Oxford Union Trinity 2015 Termcard

Olivia Merrett President

Welcome

Welcome back to Oxford for Trinity Term. Presidents often include some joke in their welcome about how they never expected to become President when they got involved in the Society. Perhaps more than any President before me, I’m able to say that I never expected to become your Trinity President, but, with the support of my Officers and this term’s committee, I am delighted to present to you the Trinity termcard to tempt you out of the library.

This academic year has seen significant changes to the rules of the Society, making your committee more accountable and elections more open. We have already started building on this progress over the vacation, and have introduced to the Union for the first time the roles of BME Officer, LGBTQIA+ Officer and Disabilities Officer. Working alongside our Access Officers and Women’s Officer, these roles aim to ensure that all members feel able to engage fully with the Society.

Accessibility also remains a priority and, this term, members will now have the opportunity to attend more Debate Dinners, Speaker Dinners and Speaker Drinks through open ballots than ever before. Ballot details will be released every week, so please take the opportunity to come along and make the most of your membership.

The Union is a Society that should be, first and foremost, for all of us that join as members, and, if you think something needs to be done differently, get involved.

You might surprise yourself – and everyone else – with what you can achieve.

Olivia Merrett President, Trinity 2015 St John’s College

Librarian’s Welcome

Treasurer’s Welcome

We can’t ignore it: the summer term is exam term. As your Librarian, it is my job to make sure you not only have a well-stocked and comfortable library to work in, but also a calendar of exciting and engaging events to distract you when you need a break.

Only a few weeks ago, I was honoured to find myself in the newfound and unexpected position of Treasurer. An ordinary member, having never held an elected position, I was determined to become involved, serve members, and help realise a brighter future – one of growth, equality, reform and development.

In the Librarian’s office, we have tried to ensure as varied a line-up as possible, from Oscarwinning actors to world leaders (and whatever Piers Morgan does these days). By continuing to build relationships with global charities, publishers and sports organisations, we are creating partnerships to deliver consistent, long-term benefits for the Society. Members rightfully expect the best and this is what we have aimed to deliver, both for this term and for those to come.

The Union and its Officers are here for the benefit of the members, so if you would like to join the highly influential and always competitive Library Committee, the real seat of power in the Union, or enquire about speaker events, drinks and dinners, which are now more accessible than ever through our ballot system, then feel free to contact me. librarian@oxford-union.org Stuart Webber Somerville College

04

This term, the Treasurer’s Office has been working extremely hard to raise sponsorship, achieving notable financial success. In charge of financing speakers, we are working tirelessly to bring the Treasurer’s Office to where it needs to be, having laid a solid foundation for creating long lasting relationships to ensure stability.

To increase accountability and ensure transparency, it’s now vital to look at how we can reform financial processes.

Before holding Office I had never utilised the ‘Treasurer’s Treats’ – go claim them; they’re sweet.

Finally, I urge you to get involved. Your skills and ideas are paramount to improving our Union. treasurer@oxford-union.org Zuleyka Shahin Balliol College

Secretary’s Welcome The Union is Oxford’s prime entertainment venue and, as your Secretary, it is my job to organise social events that keep your mind away from work.

This term, my team and I have organised a number of events. We hope to invite you all to enjoy ice cream and some summer drinks in the sunshine during our annual Garden Party. Also, there are many evening socials that are currently being planned; I promise to keep you up-todate.

The Union Bar will continue to provide some of the cheapest drinks in Oxford. Our traditional ‘Pub Quizzes’ will give every team a chance to win a prize of £100. General Election night is something that happens less often. On Thursday of 2nd Week, I hope to see many of you enjoying the Union’s fantastic facilities after the polls close.

For information on getting involved with the Wines and Spirits Committee, Trinity term’s social events or anything else, send me a nice email. secretary@oxford-union.org Nikolay Koshikov Exeter College

Termcard Contents Debates

4

Speakers

20

Panels & Conferences 48 Socials

53

Info

61

Who’s Who

70

Debates

01 02 03 04 05 06 07

MP

6

Sex Workers

8

Tobacco

10

Religion

12

Reparations

14

EU

16

Witty/Pretty

18

TWHEEE K O X4 FSOP RE D A KUENRI O N

This House Would

Never be an MP Thursday 30 April 2015 8.30pm

Russell Brand’s rallying cry for revolution, Ed Miliband’s sandwich struggles, and a series of MP scandals have arguably dented the public’s trust in their political representatives. In this landscape of political disillusionment, the only people we feel more sorry for than ourselves are perhaps the politicians who comprise it. With the General Election fast approaching, it is particularly relevant to debate this motion.

8

TRINITY

2015

David Aaronovitch

Proposition

David Aaranovitch is a prominent author and journalist, writing regularly for the Times.

An Orwell Prize winner in 2001, he is also Chairman of Index on Censorship.

Steve Punt Steve Punt is a writer, comedian and actor.

