Festival of Politics | 18th - 22nd August 2009 |
Wednesday 19 August
The Politics of Festival
11.00 (12.00) Committee Room 1 FREE*
The Politics of Festival examines the politics that surround and suffuse festivals, and how festivals interact with the world of politics. Politicians provide material and a target for artists and performers; funding for festivals is a recurrent subject of political debate, with politicians looking to festivals to deliver social and economic as well as cultural benefits; the political focus on festivals is sometimes welcome, sometimes not; and then there are the internal politics of festivals… Chaired by Cathy Peattie MSP. Participants include Chris Barrter, Unison Communications Officer Scotland, Ruth Wishart , The Herald, Nancy Nicolson, The Grey Coast Theatre Company, Tommy Sheppard, Director of Stand Comedy Club/Scottish Comedy Agency.
In association with the Cross-Party Group on Culture and Media.
Europe’s Parliament – Early Hopes and New Ambitions
11.00 (12.00) Committee Room 3 FREE*
2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the first direct elections to the European Parliament. These 30 years have seen great changes in the relationships between Scotland and Westminster, and between Scotland and Strasbourg. In this discussion two veterans of the original 1979 intake recall their early hopes and objectives, and compare them with the aspirations of two members taking their seats after this year’s European elections. How much progress has been made? And what remains to be achieved? Chaired by Brian Taylor, Poltical Editor, BBC Scotland, participants include Dr Winnie Ewing, John Purvis, Catherine Stihler MEP, George Lyon MEP.
In association with The European Movement and The European Parliament Office in Scotland.
Scotland, Diaspora and Empire: Exploring the Impact
13.00 (14.00) Main Chamber – £6.00 (£3.50) Book in advance
Recent research has confirmed the remarkable extent of Scottish impact upon the world’s greatest ever territorial empire at all levels of trade, administration, education, culture, religion and much else. Join celebrated historian and author, Professor Tom Devine, in a lecture that will describe how our small country helped to mould several new nations across the globe, before then exploring why the Scots have had such a remarkable influence on world development. Chaired by Alasdair Morgan MSP, Deputy Presiding Officer.
In association with The University of Edinburgh’s Scottish Centre for Diaspora Studies.
Facebook – The New Democratic Forum?
15.00 (16.00) Committee Room 1 FREE*
The Law Society of Scotland, in its 60th year, in conversation with YoungScot will ask how can the Scottish Parliament, lawyers and public work together to ensure that law making, education and practice are as effective as they can be? Is new media, for example, the way forward? How could it improve engagement in the democratic process? Chaired by Michael Clancy, Law Society of Scotland. Participants include Calum Howe, Law Society of Scotland, Siobhan Graham, Young Scot.
In association with The Law Society of Scotland.
Book Facebook – The New Democratic Forum? online
Carbon Neutral – Learning Lessons from China’s Eco-cities
15.00 (16.00) Committee Room 3 FREE*
Combating climate change will only realistically be achieved through individual changes in lifestyle. Increasingly, the move towards carbon-neutral living is driving the development of “eco-cities”. China is already pioneering such initiatives, with British firm Arup employed to deliver an eco-city in Dongtan. With London also expressing interest in the initiative, how might Scotland too become involved? Chaired by Tom McCabe MSP. Participants include Jim McKinnon, Peter Budd, Arup.
In association with the Cross-Party Group on China.
*Tickets available in advance (subject to a booking fee) or on the day
