The Cambridge Union | In Conversation With...

The Rt Hon Ali Sabry speaks in the Debating Chamber at 5pm on Tuesday 23rd January 2024. ............................................................................................................................ Thumbnail Photographer: XXXXXXXXXXXX ............................................................................................................................ Mr. Ali Sabry was appointed as Minister of Justice of Sri Lanka. Upon taking office, The Minister's justice sector reform programme is currently in the process of amending and introducing over 100 laws. In 2021, Mr. Ali Sabry was invited to speak at an event at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in recognition of his efforts at reforming the Sri Lankan justice sector. Mr Sabry was appointed Finance minister in 2022. As the Finance Minister he headed the Sri Lankan delegation comprising of aficials from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the Ministry o' Finance to Washington D.C. USA for key negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. Mr Sabry is now the incumbent Minister fo Foreign Affairs. ............................................................................................................................ SUBSCRIBE for more speakers: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClOuePXlJnw8-br7SXiuHqg ............................................................................................................................ Connect with us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCambridgeUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambridgeunion Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambridgeunion LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-union-society

Thursday 25th January 2024 at 8:00pm in the Debating Chamber. Following an intense atomic race between Nazi Germany and America, the Second World War ended in an atomic cloud of ash and glass.   Through the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan capitulated to America, and an intense atomic race kicked off between the Soviet Union and the United States. Yet millions did not die in a war between the USSR and the USA; despite a 40-year duel, the USSR dissolved without war. Fukyama's dream did not come true; however, history has not ended, and nuclear proliferation with a rising China, an unstable USA and a recalcitrant Russia, the thin balance between deterrence and annihilation is once again on show.   Are nuclear weapons preventing direct conflict between superpowers and saving us from the fate of those in the 1910s or 30s, or are we sleepwalking towards atomic annihilation?   ............................................................................................................................   Thumbnail Photographer: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX   ............................................................................................................................   Proposition:   PROFESSOR HEW STRACHAN   Professor Hew Strachan is a noted military historian and scholar, as well as a fellow of the British Society and the British Academy. A long-time professor both at Oxford and now at St Andrew's, Professor Strachan's main work has concentrated on the First World War, but he has written on an extensive range of military historical subjects, including on the Napoleonic Wars and Waterloo.   PROFESSOR PAUL SCHULTE   Paul Schulte is a nonresident senior associate in the Carnegie Nuclear Policy Program and at Carnegie Europe, where his research focuses on the future of deterrence, nuclear strategy, nuclear nonproliferation, cyber security, and their political implications. He previously served as director of proliferation and arms control for the UK Ministry of Defence, and as UK commissioner on the UN commissions for Iraqi disarmament, UNSCOM and UNMOVIC.   TOM PATE   Tom Pate is a third year student readin History at King’s College. He is the Chairman of the Cambridge University Conservative Association for Lent Term. He won the right to speak through process of audition.         Opposition:   WARD WILSON   Ward Wilson is a Senior Fellow and director of the Rethinking Nuclear Weapons project at the British American Security Information Council (BASIC), a think tank focusing on nuclear disarmament. Mr Wilson has worked extensively with the United Nations to highlight risks of nuclear conflict, including through his book, Five Myths About Nuclear Weapons, which was published to widespread acclaim in 2013.   FLORIAN EBLENKAMP   Florian Eblenkamp is the advocacy officer for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, a group that won the Noble Peace Prize in 2017. With an academic background in complex statistics, Mr Eblenkamp has worked throughout his life on campaigning for the abolition of nuclear weaponry, including advocacy at the European Commission.   REBECCA JOHNSON   Rebecca Johnson has been a lifelong campaigner against nuclear weapons. A member of the Greenham Common Camp which protested nuclear weapons in the 1980s, Ms Johnson has devoted her life to opposing nuclear weaponry, including by founding the Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy and co-founding the International Campaign to Abolish nuclear weapons. She is also an author on the threats of nuclear weaponry.    ............................................................................................................................  Connect with us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCambridgeUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambridgeunion Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambridgeunion LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-union-society