He is currently programme associate for Mock the Week and part of comedy double act Punt and Dennis with Hugh Dennis.

Dia Chakravarty

Opposition

Dia Chakravarty is the current Political Director of the Taxpayers’ Alliance. Prior to that, she served as Deputy Director of The Freedom Association.

Baroness Randerson Baroness Randerson is the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales, a position she has held since 2012. She was the first female Welsh Liberal Democrat to hold Ministerial Office in Westminster.

9

THE OXFORD UNION

This House Embraces

Sex Work as a Career Choice Thursday 7 May 2015 8.30pm

Historically, sex work has failed to be regarded as a legitimate career choice in western liberal societies. Whilst many would argue that the stigmatisation of sex has led to the marginalisation of a population within society, others see the sex industry as one which profits from exploitation and the objectification of human bodies. Should sex work be regarded as having the same value as more ‘traditional’ or ‘conventional’ professions?

10

TRINITY 2015

Diane Duke Diane Duke is the primary spokesperson for the Free Speech Coalition; a trade association for the adult entertainment industry which opposes obscenity laws.

Fabian Thylmann

Proposition

Fabian Thylmann is the founder of the adult entertainment conglomerate Manwin, owner of Pornhub. He was a Managing Partner of Manwin until his sale of the business in 2013.

Catherine Stephens Catherine Stephens is a spokesperson and activist for the International Union of Sex Workers.

Dr Heather Brunskell-Evans Heather Brunskell-Evans is a social theorist and philosopher and a founding member of Resist Porn Culture, which is dedicated to resisting the pornography industry and the objectification of women in popular culture.

Dr Finn MacKay

Opposition

Finn MacKay is the founder of London Feminist Network and author of Radical Feminism in which she sets out a feminist manifesto for the 21st Century.

Sarah O’Brien Sarah O’Brien is a solicitor with 18 years’ experience in New Zealand and Scotland.

She is a trustee of Stop Demand, a charity working for a world without the sex industry.

11

THE OXFORD UNION

This House Believes

The Tobacco Industry is Morally Reprehensible Thursday 14 May 2015 8.30pm Each year, more than six million customers of the tobacco industry around the world die from smoking. In the UK alone, 100,000 people lose their lives annually from the world’s biggest cause of preventable death. This debate seeks to explore and assess the view that tobacco companies – who ostensibly operate in a legitimate, legal and responsible industry – should be treated as pariahs.

12

TRINITY 2015

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff

Proposition

Baroness Finlay is Professor of Palliative Medicine and a Crossbench member of the House of Lords. She proposed the bill to ban smoking in public places in Wales, and is the Vice-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health.

Professor Gerard Hastings Gerard Hastings founded the Centre for Tobacco Control Research. He has been a Special Advisor to the House of Commons Health Select Committee during its enquiry into tobacco, and has been an expert witness in litigation against the tobacco industry.

Mark Littlewood

Opposition

Mark Littlewood is the Director General of the Institute of Economic Affairs, and regularly speaks out against regulation of the tobacco industry. He was previously the Director of Liberal Vision and Chief Press Spokesman for the Liberal Democrats.

Simon Clark Simon Clark is the current Director of Forest, the UK’s leading anti-tobacco control pressure group, and founder of the Free Society campaign.

13

THE OXFORD UNION

This House Would

End the State’s Preferential Treatment of Religion Thursday 21 May 2015 8.30pm

The relationship between secularism and religious faith is at its most strained in recent history. This is not at heart a debate about the reasoning behind religion; running deeper, it questions whether or not the existence of religious schools, the monarch as a religious figurehead, the charitable status of religious institutions, and legal exemptions from gay marriage are fundamentally justified in a modern, secular age.

14

TRINITY 2015

A.C. Grayling

Proposition

A.C. Grayling is a prominent philosopher and founder of New College of the Humanities. He is often described as the Fifth Horseman of New Atheism.

Anne Marie Waters Anne Marie Waters is a member of the Council of the National Secular Society and former co-Director of One Law for All. She is also the founder of Sharia Watch UK.

Abdullah al Andalusi

Opposition

Abdullah al Andalusi is a public intellectual and activist for Islam and Muslim affairs.

He is the founder of the Muslim Debate Initiative, a public forum for political, religious and social debate.

Julian Brazier Julian Brazier was MP for Canterbury until the dissolution of Parliament. A practising Roman Catholic, he is a member of the Conservative Christian Fellowship and the traditionalist Cornerstone Group.

15

THE OXFORD UNION

This House Believes

Britain Owes Reparations to her Former Colonies Thursday 28 May 2015 8.30pm We have recently seen former colonies demanding reparations for centuries of abuse: from the Mau Mau survivors in Kenya to descendants of slaves in the Caribbean.

David Cameron made controversial remarks on the issue in Amritsar; William Hague said outright that there should be no post-colonial guilt; and Ken Livingstone gave a heartfelt apology for London’s role in the slave trade. Do Britain’s politicians owe more than just their words?

