WELCOME Lent term offers opportunities for new beginnings in Cambridge; for freshers it is a chance to make new friends after discovering the people they clung to in freshers week are actually quite boring. For second years it offers the opportunity to work harder, and leave behind the indolence of Michaelmas. For finalists there is one last chance to enjoy life before dreaded exams. Lent, far from being abstinent, offers opportunities to indulge. And the Union this term is no different...
The Union’s commitment to free speech goes beyond simply hosting controversial speakers, though it is of course important to do that, the Union’s commitment must be to free speech abroad as well as at home. I am deeply proud that we will be honouring those who are taking part in a global movements for free speech, democracy and human rights. Beyond this we continue in our commitment to bringing you the speakers who shape our world, from finance, journalism, music and drama. Our panels, too, show this commitment, with exciting opportunities, such as to meet the women shaping our university life as heads of colleges.
Here at the Union we will encourage you to ignore the piling deadlines, and to waste time in good and new company. Debates are at the heart of what we do, and this term is no exception. We will be debating something old (the Monarchy), something new (New Labour), something borrowed (Hong Kong) and something that makes us all feel decidedly blue (climate change).
We are also collaborating with those from beyond this society, including the Wilberforce Society, who are hosting their annual conference here, and the Cambridge Review of Books, as well as PakSoc and the Majlis.
On top of these debates we will also challenge two venerable institutions of Cambridge: the Footlights and the Union, offering opportunities for everybody to be embarrassed. Most excitingly we will be having a literary debate for the first time in my knowledge. That said, nobody at the Union has any institutional memory so this isn’t saying very much. Nonetheless, for us it is exciting and new to see the Union stepping up to the cultural plate and debating more than just politics. Indeed an additional classical debate has been added last minute to our repertoire this term, asking again a question first debated over 2000 years ago; which is the greatest: Athens or Sparta?
We also have social events galore; our redevelopment sadly means a ball is not possible, but we are nonetheless going to have fortnightly ice cream, and Sunday mornings at the Union; an opportunity to read the papers, eat some pastries and have a cuppa. There will be time for meditation, and cocktails, and a salon - truly everything is on offer. The Union is a club; it is your club. And you should feel at home here, whatever level of involvement you want. Please enjoy the myriad things on offer this term, if you don’t, then don’t worry. There’s a suggestion box in the lobby.
In terms of our other speakers there is a focus this term on international human rights. Ban-ki Moon and Tawakkol Karman will be coming to speak, and we will be giving honorary membership to Martin Lee.
Lots of love,
Gabriel Barton-Singer President, Lent 2020 3