Open For Debate

Academy of Ideas

We’re back! To mark the reopening of society, the Academy of Ideas is hosting a special day of debate in central London.

Church House

#OpenForDebate is the start of the Battle of Ideas festival’s LIVE events for 2021. We can’t let Covid continue to restrict the urgent need to debate. Society has sat on the couch waiting to hear the latest government pronouncements about what we are free or not free to do or say. Enough. We need to start initiating discussions on issues that matter, and grasp our freedom back. After so long in Lockdown, it’s time to start animating the public square and come together for face-to-face, lively conversations about key social, economic and political issues. For too long, opinions have been confined to Zoom events and social media spats. But nothing can replace the frisson of actually getting together to thrash out issues. The Academy of Ideas, along with our partner organisations, has decided to avoid programming any debates specifically related to the pandemic; there is more to life and politics than a virus and there will be plenty of time in the future to look at the short and long-term consequences of the past year and a half. There will be a reckoning, and at the full Battle of Ideas festival on the weekend 9 &amp; 10 October, we will do just that. But for now, let’s consider other issues that will shape what post-Lockdown society will look like. The Battle of Ideas festival model makes a virtue of audience participation. The speakers will frame their arguments to stimulate debate but then it’s over to YOU. If you are a free-thinker, inquisitive about ideas, open-minded, have opinions that you want to share – but are prepared to be challenged – come along. OUTLINE PROGRAMME10.15 – 10.45 Registration10.45 – 11.00 Welcome address11.00 – 12.30 Beyond Culture Wars: how to argue better in an age of conformity12.30 – 13.30 Lunch13.30 – 14.45 From Levelling Up to the Skills Bill: how do we achieve inclusive economic growth? 14.45 – 16.15 What does the Sewell Report mean for education?16.30 – 18.00 Free speech: how can we combat campus cancel culture?For full details of sessions and speakers, visit the <a href="https://www.battleofideas.org.uk/open-for-debate/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Battle of Ideas festival website</a>.

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Open For Debate

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Open For Debate

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