00

Lord Rowan

TOAD Gin T

Musical Me

Olivia Newton-John (Online): 17:00 Jenny Packham: 17:00

H.E. Paula-

NOV 29

DEC 1

Louise Richardson V-C: 20:00

Lord Jeffrey Archer: 20:00 NOV 30

Kate & Helen Richardson-Walsh: 20:00 Human Security Panel: 17:00

Pub Quiz: 20:00

Elise Christie: 20:00

H.E. Dr Zom

Marco Bert

Eddie Hear

Events subject to change without notice

Debates

ednesday

er (Online): 17:00

anel: 17:00

nston: 20:00

Special Events

Thursday OCT 8

OCT 14

OCT 15

No Confidence Debate: 20:30

Wine & Cheese Night: 20:00

OCT 21

Liberty Debate: 20:30 OCT 28

amil (Online): 20:00 US Debate: 20:30

n Williams: 17:00

d-to-Head: 20:00

Tasting: 20:00

ndler: 17:00

ercredi: 20:00

NOV 4

Social Justice Debate: 20:30 NOV 11

tacca: 17:00

rn: 20:00

OCT 22

Azra Jafari (Online): 17:00

Saturday OCT 9

Student Essentials Fair OCT 16

OCT 23

Karaoke Night: 19:00

Comedy Night: 20:00

Compassion Panel: 19:00

Oxtoberfest: 19:00

OCT 29

NOV 5

OCT 30

NOV 6

Brian Cox: 17:00

Chinese Wine Tasting: 20:00 NOV 12

NOV 13

Julian Casablancas: 20:00

NOV 18

NOV 19

Meritocracy Debate: 20:30

Julie K. Brown (Online): 17:00 OxMas Soirée: 20:00

NOV 25

Beyond Meat Debate: 20:30 DEC 2

PPE Debate: 20:30

Other

Stacey Plaskett (Online): 20:00 Ball Ticket Release: 13:00

Ambassador Dobriansky: 17:00 MOULIN ROUGE BALL Big Tech Debate: 20:30

-Mae Weekes: 17:00 Jordan Peterson: 17:00

mlot: 20:00

Socials

Friday

OCT 7

: 17:00

avis: 20:00

Speakers

NOV 20

Kevin Bacon (Online): 17:00

NOV 26

UNION ELECTION DEC 3

NOV 27

DEC 4

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