16

TRINITY 2015

Her Excellency, The Honourable Aloun Ndombet-Assamba A Jamaican lawyer, politician and diplomat, Aloun Ndombet-Assamba was formerly Minister of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture. She has served as Jamaica’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom since 2012.

Dr George Ayittey

Proposition

George Ayittey is a Ghanaian economist and author. The founder and President of the Free Africa Foundation, Foreign Policy has listed Ayittey as one of their ‘Top 100 Public Intellectuals.’

Dr Shashi Tharoor MP Shashi Tharoor is an Indian politician and award-winning writer. An MP, he is a former Under-Secretary General of the United Nations and came a close second in the 2006 elections for Secretary-General to Ban Ki-moon.

Sir Richard Ottaway Sir Richard Ottaway is a British politician.

He has previously been the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

William Roger Louis CBE FBA

Opposition

William Roger Louis is an American historian of the British Empire, the editor-in-chief of The Oxford History of the British Empire and the former President of the American Historical Association.

Professor John M. MacKenzie John M. MacKenzie is a British historian. He pioneered the study of popular and cultural imperialism and has edited the Manchester University Press Studies in Imperialism series since 1984.

17

THE OXFORD UNION

This House Believes

The European Union Should Do More to Further World Peace Thursday 4 June 2015 8.30pm

Few can deny that Europe has had a significant impact on every corner of the globe for centuries, and the EU is unique in the level of integration it has achieved between its member states. But has it made sufficient efforts to mitigate the problems posed by global instability? As a bastion of liberal democracy, should the EU be doing more for those living in less peaceful countries?

18

TRINITY 2015

Lord Hannay Lord Hannay is a veteran diplomat, having served as the UK’s Ambassador to both the EEC and the UN. He is currently Chair of the UN All-Party Parliamentary Group.

Jaqueline Minor

Proposition

Jacqueline Minor is the Head of Representation at the European Commission. She is responsible for representing the Commission and reporting to it for the whole of the UK.

Walid Saffour Walid Saffour is the President of the Syrian Human Rights Committee and is the current Ambassador to the UK from the moderate, anti-Assad National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces.

James Wharton

Opposition

James Wharton is one of the youngest Conservative Party Politicians, who attempted to formalise the party’s position on the EU through a Private Member’s Bill in 2013.

Naweed Khan Naweed Khan is the Director of New Direction, a prominent pan-European think tank affiliated with the European Conservatives and Reformists advocating for a reformed and decentralised EU.

19

TT H BE C OXFORD UNION

This House Would

Rather be Witty than Pretty Thursday 11 June 2015 8.30pm How many celebrities do you know that are ugly? In an age where beauty and the aesthetic are often preferred over substance, the question of what is valuable in this society has never been more important. Of course, the two are not mutually exclusive, but which would you rather?

20

TRINITY 2015

Kate Reardon Kate Reardon is the current editor of Tatler and former editor of Vanity Fair. She began her career at Vogue as its youngest ever fashion assistant and was previously Tatler’s youngest ever fashion director.

Katie Hopkins

Proposition

Katie Hopkins is a television personality best known for her frequent controversial comments to the media. She is currently a columnist for The Sun, and stood as an MEP in the 2009 European elections.

Ollie Locke Ollie Locke is a former Made in Chelsea star who now works as a presenter and male grooming expert. He has also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and has been a panelist on 8 Out of 10 Cats.

Gok Wan One of Britain’s most well known Fashion Consultants, Gok Wan is most famous for his groundbreaking series How to Look Good Naked. He has also worked internationally as a Fashion Consultant, and has been a fashion presenter for Royal Ascot.

Opposition

Norman Waterhouse Norman Waterhouse is an internationally renowned Harley Street plastic surgeon. He is a former President of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and a former President of the Royal Society of Medicine.

21

Speakers We’ve taken great care to ensure that, at the time of printing, all the times for invited guest speakers are accurate. However, one problem with inviting such interesting and influential speakers is that their schedules can change at short notice. If this happens during term, we apologise in advance and will do everything

we can to update you on any changes as soon as we are made aware of them. For any speakers listed as ‘To be Confirmed,’ we are still negotiating dates and times. We will ensure that as soon as we know a date for an event, we will pass that information on to our membership.

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08

First Week

22

Second Week

24

Third Week

25

Fourth Week

29

Fifth Week

34

Sixth Week

38

Seventh Week

39

Eighth Week

42

TBC

45

1ST WEEK

SPEAKER

Nicola Benedetti Nicola Benedetti is a professional violinist who will be performing live at the Oxford Union. She was a winner of BBC Young Musician of the Year aged 16 and has played with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Nicola will be playing for half of the event, accompanied by piano.

