The Right Honourable the Lord Dubs

Friday, February 1, 2019 - 19:00

Alf Dubs, Baron Dubs, is best known for his passionate condemnation of UK asylum policy, and continued advocacy for refugees.

He was the author of a 2016 amendment to the Immigration Act - the ‘Dubs Amendment’ - that was intended to allow child refugees safe passage to Britain.

In a world when immigration, borders, and refugees are polarising issues, listening to the experiences of real people is more necessary than ever.

Lord Dubs will talk about his life, having come to the UK on the Kindertransport after fleeing the Nazis from his birthplace in Prague.

Interview with ex-Footlight Tony Slattery

Saturday, February 2, 2019 - 19:00

Ex-Footlight Tony Slattery comes to Cambridge for a rare interview! All welcome to attend, whether you're affiliated with Footlights or not.

This event is run in association with the Cambridge Footlights.

Panel: Attitudes to Breast Cancer with Pink Week

Monday, February 4, 2019 - 19:00

Join Cambridge Pink Week for a lively discussion exploring attitudes towards breast cancer.

Topics under discussion will include attitudes towards screening, the use of the word ‘pink’ in relation to breast cancer, and the intersection of breast cancer and mental health.

PANELISTS:

Dr. Rosalind Given-Wilson

A consultant radiologist specialising in breast imaging and screening, as well as paediatric imaging.

Liz O'Riordan

A consultant breast surgeon who was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in July 2015 at the age of 40. She writes an award-winning blog to help doctors and patients see what having breast cancer is really like (liz.oriordan.co.uk).

Heidi Loughlin

A motivational speaker & blogger, who runs the Twitter and Blogspot pages “Storminatitcup.” She writes about her life with stage four inflammatory breast cancer, and is currently writing her first book. 

This panel is ran in collaboration with Pink Week.

Debate Workshops

Tuesday, February 5, 2019 - 19:30

Come along to our weekly workshops to learn how to debate with our debating officers.

This House Believes Genetic modification of Humans Is the Future of Healthcare

Thursday, February 7, 2019 - 19:30

With recent scientific developments such as He Jiankui’s orchestration of the birth of the world’s first gene-edited babies using CRISPR-­‐‑Cas9, the genetic modification of human beings seems to become increasingly attainable. Therefore, in our Week 4 debate, the Cambridge Union has paired up with Astra Zeneca to ask to what extent the genetic modification of human beings will be possible in the future, and crucially, whether we should embrace it for medical purposes.

Proposition:

Robin Lovell-Badge:-

Head of the Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics at the Francis Crick Institute

Student Speaker:-

This slot will be given to a student who chooses to audition for it.

TBC

Opposition:

Fiona Watt

Executive Chair of the Medical Research Council

Student Speaker:-

This slot will be given to a student who chooses to audition for it.

TBC

This Debate is kindly sponsored by - AstraZeneca and MedImmune.

Union Closed for Electrical Works

Friday, February 8, 2019 - 20:00

Kindly note that on the night of Friday 8th February, and through the weekend, the Union will be closed because of electrical works.

It will be open again on Monday 11th February.

Union Reopens after Electrical Works

Monday, February 11, 2019 - 09:00

Eva Schloss (Union Plus)

Monday, February 11, 2019 - 19:00

Eva Schloss, a survivor of Auschwitz and stepsister of Anne Frank, will share her story.

As someone who experienced the horrors of the camps intimately, she will speak on the real human cost of a period in history that is becoming ever more politicised.

We will hold Open Auditions to interview this speaker.

This event is in collaboration with Cambridge University Jewish Society.

Peter Tatchell (Union Plus)

Tuesday, February 12, 2019 - 19:00

For LGBT+ History month, we welcome Peter Tatchell, a human rights campaigner, whose work in activism includes two attempted citizens arrests of Robert Mugabe, fighting Neo-Nazis in Moscow, and organising the first London Pride.

Having campaigned through the AIDS crisis and homophobic government policies, the eventual repeal of Section 28, and the introduction of same-sex marriage, Peter brings a wealth of experience in LGBT+ activism to talk about.

This event is in collaboration with CUSU LGBT+.

Debate Workshops

Tuesday, February 12, 2019 - 19:30

Come along to our weekly workshops to learn how to debate with our debating officers.

PANEL: Divestment and Climate Justice.

Wednesday, February 13, 2019 - 19:00

How we can prevent global catastrophe?

Climate change is one of the biggest threats to our planet and civilization but is often dismissed by world leaders and is low on the list of issues that concern the public.

Panelists will explore the case for re-examining the way we think about climate change, the race and inequality issues surrounding climate change, and what the movement should be focusing on.