This debate took place on Thursday 18th January 2024 at 8:00pm in the Debating Chamber.   The United Kingdom faces a bitter general election this year, 5 years after losses in working class areas doomed Labour to its worst result since 1935. Currently leading the polls is Labour, led by Keir Starmer, aggressively moderating the stance of the party and even suspending its former leader, Corbyn, has greatly improved the poll standing and is broadly tipped to win.   But this approach has not been without its consequences, with many accusing Labour of failing to represent workers on picket lines as NHS workers go on strike or abandoning its key ideological principles. Adding to these difficulties, working class voters, who the Tories carried by 15 points in 2019, may still be unpersuaded on key issues such as immigration.   With international surges for right wing parties among working class supporters from America to the Netherlands observed in recent year, can Labour still represent working class voters? Or has it sold out the working class for electability among the middle classes? ............................................................................................................................   Thumbnail Photographer: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX   ............................................................................................................................   Proposition:   MAYOR JAMIE DRISCOLL Jamie Driscoll is the current Mayor of the North of Tyne. Born and raised in a military and NHS background, Mayor Driscoll was elected tothe North of Tyne Combined Authority Mayoral Authority by twelve points in 2019. Since then, he has been a staunch advocate for the left of the Labour Party, declaring a climate emergency when he took office in the North of Tyne. In 2023, the Labour Party barred him from selection in the North East Mayoral Election; in response, Mayor Driscoll quit the Labour Party and is now running as an independent for the 2024 election.   MR ZACK POLANSKI Mr Zack Polanski was elected Deputy Leader of the Green Party in 2022. He also sits as a Green Member of the London Assembly. Mr Zack Polanski is a lifelong advocate on climate change, having attended COP26 as a delegate, proposed and passed a Climate and Ecological Emergency motion for London and helped to block Gatwick's expansion. Mr Polanski is also a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.   ISMAIL BENYAHIA Ismail Benyahia is a student speaker that won the right to speak through process of audition.     Opposition:   LORD GRIFFITHS DE BURY PORT Born in destitution in South Wales, Lord Grifiths was raised on benefits, gained degrees in English, Theology and History at Cardiff, Cambridge and SOAS. He also had a cameo career as an academic, fifty years a Methodist minister including President of the Methodist Conference. In addition to these many accomplishments, Lord Griffiths spent 10 years in Haiti as a broadcast and writer, and has sat for 20 years on the Labour benches in the House of Lords. He is also a delegate to the Council of Europe where he sits on its Migration Committee. He is married with three children.   SEBASTIAN TOPAN Sebastian Topan is a student speaker that won the right to speak through process of audition.   IOANNIS SKORDIS Ioannis Skordis is a student speaker that won the right to speak through process of audition.   ............................................................................................................................   SUBSCRIBE for more speakers: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClOuePXlJnw8-br7SXiuHqg   ............................................................................................................................   Connect with us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCambridgeUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambridgeunion Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambridgeunion LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-union-society