Monday 27 April 8.00pm

24

1ST WEEK

SPEAKER

Peter Thiel An American entrepreneur, Peter Thiel is the co-founder of Paypal, one of the world’s largest online payment companies, and Palantir, a software company. He is currently President of the global hedge fund Clarium Capital and sits on Facebook’s board of directors.

He is ranked on the 2011 Forbes 400 list with a net worth of $1.5 billion. He is the founder of the philanthropic Thiel Foundation.

Thursday 30 April 6.00pm

25

2ND WEEK SPEAKER

Mark Webber Mark Webber is a retired professional racing driver, who finished third in three Formula One Drivers’ Championships.

He completed more races than any other Australian driver, and achieved 42 podium finishes over his Formula One career. He is a former director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association.

Wednesday 6 May 8.00pm

26

3RD WEEK SPEAKER

Antony Jenkins Antony Jenkins is the Group Chief Executive of Barclays. Previously, he was Chief Executive of Barclays Retail and Business Banking, a position he held since November 2009. Antony is a member of the Board of Directors for the Institute of International Finance, Cranfield School of Management and Catalyst. He is the Chairman of Business in the Community and the Banking Environment Initiative, an International Advisory Panel member for the Money Authority of Singapore, and an advisor to the Acumen Fund.

He will be chairing a panel discussion with Professor Thomas Hellmann on the subject of Money Talks: Who is Responsible for Solving the Funding Gap Faced by Young Entrepreneurs?

Monday 11 May 6.00pm 27

3RD WEEK SPEAKER

Dynamo Steven Frayne is an award-winning magician, the star of Dynamo: Magician Impossible and winner of the Best Entertainment Programme award at the Broadcast Awards. He has performed for Samuel L. Jackson, One Direction, Will Smith and Robbie Williams, and has recently been promoted to Associate of the Inner Magic Circle.

Monday 11 May 8.00pm

28

3RD WEEK SPEAKER

Piers Morgan Piers vs Oxford Brats: No Holds Barred One of Britain’s most infamous journalists, Piers Morgan is currently working in the USA as the editor of the Mail Online, having previously edited The Sun, News of the World and the Daily Mirror. The former host of Piers Morgan Live on CNN, he has also been a judge on Britain’s Got Talent.

Tuesday 12 May 8.00pm

29

3RD WEEK SPEAKER

Hilary Swank Hilary Swank is an American actress and producer who has won two Academy Awards for Best Actress, best known for her roles in Million Dollar Baby and Boys Don’t Cry. Hilary will be speaking about her work in animal welfare, focussing in particular on her new charity, The Hilaroo Foundation.

Wednesday 13 May 8.00pm

30

4TH WEEK SPEAKER

Simon Armitage CBE Simon Armitage is a poet, playwright, novelist, travel writer, memoirist, broadcaster and song-lyricist who also writes extensively for television and radio. His works include Paper Aeroplane: Selected Poems 1989-2014 and his celebrated translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. His most recent play, The Last Days of Troy, was performed at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. This event is open to all members of the University.

Monday 18 May 8.00pm

31

4TH WEEK SPEAKER

Ivan Massow Ivan Massow is a British financial services entrepreneur, gay rights campaigner and media personality, who has also been involved in UK politics. He dropped out of school with one ‘O’ Level and set up Massow Financial Services, a company that specialised in offering financial services to gay people. He is also a former Chairman of the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, and is seeking the Conservative Party nomination for Mayor of London.

Tuesday 19 May 8.00pm 32

4TH

WEEK SPEAKER

Jacqueline Gold Jacqueline Gold is the CEO of Gold Group International, the parent company of Ann Summers and Knickerbox. Having done work experience at Ann Summers aged 19, she became CEO in 1987. She has since been voted the second Most Powerful Woman in Retail, and Barclays Bank recently named her as the Most Inspirational Businesswoman in the UK. Wednesday 20 May 5.00pm

33

4TH WEEK SPEAKER

Rodrigo y Gabriela Rodrigo y Gabriela are a Mexian acoustic guitar duo, most famous for their work on the soundtrack of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Puss in Boots, as well as for performing for President Obama in 2010. They started their career in Ireland where their self-titled album reached number one in the album charts. The duo will be performing.

Wednesday 20 May 8.00pm

34

4TH WEEK SPEAKER

Diane Kruger Diane Kruger is a German actress and former fashion model. She is best known for starring roles in films such as Troy, National Treasure, Inglourious Basterds, Mr Nobody and Unknown. She also starred as Detective Sonya Cross in the FX television crime drama series The Bridge.

Friday 22 May Time TBC 35

5TH WEEK SPEAKER

Bill Maher A legendary political satirist and comedian, Bill Maher is best known for his hosting of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher. He is a frequent commentator on various news networks, such as CNN, MSNBC and Fox News, as well as making the film Religulous in 2008 with Larry Charles, which sought to spoof religious extremism across the world.

He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010.

