Online booking for this event has now closed. Tickets may still be available on the day at the Scottish Parliament
Thursday 25 August
Whose heritage, whose society?
10:30 - 12:00, Committee Room 1, FREE.
Can culture, in all its forms, help us to understand better Scotland's place in the world, as well as addressing the issues that face Scottish and global society? A panel of cultural commentators, academics and practitioners in the field of 21st century enlightenment will explore those themes in a highly interactive audience discussion. Chair Jan McDonald, Professor Emerita and honorary professorial research fellow at the University of Glasgow, is joined by Mark O'Neill, Director of Policy, Research and Development at Glasgow Life; Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive, Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce; Professor Neil Blain, Head of Film, Media & Journalism Department, Stirling University; and the playwright David Greig.
In association with British Council Scotland, the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, RSA UK, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and UNESCO UKNC Scotland Committee
Online booking for this event has now closed. Tickets may still be available on the day at the Scottish Parliament. 
Has the time come for quotas to achieve gender balance in our Parliament?
11:00 - 12:00, Room P1.02, FREE.
Of our 129 MSPs, only 45 are women. Although an increase on the 43 elected in 2007, it’s down from a high of 51 in 2003. The numbers conceal a worrying trend - there were fewer women candidates in 2011. Is it time for compulsory quotas in order to achieve gender balance in our political representation? Chaired by Dr Fiona Mackay, a political scientist at the University of Edinburgh and joined by panellists Nan Sloane, Director of the Centre for Women & Democracy; Sarah Boyack MSP; Clare Adamson MSP; and Liberal Democrat candidate, Katy Gordon.
In association with Engender and Women into Public Life (funded by the EU Regional Development Fund)
Online booking for this event has now closed. Tickets may still be available on the day at the Scottish Parliament
“a RIGHT blether” - the results
11:30 - 12:30, Committee Room 3, FREE.
In 2010, over 74,000 children and young people took part in “a RIGHT blether” to tell Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People (SCCYP) about the good things that were happening in their lives. This is an opportunity to hear more about the results of “a RIGHT blether” and a chance to talk directly to the Commissioner Tam Baillie and to the Acting Head of Participation and Education at SCCYP, Cathy Begley.
In association with Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People
Online booking for this event has now closed. Tickets may still be available on the day at the Scottish Parliament
Nighthawks
12:30 - 14:00, Members’ Restaurant, £6.00 (Concessions £3.50). Book in advance.
‘Nighthawks’ is a ‘slice of life’ drama about an eclectic group of people who frequent a cafe in a rundown part of town. The arrival of a stranger in their midst sets the past, present and future on course for collision, for Amelia and her brother Hakeem who manage the place. Inspired by characters devised with members of Blueprint community theatre company and the painting by Edward Hopper, ‘Nighthawks’ is written by Annie George and directed by Eleanor Morrison.
“...a short play with a wistful air, its characters passing through or moving on, dealing with their problems in private, unable to connect...it is a vision of a city in transition, a place struggling to hang on to its community bonds or replace them with something new...strong performances in Eleanor Morrison's elegiac production, with its well-judged sound design by Graeme Arthur, making a bold start for the company...” The Scotsman
In association with Wave Theatre Blueprint
Online booking for this event has now closed. Tickets may still be available on the day at the Scottish Parliament
Protest Songs? Who Cares?
13:30 - 14:30, Committee Room 1, FREE.
Has political song had its day? Can words and music alone make any difference in an increasingly difficult world? Burnsong creative director Ronnie Gurr will chair a discussion featuring Live Aid founder and trustee Midge Ure OBE and Guardian music writer Dorian Lynskey, author of the recently published book 33 Revolutions Per Minute: A History of Protest Songs, and former MSP Lloyd Quinan to discuss the past, present and future of the political song.
In association with Burnsong
Online booking for this event has now closed. Tickets may still be available on the day at the Scottish Parliament
Has Twitter changed the world? Social media and Scottish politics
13:30 – 14:30, Room P1.02, FREE.