This panel event took place in the Keynes Library at 7:30pm on Friday 24th November 2023. Renowned author Hans Christian Anderson once wrote that when words fail, music speaks. This could not be more true today, with music being an avenue for important social and cultural commentary. This panel brings together some of the most critically acclaimed voices of Young Britain to examine the place of music and songwriting in contemporary Britain, and what it means to be an artist. From Alfie Templeman to Hope Tala and ENNY, these young artists are both the present and future of the British music scene ............................................................................................................................ Thumbnail Photographer: Reva Croft ............................................................................................................................ PANELISTS: Alfie Templeman Since releasing his debut single 'Like An Animal' in 2018, 20 year old Alfie Templeman has cemented his position as one of the most exciting artists of his generation. Entirely self-taught, he plays no less than eleven instruments, writing or co-writing all his own material. With over 350 million streams worldwide, Alfie's global appeal is growing every day. Hope Tala British-Jamaican storyteller and artist Hope Tala was born and raised in West London and first made waves with self-produced Soundcloud releases, beginning with 'Peace Freestyle' in 2016. Two singles on her third EP Girl Eats Sun (2020) have been featured on Barack Obama's renowned playlists, with the former opening the Gossip Girl reboot. ENNY BBC Sound of 2022 singer and rapper ENNY is a soulful, truth-talking lyricist of Nigerian heritage (London born and raised). Since her 2020 breakout single Peng Black Girls, she's graced the biggest global playlist covers. 'Pollen' (Spotify), racked up over 100m streams across her catalogue, and continued to become a mainstay presence across BBC Radio where she reached A-List at 1Xtra and B-List at Radio 1. ............................................................................................................................ SUBSCRIBE for more speakers: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClOuePXlJnw8-br7SXiuHqg ............................................................................................................................ Connect with us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCambridgeUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambridgeunion Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambridgeunion LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-union-society

Tom Aikens speaks in the Keynes Library at 3:00pm on Friday 24th November 2023. ............................................................................................................................ Thumbnail Photographer: Flo Tawns ............................................................................................................................ Tom Aikens Born in 1970 in Norwich, England, Aiken's culinary journey has been marked by creativity, passion, and an unwavering commitment to redefining the boundaries of fine dining. His journey to culinary stardom reached its pinnacle when, at the young age of 26, he became the youngest chef in the United Kingdom to earn two Michelin stars for his eponymous restaurant, "Tom Aikens." Aiken's culinary style is characterized by a profound respect for ingredients and a penchant for blending traditional techniques with modern innovation. His commitment to sustainable and locally sourced produce has not only influenced his own kitchens but has also set a broader example for the industry. Beyond his restaurants, Tom Aiken has shared his culinary expertise through television appearances, cookbooks, and as a mentor to aspiring chefs. His dedication to the craft of cooking and his pursuit of culinary excellence have earned him accolades and admiration worldwide. ............................................................................................................................ SUBSCRIBE for more speakers: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClOuePXlJnw8-br7SXiuHqg ............................................................................................................................ Connect with us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCambridgeUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambridgeunion Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambridgeunion LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-union-society

Caroline Calloway speaks in the Debating Chamber on Wednesday 22nd November 2023 at 8pm. ............................................................................................................................ Thumbnail Photographer: Flo Tawns ............................................................................................................................ Caroline Calloway rose to fame whilst studying History of Art at the University of Cambridge and became known as the ‘Gatsby of Cambridge’. She is the author of the 2023 best-selling and critically acclaimed memoir Scammer, the title of which references accusations of scamming she has received from critics and fans alike. ............................................................................................................................ SUBSCRIBE for more speakers: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClOuePXlJnw8-br7SXiuHqg ............................................................................................................................ Connect with us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCambridgeUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambridgeunion Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambridgeunion LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-union-society

This Panel took place in the Debating Chamber at 7:00pm on Saturday 7th October. Many of Modi's supporters argue his focus on 'India first' has resulted in economic growth and prosperity since his election in 2014. Yet others accuse his government of stirring up ethnic and religious divisions, restraining press freedom, and increasing crackdowns on dissent. By bringing together the voices of activists and academics, we ask what the path forward looks like for the world's most populous democracy. ............................................................................................................................ Thumbnail Photographer: Flo Tawns ............................................................................................................................ Panelists: Aakashi Bhatt Dr Aakashi Bhatt is the daughter of Mr Sanjiv Bhatt, a highly decorated former Indian Police Service officer who is the sole surviving witness to Narendra Modi's complicity in orchestrating the 2002 Gujarat pogrom. Dr Bhatt has testified before members of parliament in Australia, the United States and the European Parliament. Professor Nitasha Kaul Professor Nitasha Kaul is a multidisciplinary academic, novelist, economist, poet, and public intellectual. She holds a Chair in Politics, International Relations, and Critical Interdisciplinary Studies and is the Director of Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD), University of Westminster, London. Ashis Ray Ashis Ray is the longest serving Indian foreign correspondent. in 46 years he has worked for the BBC, CNN, the Ananda Bazar Group and The Times of India. He recently spent a year at St. Antony's College, Oxford as an academic visitor researching a decisive phase of the Indian freedom movement. He is the author of Laid to Rest: The Controversy over Subhas Chandra Bose's Death. ............................................................................................................................ SUBSCRIBE for more speakers: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClOuePXlJnw8-br7SXiuHqg ............................................................................................................................ Connect with us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCambridgeUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambridgeunion Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambridgeunion LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-union-society

