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President’s Welcome
Hello and welcome to the York Dialectic Union! I’m truly honoured to serve as your president this semester.
Having been part of the Union for three semesters now I’ve always admired how all our participants engage with ideas they might have never encountered. I am so proud to maintain a space where even the most challenging conversations can be had with respect and curiosity. In today’s political climate, this kind of dialogue is more important than ever.
This semester, I want to change the way a lot of us approach politics. I aim to broaden our debates beyond traditional narratives, embracing often-overlooked perspectives. I want to focus on traditional politics but through critical, postcolonial, and feminist lenses. By doing so, I hope to attract students from all disciplines, strengthening the Union’s spirit of intellectual diversity, inclusion, integrity, and community.
I can’t wait to embark on this journey with you all. Together with my irreplaceable committee I’m sure this semester will be one full of thought-provoking discussions and dialogue
BenedictaOwusu, PresidentoftheYDU
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Maria Loubenski, Director of Strategy & Outreach officer
Matthew Nichols, Wellbeing Officer
Dom Williams, President Emeritus
Kate Collins, Director of Communications
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Noakes, Social Secretary
Oscar Hilder, Outreach Officer
Zoe Mann, Outreach Officer
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The Debates.
Welcome to our Tuesday Evening Debates!
The evening starts with the President introducing a motion.
Speakers will present and oppose the motion by giving speeches and make closing statements, before the floor is opened to the audience.
Once the sides have made their cases, the audience is invited to participate with their own speeches and questions. To wrap up the evening, the audience will cast their votes on the motion where a result and swing is determined
Speakers at to change so some debates have biographies instead of confirmed speakers.
THW Willingly Fight for Their Country" asks whether people would volunteer to fight for their country in a time of war or conflict. Exploring the ideas of patriotism, personal duty, and the real reasons behind such a decision, we hope to raise questions about whether these choices are truly voluntary or influenced by societal pressures, government policies, or economic need.
With ongoing global conflicts, such as those in Ukraine or the Gaza Strip, and varying views on military service, the issue is at the forefront of ours, and the nation’s mind. Sparking important discussions about the balance between personal freedom and national duty, and the ethics of war and government decisions we hope you’ll join us for an evening on whether THW Willingly Fight for Their Country.
T H S L A B O U R’ S A G R I C U L T U R A L
Tuesday March4th
James Mills
Farmer and member of the National Farmers Association
Elliot Keck
Author and Head of Campaigns at the Taxpayers Alliance
Toby Lipatti-Mesme
Student speaker
Tom Haller Student speaker
T H H S E R I O U S C O N C E R N S A B O U T T H E R E L A T I O N S H I P
ch18th
Howard Zhang
Former BBC Chief China Editor
Sam Dunning
Director of UK-China transparency
The Dialectic union will be hosting a joint speaker address with Howard Zhang and Sam Dunning’.
Howard Zhang was former editor at the BBC's China service and is an renowned journalist and broadcaster specialising in contemporary Chinese history. Sam Dunning is the director of UK-China Transparency, an institution that seeks to investigate ties between the UK and China.
P U R P O S E
Y O R K S T U D E N T U N I O N I S F I T F O R
T H I S H O U S E B E L I E V E S T H E
Tuesday March 25th
The York Student Union serves as the voice and support system for students, advocating for their interests, enhancing their university experience, and fostering a sense of community.
One of its primary roles is representation and advocacy, acting as a bridge between students and the university administration. It campaigns on key issues such as tuition fees, mental health support, accommodation, and student rights while providing a democratic platform for students to express concerns and influence university policies.
This debate is an opportunity to critically examine the strengths and weaknesses of York Student Union. Some have critiqued the union for being a waste of financial resources
R E C O G N I T O N O F A P A L E S T I N I A N
T H S U P P O R T S T H E I M M E D I A T E
Tuesday April 24th
Iqbal Mohammed
MP for Dewesbury and Bately
Jacob Eriksson
Lecturer and Academic in the Politics Department
Journalist and broadcaster
Journalist and activist
Jacob Sacerdoti
Elon Perry
Tuesday May 1st
Philipp Koralus
Professor on Artificial Intelligence at Oxford University
Chris Firth
Professor at Oxford University
Paul Bentley Student at Imperial College London
Aldo Faisal
Professor at Imperial College London
T H A T T H E U K S H O U L D I M P L E M E N T P R O P O R T I O N A L R E P R E S E N T A T I O N Tuesday May6th
T
This House believes that the UK should implement proportional representation explores a topic that has existed in the heart of British politics for the better half of two decades. A fair and free electoral system is imperative for any healthy democracy.
The current use of first-past-the-post in the UK is said by some to create an unfair system where some voters are left voiceless. Whereas other warn against the shaky, unstable coalition governments that systems like Proportional representation make.
In this debate, we will explore whether the UK should adopt proportional representation, weighing fairness, political stability, voter engagement, and the overall impact on governance.
Speaker’s Addresses.
In addition to the intensity of our evening debates, The Union will also host speaker events.
These events will offer Union members an exceptional opportunity to hear from, engage with, and learn from individuals with compelling personal stories and expertise in unique fields. Each event will feature a speaker's address, followed by a panel discussion led by the event Chair. Once the Chair has asked their questions, the audience will have ample time to engage with the speaker directly.
The Union is always looking to expand its roster of speakers, so if you have suggestions or contacts, we encourage you to get involved and run for committee.
THE YORK DIALECTIC UNION PRESENTS
Andy Wigmore
Friday 28th of March
Andy Wigmore
Andy Wigmore came to give an address on UK/US relations post BREXIT and the rise of the Reform Party in the UK.
He spoke about the war with Ukraine, the design of the Oval Office, and of his impression of Donald Trump.
Wigmore works behind the scenes for Reform so gave interesting insights into the workings of a political party.
THE YORK DIALECTIC UNION PRESENTS
Professor
Sara De Jong
Tuesday 11th of March
Prof. Sara De Jong
Professor Sara De Jong is a renowned political researcher and activist, her work focuses on the overlooked experiences of political go-between, a term that refers to people that risk their lives in order to aide British and American soldiers during the War on Terror. Sara’s work focuses on the injured lives of Afghan interpreters and their mistreatment by Western governments.
Dominic Cummings THE YORK
DIALECTIC UNION PRESENTS
Tuesday 29 April th
Dominic Cummings
Dominic Cummings has served as a senior advisor to several key parliamentary officials, including Boris Johnson and Michael Gove. He will be delivering an address on his experiences working within the most delicate mechanisms of government and the reforms he believes should be implemented based on these experiences.