Monday 25 May 2.30pm 36

5TH WEEK SPEAKER

Rebiya Kadeer Rebiya Kadeer is a Chinese national businesswoman and political activist now living in exile. She held various positions in China’s Parliament until her arrest in 1999.

She was discharged to the USA in 2005 and, in 2006, was made President of the separatist Uyghur Congress.

Monday 25 May 8.00pm

37

5TH WEEK SPEAKER

Brian Lara Widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, Brian Lara has held numerous records throughout his career. Nicknamed ‘The Prince’, Lara famously scored 400 not out against England in 2004, and is the only batsman to score over 500 runs in a single first-class innings, against Durham in 1994. An inductee of the ICC Hall of Fame in 2012, Lara was also the face of the hugely popular Brian Lara Cricket video games.

Tuesday 26 May 8.00pm 38

5TH WEEK SPEAKER

Alexandra Shulman Alexandra Shulman is the editor-in-chief of British Vogue, and the longest serving editor in British Vogue history. She took the helm in 2002, and has presided over a circulation increase to 220,000 copies. She has previously written for the Sunday Times, Tatler and GQ; she was the editor of GQ from 1990.

Wednesday 27 May 8.00pm

39

6TH WEEK SPEAKER

HRH

Princess Michael of Kent HRH Princess Michael of Kent is a member of the British Royal Family, married to Prince Michael of Kent. She is an interior designer and author, and has published several books on the royal families of Europe. Her latest novel, Agnes Sorel: Mistress of Beauty, was published in 2014. She will be discussing her novels, mainly her critically-acclaimed series The Anjou Trilogy.

Tuesday 2 June 8.00pm 40

7TH WEEK SPEAKER

Deliciously Ella Ella Woodward is the creator of the cooking brand Deliciously Ella, which is dedicated to providing recipes for healthy, natural food.

She was diagnosed with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome, and started cooking as a means of dealing with its symptoms. She has since released a best-selling app, and has recently written her first cookbook. This event is being held in partnership with Blackwell’s.

Tuesday 9 June 8.00pm

41

7TH WEEK SPEAKER

Eric Whitacre Eric Whitacre is an American composer and conductor, best known for his choral, orchestral and wind ensemble music. In 2001, he became the youngest ever recipient of The Raymond C. Brock Commission.

His musical Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings earned him a Richard Rodgers award, and his later album Light and Gold received a Grammy for Best Choral Performance in 2012.

Wednesday 10 June 8.00pm 42

7TH WEEK SPEAKER

KISS Formed in 1973, KISS are one of the most successful and iconic bands in music history. They have 28 gold albums to date and have sold 40 million albums worldwide, with such hit songs as I Was Made for Loving You, and Rock and Roll All Nite. There will be a competition at the event to win four VIP tickets to the band’s performance at Download the day after, with details released closer to the date.

Saturday 13 June 1.00pm

43

8TH WEEK SPEAKER

Celia Imrie One of Britain’s most successful actresses in recent decades, Olivier-award winning actress Celia Imrie is best known for her appearances in Victoria Wood’s Acorn Antiques and the films Calendar Girls and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Monday 15 June Time TBC

44

8TH WEEK SPEAKER

D’banj D’banj is a Nigerian singer and businessman. He is one of Africa’s most successful musicians, with his many awards including an MTV Europe Music Award, BET Award, and World Music Award. He is most well known internationally for his 2012 single Oliver Twist, which was a top‑ten hit on the UK singles chart.

Wednesday 17 June 8.00pm

45

TT 8 BH C WEEK SPEAKER

His All Holiness

Bartholomew I Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch

Patriarch Bartholomew I is the 270th and current Archbishop of Constantinople, since 1991. He is the spiritual leader of the world’s 300 million Orthodox Christians. His tenure has been characterised by his desire to work with several other faiths, particularly in his attempts to rebuild Catholic-Orthodox relations. He is fluent in Classical Greek and Latin.

8th Week, Date TBC

46

TBC SPEAKER

Zac Goldsmith Zac Goldsmith is a British Conservative politician and journalist who was the MP for Richmond Park until the dissolution of Parliament. From 1998 to 2007, he was the editor of The Ecologist magazine, and he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Quality of Life Policy Group. In 2011, Goldsmith was joint winner of the inaugural BusinessGreen Politician of the Year Award, and was also given an award by The Patchwork Foundation for The Best Conservative Newcomer MP of the year in 2014.

Time and Date TBC 47

TBC SPEAKER

Lord Michael Dobbs Lord Dobbs is a British Conservative Politician, who is most wellknown for writing House of Cards for BBC in 1989; he is now the executive producer of the current Netflix version. A former Chief of Staff and Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party, he is also a best-selling author, having written Winston’s War, which was shortlisted for Channel 4 Political Book of the Year.

