The Cambridge Union | In Conversation With...

Stella Assange speaks in the Debating Chamber at 5pm on 3rd November. ......................................................................................................................... Thumbnail Photographer: Reva Croft ......................................................................................................................... Stella Assange Human Rights Advocate & Lawyer Stella has been a prominent figure in the international community, tirelessly campaigning for the protection of whistleblowers, journalists, and truth-seekers around the world. Stella's journey into the world of press freedom advocacy was profoundly shaped by Julian Assange, whose work at WikiLeaks in exposing government secrets and championing transparency ignited a global debate on the delicate balance between national security and public interest. Her involvement in the global press rights movement has brought her to the forefront of discussions at the United Nations, where she has passionately argued for the importance of press freedom as a cornerstone of democracy. In her role as an advocate for press rights, Stella has shed light on the plight of journalists and activists who face persecution and imprisonment for their courageous work. Stella's journey into the world of press freedom advocacy was profoundly shaped by Julian Assange, whose work at WikiLeaks in exposing government secrets and championing transparency ignited a global debate on the delicate balance between national security and public interest. Her involvement in the global press rights movement has brought her to the forefront of discussions at the United Nations, where she has passionately argued for the importance of press freedom as a cornerstone of democracy. In her role as an advocate for press rights, Stella has shed light on the plight of journalists and activists who face persecution and imprisonment for their courageous work. Thumbnail Photographer: XXXXXXXXXXXX ..................................................................................................................... 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

Olga Borisova speaks in the Debating Chamber on Friday 20th October 2023 at 6pm. ..................................................................................................................... Thumbnail Photographer: Jakob Schoser ..................................................................................................................... Olga Borisova, a founding member of the renowned Russian protest punk rock collective Pussy Riot, is a fearless activist and artistic visionary whose work has transcended boundaries, challenging societal norms and advocating for freedom of expression. Born on March 3, 1984, in Moscow, Russia, Olga's journey as a revolutionary artist and advocate has captured the world's attention. Her journey from Moscow's underground punk scene to global prominence as an advocate for human rights and artistic expression is a testament to her courage and commitment. Pussy Riot, a group known for its provocative performances and unapologetic critique of Russian politics and culture, became a global symbol of protest against oppressive regimes. Olga's contributions to the collective, including her powerful stage presence and vocal advocacy, have been instrumental in pushing for change in Russia and beyond. Olga's commitment to human rights and free speech has come at great personal cost. Her activism has led to multiple arrests, including the infamous trial and imprisonment following the group's performance at Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral in 2012. Her unwavering dedication to her beliefs and her willingness to endure hardship for the sake of her principles make her a true inspiration to activists worldwide. Beyond her activism with Pussy Riot, Olga is a prolific artist, using her talents to create thought-provoking and visually stunning works that continue to challenge societal norms. Her art serves as a medium through which she amplifies her message of resistance and change. As Olga Borisova takes the stage at the Cambridge Union, she will deliver an address that tackles important themes of art in protest, freedom of speech and dissidence in authoritarian regimes; making for a powerful and thought-provoking conversation. Her insights into the intersection of art, activism, and freedom of speech promise to ignite important discussions on these critical issues and inspire future generations of artists and activists alike. Olga Borisova's work and activism are a reminder that art can be a potent catalyst for social change, even in the face of adversity. ................................................................................................................... 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

In this special episode to celebrate his life, we look back at Sir Michael Parkinson's interview at the Union on the 20th of May 2009. Sir Michael was one of the greats of British television and his charm in our living rooms will be missed. This episode is a rare chance to hear him being the one answering questions.

Sam Altman accepts the 2023 Hawking Fellowship Award on behalf of the team behind OpenAI, discussing their journey in AI technology from GPT models to GPT4, focusing on ethics, consciousness in AI, user engagement, and breakthroughs toward artificial general intelligence.