This Panel took place in the Keynes Library at 6:30pm on Wednesday 4th October. The 'Being Class Act in Cambridge' panel is an attempt to showcase the experiences of staff and students at the University and examine whether Cambridge's reputation as an institution for the select few rings true today. We invited our panellists to discuss their experiences being from a Class Act background, their time at Cambridge, and how they believe the 'Cambridge Experience' can become more inclusive & equitable. ............................................................................................................................ Panellists: Dr Sean Holden Dr Sean Holden is University Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Technology, and Fellow and Director of Studies in Computer Science at Trinity College. He was the first person in his family to attend University. Jezz Brown Jezz Brown is a Finalist HSPS student and Learning and Development Director at the 93% Foundation. Coming from a working-class background, Jezz is passionate about issues of class & social mobility and ensuring greater diversity and inclusion at the University of Cambridge and in broader society. Fatima Zahra Yusuf Fatima Zahra Yusuf is a Second Year student reading HSPS at Lucy Cavendish College. Passionate about feminism, climate change, and improving political literacy, she wants to ensure Cambridge is an enclusive environment for students from a Class Act background. ............................................................................................................................ SUBSCRIBE for more speakers: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClOuePXlJnw8-br7SXiuHqg ............................................................................................................................ Connect with us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCambridgeUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambridgeunion Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambridgeunion LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-union-society

India WIlloughby speaks in the Keynes Library at 7:30pm on Monday 20th November, in aid of Trans Day of Remembrance. ............................................................................................................................ Thumbnail Photographer: Nordin Catic ............................................................................................................................ India Willoughby India Willoughby is a broadcaster and journalist, best-known for being the World's first transgender national ty newsreader - and ITV's first trans 'Loose Woman'. She's also been a housemate on Celebrity Big Brother - and appears on shows such as This Morning, Good Morning Britain and BBC Question Time. India is currently writing a book about her life. ............................................................................................................................ SUBSCRIBE for more speakers: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClOuePXlJnw8-br7SXiuHqg ............................................................................................................................ Connect with us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCambridgeUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambridgeunion Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambridgeunion LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-union-society

Sandi Toksvig speaks in the debating chamber on Sunday 5th November at 7:30pm. ................................................................................................................ Sandi Toksvig, a much-loved radio and television presenter, began her comedy career whilst at Girton College, Cambridge where she found time to write and perform in the first all-woman show at the Footlights as well as achieve a first-class degree. Since playing Ethel in the long-running Saturday-morning show Number 73, her career has included celebrated series such as QI, The Great British Bake Off, The Great Big Tiny Design Challenge, and The News Quiz. Much of Sandi’s time is devoted to writing. Her work includes more than 20 fiction and non-fiction books for children and adults. In 2019, she became president of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain. Sandi is an activist for gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. She received an OBE in 2014 and in 2015 she co-founded Britain’s newest political party, the Women’s Equality Party. Thumbnail Photographer: Nordin Catic .................................................................................................................. Connect with us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCambridgeUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cambridgeunion Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambridgeunion LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-union-society