Time and Date TBC

48

TBC SPEAKER

Warwick Davis Warwick Davis is one of Britain’s most loved actors, best known for his roles in the Star Wars and Harry Potter franchises. He also played the lead role in the George Lucas film Willow, and more recently has starred in the BBC mockumentary Life’s Too Short. He will be speaking on behalf of the charity Scope.

Time and Date TBC

49

TBC SPEAKER

Alex Miller Alex Miller is the current Global Editor of VICE, overseeing content across Vice.com and the publication’s nine channels. Having started his career at NME, he has reported on everything from Israeli training on the frontline of the Gaza strip to the civilian risings in Venezuela, as well as investigating the corruption within FIFA and making clear the duties of journalists writing under the banner of free speech.

Date and Time TBC

50

THE

OXFORD

UNION

Panels & Conferences

Capitox Conference

52

Silicon Valley Debate

53

Oxford Africa Conference

54

CapItox Presents the annual

State of the markets conference 2015 Saturday of 3rd week Hosted by the oxford union

You can look forward to a day of speeches and panels featuring leaders in the commercial world, including top bankers, entrepreneurial CEOs, and famous lawyers. They'll be discussing topics at the cutting edge of business, and providing their expert thoughts on the future of the global economy.

A lucky few attendees will also be able to personally meet some of our esteemed speakers:

Michael Dobson CEO, Schroders Bob Hoyt General Counsel, Barclays John Llewellyn Former Global Chief Economist, Lehman Brothers Vivian Hunt Managing Partner, McKinsey Nick Hungerford CEO, Co-Founder, Nutmeg (Startup) Pinky Lilani OBE CEO, Spice Magic More speakers to be announced.

For tickets and more information visit www.stateofthemarkets-oxford.com

Silicon Valley Debate Sunday 17 May, 5.00pm ‘This house believes that humanity’s augmentation with technology creates a better world’ What does the age of augmented humanity mean for us? Are we ready to be super human?

Does the future of technology lie within artificial intelligence? Can we solve the world’s modern challenges and advance humanity through technology? Or will we ultimately lose control of ourselves and humanity? Will technological advancement lead to a world of haves and havenots? Are we in danger of becoming less human?

The SVCO 2015 Oxford Union debate will hear both sides of this topical and thought-provoking issue.

55

Oxford Africa Conference Sunday 17 May, 5.00pm The Oxford Union is proud to announce our partnership with the Oxford Africa Conference.

The Oxford Africa Conference is one of the largest and most globally recognized African conferences of its type organized by the long-established Oxford Africa Society in close partnership with the Oxford Africa Business network.

The event is a solely student-led initiative that convenes ~500 delegates and ~60 speakers on an annual basis. The upcoming conference will take place on 22nd and 23rd of May 2015 focusing on Africa as ‘A Continent on the Move: People, Politics and Business across borders’. It is aimed to provide a vibrant platform for new thinking about an international Africa across all disciplines – politics, business, arts, technology and academia – connecting intergenerational leaders from around the world to shape an integrated and innovative perspective on African issues.

Our conference will be opened by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, this year. Further speakers include: • Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings • Nkozana Moyo, Executive Chairman, Mandela Institute for Development Studies • Vera Songwe, Country Director for the World Bank • Ian Goldin, Director of the Oxford Martin School

56

Socials

Garden Party Social Saturday 30 May 2015 6.00pm – 8.00pm Smart Casual

Contacts: Ssuuna Golooba-Mutebi

ssuuna.golooba-mutebi@sjc.ox.ac.uk Noah Lachs noah.lachs@lincoln.ox.ac.uk 58

Election Night Social Thursday 7 May 10.30pm ‘til late The Members’ Bar

Contact: secretary@oxford-union.org

Pub Quizzes Wednesday 20 May and 3 June 9.00pm The Members’ Bar | £100 Cash Prize

58

Contact: secretary@oxford-union.org

supports The Oxford Union

Info

THE OXFORD UNION

How To Get Involved If you are interested in getting involved with the Oxford Union there are a number of ways to do so.

nominations is Friday of 6th Week. For more information contact the Returning Officer at ro@oxford-union.org.

Participate in Debates Debates are held in the Chamber (doors open at 7.30pm) on a range of subjects and are a great opportunity to challenge speakers and voice your opinions on topical issues. You can participate by giving a floor speech in the main debate after the penultimate speakers, or in the members-only Emergency Debate preceding the main debate (7.45pm). For those interested in honing their debating skills, debating workshops are held in the Union every Sunday at 6.30pm.

Attend Open Hour or Committees Got a burning question to ask the President? Want to see how decisions in the Union are made? The President will be holding an open hour from 2.00pm every Monday in the President’s Office where anyone can ask questions about the Union. All Committees on p64 are also open to members to attend and observe.

