This photo gallery features images of the Festival of Politics 2008
Pictures from Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
| Young people in Scotland presented their views on the important issue of climate change and the impact they thought it would have on them in future years. The event, held in association with Children in Scotland and WWF Scotland, was delivered by the Children's Parliament and supported by the Scottish Government and Scottish Commissioner for Children and Young People. The young people unveiled a mural that they had prepared to illustrate their views and talked to the audience about this. Glenn Campbell from BBC Scotland chaired the discussion, and was joined by MSPs Patrick Harvie and Stewart Stevenson. |
In an event chaired by Lesley Riddoch, Guardian journalists Polly Toynbee and David Walker explored the issue of social inequality in the UK. During an hour-long session they touched on topics including income tax, high salary bands and the role the Government has to promote social equality. Polly Toynbee brought the session to a close with positive words to the public "One of the things we want people to be is optimistic about how much better things could be." |
|
| Small States - the Age of Liberation? Paul Scott, former diplomat and well-known writer on Scottish history, culture and affairs, chaired the discussion on small states. In recent years all modern empires and most multi-national states have dissolved into their component parts. In Europe many previously submerged small nations have recovered independence. Their smallness potentially makes them more democratically responsive to their electorate and rapidly adaptable to changing conditions in the globalised world. Mr Scott opened the floor to the question: "If these small states are the most prosperous and contented of all countries, is this then an example Scotland should follow?" |
Moving Portraits Winner of the 2008 World Press Photo competition Portraits category, Platon discussed the political and social resonance of his photography work, and how he captures his award-winning images. Platon has met and photographed both celebrities and iconic figures including the late actor Heath Ledger, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Vladimir Putin, his winning image in WPP Portraits category. When explaining how he reaches out to his subject he said: "My way is to physically make a connection, to touch the person and to put them at ease." |
|
| |
||
| In the final session of this year's Festival, Mark Thomas said: "Politics and comedy are an intrinsic mix that naturally go together. I found out about apartheid through a Dave Allen sketch! You can always change things. Admittedly, one joke is unlikely to do it but culture plays an enormous part in how we challenge the world. Can it change things? Yes.” In the sell-out event, Ken MacDonald from the BBC asked Mark about his lone demonstrations, his work on Coca Cola, and what it takes to be an activist. Mark outlined the tenacity and research required to successfully bring about change before exchanging stories with audience members who had taken part in M40 demonstrations. |
2007 Gallery| More pictures from 2007 Festival | 2007 Open Day gallery
For image queries email [email protected]
The Festival of Politics is an initiative of the Scottish Parliament.