Ben Shapiro speaks in the Debating Chamber at 8:00pm on 31st October 2023. Ben Shapiro is the co-founder and Editor Emeritus of The Daily Wire and host of The Ben Shapiro Show, the largest conservative podcast and radio show in the United States. Shapiro is the author of eight nonfiction books, including the #1 New York Times best-seller, The Right Side Of History: How Reason and Moral Purpose Made The West Great. .................................................................................................................. Dubbed as "a foe of extroadinary polemical agility" by The Washington Post, Shapiro became a nationally syndicated columnist at age 17 and is one of the the most requested speakers on college campuses across the US - despite facing violent opposition by protestors. He graduated UCLA with a bachelor in Political Science and then Harvard Law School in 2007, before marrying his wife in 2008. The two have been blessed with four children, including the youngest Shapiro bvorn in 2023. Thumbnail Photographer: Reva Croft .................................................................................................................. 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

Jojo Mehta speaks in the Keynes Lbrary at 6:30pm on 17th October 2023. This event was run in collaboration with CCS. .................................................................................................................... Jojo Mehta is Co-Founder & Executive Director of Stop Ecocide International. Ecocide refers to th mass damage and destruction of the natural living world, committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe damage to the environment caused by those acts. It literally means "killing one's home". Stop Ecocide International is driving the global cinversation on recognition of ecocide as an international crime and its potential for deterring destructive practices, protecting vital ecosystems and catalysing positive systems change. 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

Millie B speaks in the debating chamber on Tuesday 10th October 2023. ..................................................................................................................... Millie B gained popularity through the second Noisey documentary - Blackpool Grime: One Year On. Artist behind the most-used sound of all time on Tik Tok, her "M to the B" song has reached 40M streams on Spotify, 17M views on Youtube, countless millions of sound uses on tiktok and has gone viral four times, most recently with Kim Kardashian using the song for a post which currently sits at over 65M views. 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

Gina Miller speaks at the Cambridge Union Society on Tuesday 25th April 2023 at 6pm in the Debating Chamber. Gina Miller is a businesswoman, political activist and the leader of the True & Fair Party, which advocates for systemic reform in politics to strengthen accountability, transparency and ethics. She is also well-known for winning two high-profile constitutional legal battles against the UK government's attempts to bypass Parliament during the Brexit process: in 2016, challenging the government's invocation of Article 50 and, in 2019, opposing the prorogation of Parliament. Artwork & Photography by Nordin Catic

Baroness Dambisa Moyo speaks on 11th April 2023 at 17:30 in the Union Library. Baroness Moyo is an influential economist and businesswoman. She serves on the boards of 3M, Chevron and Conde Nast as well as the Oxford University Endowment investment committee. She is the author of five global bestsellers including Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa and Edge of Chaos: Why Democracy Is Failing to Deliver Economic Growth - and How to Fix It, as well as being a regular columnist in the WSJ and NYT. She was appointed to the House of Lords in 2022. She will be joined in conversation by Mohamed El-Erian. Dr El-Erian is the President of Queens' College Cambridge and formerly the CEO of investment management firm PIMCO, in addition to being a regular contributor to Bloomberg and the FT and the author of two NYT bestsellers. He is also the Chairman of Trustees of the Cambridge Union. This event will be preceded by a signing of Baroness Moyo's latest bestseller How Boards Work: And How They Can Work Better in a Chaotic World. Thumbnail Photo by: Nordin Catic

Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazović speaks in the Cambridge Union Library at 5pm on Thursday 27th April 2023. His Excellency Dr. Dritan Abazović has been the Prime Minister of Montenegro since 2022. Active in politics since his youth, impressively he is currently the third-youngest head of government in the world. Montenegro has excelled in foreign affairs in recent years, with a particularly vibrant tourism sector. Notably, it is a green and eco-friendly state by the constitution, an important step considering the imminent climate crisis. He is also an active academic, having published seven papers in national and international journals as well as two books, primarily in the field of political philosophy and international relations. He will undoubtedly provide an intellectually stimulating discussion on regional Balkan politics and Montenegro's role on the world stage. Artwork & Photography by Nordin Catic