Run for Election All Officers and Committee members are elected by you – the members – on Friday of 7th Week. Aspiring Committee members are required to make a number of speeches depending on the position they are contesting. Nomination packs can be picked up in the General Office from mid-5th Week. The deadline for

Ballot for Dinners and Drinks Fancy meeting the Union’s speakers first-hand? Any member can enter into a random ballot for a place at a Debate Dinner, Speaker Dinner (when available) or a space at President’s Drinks after every Debate by e-mailing president@oxford-union.org before each event’s deadline. All floor speakers in the main debate are also invited to President’s Drinks.

62

62

Become a Best Friends member today.

Other ways to make a difference for animals near you: Adopt. Spay/neuter. Volunteer. Spread the word.

#SaveThemAll

bestfriends.org

THE OXFORD UNION

How The Union Works There are several meetings throughout the term to discuss the running of all aspects of the Union, from the day-to-day functions of the Bar and Library to proposed changes in the Society’s rules.

All meetings are open to all members and we encourage people to come to as many as they wish.

Standing Committee Chair – Olivia Merrett, President The Union’s governing body, which makes all major decisions concerning the running of the Society and oversees the work of all committees.

Mondays, 4.00pm, President’s Office Finance Committee Chair – Olivia Merrett, President Responsible for scrutinising termly, annual and event budgets, and reporting its findings to the Standing Committee.

Mondays, 3.00pm, President’s Office Consultative Committee Chair – Samual Billington, CCC A chance for members to question Officers and hear updates on upcoming events.

Mondays, 1.15pm, Gladstone Room Library Committee Chair – Stuart Webber, Librarian Responsible for choosing new library books and DVDs, and all other aspects of Library management.

Mondays, 2.15pm, Morris Room

64

Wines and Spirits Committee Chair – Nikolay Koshikov, Secretary Responsible for choosing and managing Bar stocks, setting Bar prices, and composing the budget.

Ad Hoc (twice termly) Debates Selection Committee Chair – Jamie Jackson, CDSC Responsible for organising internal competitions and selecting members to represent the Union at debating competitions.

Sundays, 5.00pm, Gladstone Room Access Committee Chairs – Oliver Quie & Claire Butler, Access Officers Responsible for the promotion of wider participation and engagement in the society.

Ad Hoc

TRINITY 2015

Competitive Debating While the Union is famous for its Thursday evening debates and speaker events, it still holds true to its roots, maintaining a strong competitive debating tradition. We pride ourselves on training some of the world’s best debaters. This year, Oxford reached the finals of both the European and World Universities Debating Championships, as well as winning several British inter-varsity competitions.

Competitive debating at Oxford also has an incredibly fun and inclusive atmosphere for members of any experience level or none. We send debaters and judges to competitions all over the country at no expense, with a novice quota for almost every tournament.

Our workshops run Sunday evenings of full term at 6.30pm in the main Union building.

We run two streams: Beginners sessions for those new to debating; these run for about an hour.

Next Step sessions for those who want to move further; these consist of a 15-minute session about an aspect of debating or a specific topic, followed by the opportunity to put your skills into practice.

All sessions are drop-in and you don’t need to commit in order to attend. Sunday workshops are open to all Union members as well as Oxford University students (you should bring your Union or Bod card).

To get involved, join the Debate Announce (DA) mailing list by emailing debateannounce- subscr ib e@mailli st . ox . ac .uk .

Weekly emails let you know what’s going on and how to apply to attend competitions.

This term the Baillie Gifford Oxford Women’s Open Debating Competition will also be taking place. Join the DA mailing list for more information.

Competitive debating is organised by the Debate Selection Committee (DSC) which usually meets Sundays of full term at 5.00pm in the Gladstone Room. The current members are Jamie Jackson (Chair), Chessy Whalen, Toby Tricks, Alpha Lee, Kate Brooks, Annie Williamson, Crash Wigley, Tommy Peto, and Olivia Merrett. Vacancies on the Committee arise periodically and are advertised on the DA mailing list, and filled by competitive debaters in accordance with Standing Order B12.

65

THE OXFORD UNION

The Library The Union has one of the largest lending libraries in the University and, unlike college libraries, boasts an extensive collection of fiction and travel books. Most of our collection is catalogued on SOLO. The Library also has most of your daily newspapers, subscribes to a number of magazines and has an impressive collection of DVDs. The Old Library is adorned with some of the world’s most famous Pre-Raphaelites murals, painted by artists including William Morris and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The adjoining Poetry Room is a true hidden gem, while the beautiful Goodman Library is open until 11.00pm daily. Our suggestions book can be found in the Old Library.

If you’re interested in getting involved in the running of the Library, contact Stuart Webber at librarian@ oxford-union.org about joining the Library Committee, which meets every Monday during term.

66

TRINITY 2015

The Bar Almost everyone who gives it a chance loves the Members’ Bar, and there are plenty of reasons to. With the 25% members’ discount, weekly special offers and debate night cocktails, it’s one of the cheapest in the centre of town. It’s also arguably the best situated, in our peaceful courtyard just off Cornmarket (and on the way to the clubs). It’s open longer and later than most college bars and pubs, and has a range of drinks and snacks to suit any time of day or night. What’s more, it’s just been refurbished, and has a widescreen TV and sound system.