This debate will consider whether the use of Twitter and other social media by participants in events such as the Arab spring has lessons for parliamentary democracies. Do Scottish politicians need to communicate with citizens in a more interactive way, or is the use overhyped? Can meaningful comparisons be made between revolutions in undemocratic countries and how politics is conducted in Scotland? Chaired by broadcaster Lesley Riddoch and joined by Dr Andy Williamson, Director, Digital Democracy Programme, Hansard Society; Peter Cruickshank, research fellow at the International Teledemocracy Centre, Napier University; Joan McAlpine MSP and Kezia Dugdale MSP.
In association with the Hansard Society
Online booking for this event has now closed. Tickets may still be available on the day at the Scottish Parliament
The media at a time of crisis: part of the problem or part of the solution? A Polish example
14:00 - 15:00, Committee Room 3, FREE.
What has the role of the mass media been in the transitions from authoritarian political systems, such as in Poland, before 1989? What is the role of media in today's multicultural Europe? Bernard Margueritte is president of the International Communications Forum and a former Le Monde correspondent for Eastern Europe who was an eyewitness to the political changes in Poland. He will talk about the powerful capacity of the media to encourage positive changes, rather than being merely passive observers of situations and events. Chaired by journalist Magnus Linklater.
In association with the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland
Online booking for this event has now closed. Tickets may still be available on the day at the Scottish Parliament
Behind the Scenes at the Museum: V&A at Dundee
16:00 - 17:00, Committee Room 1, FREE.
Dundee will provide the backdrop for a stunning new museum building on the Tay waterfront. The museum at Dundee is one of the most internationally significant architectural projects in a generation. A panel of architects, curators, and critics discuss the inspiration and vision for the building and how its development might contribute to the economic fortunes of the city and Scotland. Speakers include Moira Gemmill, Director of Projects at the V&A; Peter Bowman from Cre8 Architecture; Philip Long, Director of the V&A at Dundee; and Mike Galloway, Director of City Development Dundee City Council. Chaired by Alan Taylor, Sunday Herald, and editor of the Scottish Review of Books.
Online booking for this event has now closed. Tickets may still be available on the day at the Scottish Parliament
Reporting Europe in the Age of New Media
16:00 - 17:00, Room P1.02, FREE.
Much of the most incisive coverage of European affairs is now available in the form of blogs and social media postings. Why is this, and how does it fit in with traditional press and broadcast reporting? Poacher turns gamekeeper in this unusual event, in which a leading politician keeps order as a panel of journalists and new media contributors discusses the issues.
In association with the European Movement in Scotland and the European Parliament Information Office in Scotland
Online booking for this event has now closed. Tickets may still be available on the day at the Scottish Parliament
Culture for the people, by the people?
16:30 - 17:30, Committee Room 3, FREE.
Do the arts really reflect the society we live in, or the society the artist lives in? A discussion about cultural democracy, diversity and the vital role of the arts in empowering and galvanising communities. Panel includes John McGrath Artistic Director of National Theatre of Wales, Stephen Stenning Director of Edinburgh Mela and Owen Logan Research Fellow at University of Aberdeen.
In association with the Wave Theatre
Online booking for this event has now closed. Tickets may still be available on the day at the Scottish Parliament
In Conversation with Richard Holloway
18:30 - 19:30, Committee Room 1, FREE.
As part of the General Teaching Council (GTC) for Scotland’s series of lectures, Anthony Finn, the GTC’s Chief Executive, will join Richard Holloway in conversation. Richard is a Scottish writer and broadcaster and was formerly Bishop of Edinburgh in the Scottish Episcopal Church. He is now regarded as one of the most outspoken and controversial figures in the church.
In association with GTC Scotland
Online booking for this event has now closed. Tickets may still be available on the day at the Scottish Parliament
An evening with Midge Ure
18:30 - 20:00, Members’ Restaurant, £20.00 (Concessions £17.50). Book in advance.
Live Aid founder and songwriter Midge Ure visits the Festival of Politics for an intimate solo performance. Join the Ultravox frontman and writer of “Do They Know It’s Christmas”, “Vienna” and others as he performs work from his catalogue of hits in a parliamentary evening of inspirational song and conversation.
Online booking for this event has now closed. Tickets may still be available on the day at the Scottish Parliament