More important than the actual bar are the people you’ll meet there; whether it’s chatting to one of your heroes, meeting new people, or catching up with friends. We’ll also be holding events there throughout the term, including the ever-popular Pub Quizzes.

Give it a go!

Term time opening hours: Mon – Wed, 10.00am until midnight Thurs – Sat, 10.00am until 2.00am Sun, 12.00pm – 10.30pm The Purple Turtle nightclub is open every night of the week until 3.00am, with free entry for all Union members.

The Union also has a Snooker Room that can be booked by members at the Bar. Rooms are available for private hire.

Contact: events@oxford-union.org

67

Treasurer’s Treats Art Café Ask La Croissanterie Duke of Cambridge Crêpes ‘O’ Mania EAT Formosan Tea Bar Fudge Kitchen Heroes The House Makan La Maxwell’s Modern Art Oxford Shop Modern Art Oxford Café Moo-Moo’s Nosebag Oxford Sandwich Company Raoul’s Ricardo’s Shanghai 30’s Sofi de France Tick Tock Café Ultimate Picture Palace Vaults & Garden Café

70

10% off 25% off Sunday – Thursday 20% off Happy Hour prices Sunday – Thursday 10% off Hot drink if you spend £5, and Double Stamps on loyalty cards (i.e. your 5th hot meal is free) 10% off (excluding speciality teas) 5 slices for £16 and 7 slices for £20 Spend £4 and get free cake; look out for weekly Union promos on the blackboard!

Happy Hour prices Sunday – Thursday 10% off 20% off food 20% off 10% off 10% off 10% off 10% off (excluding meal deals) 30% off between 4.00pm and 8.00pm Free hot drink with every baguette 25% off eat-in; 15% off take-away 15% off for >£3.50 spend, 20% off for >£20 spend 10% off 2 for 1 on Tuesday 10% off on everything before 12 and after 2pm, 20% off on late hot food after 2.30pm Monday – Friday

Social Media The Union’s social media is finally joining the 21st Century.

To stay updated with all of our exciting announcements and events throughout the term, as well as lots of exclusive content, make sure to ‘like’ and ‘follow’ us…

f T

The Oxford Union @OxfordUnion @theoxfordunion

71

THE OXFORD UNION

The Oxford Union Committee

President

Olivia Merrett St John’s College

Librarian Stuart Webber Somerville College

Treasurer Zuleyka Shahin Balliol College

Secretary Nikolay Koshikov Exeter College

Officers-Elect

President-Elect Charles Vaughan St John’s College

Librarian-Elect Robert Harris New College

72

Treasurer-Elect Verity Hubbard Lady Margaret Hall

TRINITY 2015

Standing Committee

Ssuuna Golooba-mutebi St John’s College

Niamh Coote Pembroke College

Kirsty Simkin Somerville College

Noah Lachs Lincoln College

David Browne Merton College

Secretary’s Committee

Henna Dattani Brasenose College

Sorrel Evans New College

Brenda Njiru Christ Church

Ryan Tang Pembroke College

Jonathan Tan Exeter College

Isaac Kang St Peter’s College

Tiphaine Ramenason Worcester College

Isaac Virchis Oriel College

Charlie Campbell Trinity College

Callum Tipple Hertford College

Ellen Clarke Jesus College

73

THE OXFORD UNION

Appointed Officials and Staff Chair of Consultative Committee Chiefs of Staff

BME Officer LGBTQIA+ Officer Women’s Officer

Samual Billington Michael Li Felicity Blackburn Michael Flagg Alexander Trafford Alys Key Daniel Valentine Oliver Quie Claire Butler Esther Odejimi Harry Samuels Lisa Bernhardt

Graduate Officer Brookes Officer International Officer SBS Liaison Officer

Jake Brockman Anne-Marie Grigorescu Josephine Liang Rishi Kartari

Returning Officer Director of Digital Strategy Press Officers Access Officers

Guest Liaison Officers

Senior Librarian Senior Treasurer Bursar Librarian-In-Charge House Manager Events Manager Accounts Manager Office Secretary Archivist Assistant Archivist Termcard and Graphic Designer Building Photography

74

Anna Bozzo, Sarah Bosworth, Sam Dayan, Tycho Onnasch, Ranulf Outhwaite, Ed Saunders, Ed Evans, Olivia Buckley, Hannah Clayton, Matt Rose, Cindy Yu, Michael Peterer, Alfie Shaw, Michael Doyle, Alexander Stoffell Sean Power Stephen Dixon Lindsey Warne Su Lockley Bridget Gaughan Nikki Wood Claire Norris Eleanor Taylor Graeme Hall Joseph Diwaker Craig Slade (www.craigslade.com) Barker Evans

Committee here