This House Is in the Mood for Love

Thursday, February 14, 2019 - 19:30

This comedy debate is in collaboration with the Cambridge Footlights, who will have members speaking on the proposition and opposition of the motion.

Nadine Strossen

Friday, February 15, 2019 - 19:00

What, if any, are the limits to free speech? Is no-platforming required to protect certain groups from discrimination, or is censorship only ever counterproductive?

Nadine, the first woman and youngest person ever to lead the American Civil Liberties Union and an influential business leaders, will speak on her book HATE: Why We Should Resist It with Free Speech, Not Censorship, to address one of the most pressing questions today

There will be Open Auditions to interview the speaker at this event.

Robin Diangelo

Saturday, February 16, 2019 - 19:00

Academic Robin DiAngelo coined the term ‘white fragility’ in 2011 arguing that it describes a defensive attitude exhibited by white people when their attitudes to race are challenged.

How do we talk about racism today, is the language we use to talk about race effective, and how do we engage with all people in order to tackle it?

Robin will address these questions and more in a fascinating and topical discussion.

PANEL: Ann Olivarius (Union Plus)

Monday, February 18, 2019 - 18:30

Over a year on from the Weinstein scandal, CUWSL and the Cambridge Union presents a panel discussion on the continued successes and challenges of the #metoo movement in the UK.

How has #metoo impacted police work and prosecutions? How does media law prevent women from telling their stories? What role can women lawyers play as advocates and activists?

Joining us on the panel will be:

Kate Parker, Barrister 5PB
Kate has a broad criminal law practice with expertise in sexual offence law. Outside court, Kate directs the Schools Consent Project, a charity which delivers workshops to 11-18 year olds on the legal definition of consent and key sexual offences.

Lucia Osborne-Crowley, Reporter, Activist and Legal Academic
Lucia is a journalist, essayist, writer and legal academic. Lucia reports for the Wall Street Journal and publishes regularly in Meanjin Quarterly, ABC News and Women's Agenda. Lucia’s first book on trauma, recovery and sexual violence will be published by Indigo Press in 2019.

Dr Olivia Smith, Senior Lecturer Criminology, Anglia Ruskin University
Olivia specialises in researching violence against women, particularly court responses to rape and sexual assault. Her main area of research is court and criminal justice responses to sexual violence, particularly rape and sexual assault.

This panel is in association with 

Diarmaid MacCulloch

Tuesday, February 19, 2019 - 19:00

Diarmaid MacCulloch is Professor of the History of the Church at the University of Oxford, who declined ordination to the priesthood because of the Church’s attitude to homosexuality.

He will be speaking on his landmark biography of Thomas Cromwell and the successes and controversies that defined Cromwell’s life, from his reforms of the Church of England, enmity with Anne Boleyn and his execution at the hands of Henry VIII.

This event is in collaboration with CLIO.

Debate Workshops

Tuesday, February 19, 2019 - 19:30

Come along to our weekly workshops to learn how to debate with our debating officers.

Mary Portas

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 - 19:00

Mary Portas is one of the UK’s most high-profile businesswomen, whose high-flying career includes a retail consultancy working for clients ranging from Louis Vuitton to Mercedes, her own TV series and leading a government review on the future of high streets.

Mary will speak on her life, how to make it in business and her new book, Work Like a Woman.

Tom Odell

Thursday, February 21, 2019 - 15:00

Tom Odell is one of the most exciting new indie artists, starting from the bottom performing at open mic nights before being discovered by Lily Allen. In light of his new album Jubilee Road, Tom will give an insight into the life of a successful artist in such a competitive industry, as well as how he feels music has been impacted by social media and Spotify.

We will hold Open Auditions to interview this speaker.

Panel: Politics and the Black Vote

Thursday, February 21, 2019 - 17:00

PANELISTS:

Magid Magid:-

British-Somali activist and politician who has served as the Lord Mayor of Sheffield since May 2018.

Lord Michael Hastings:-

Crossbencher at the House of Lords and previous member of the Council of the Overseas Development Institute and the Center for Global Development in the US
 

This House Believes British Identity Is Fundamentally Racist

Thursday, February 21, 2019 - 19:30

Taking place just as Brexit legislation will be inching its way through Parliament, the traditional opening debate of the year at the Union is more timely than ever.

The Government’s slim working majority will be put under pressure, and party loyalties will be put to the test.

Is another general election in the offing? Or is Theresa May strong and stable after all?

PROPOSITION:

Adam Elliott Cooper:-

Research Associate on Urban Displacement at King’s College London. He is also a board member of The Monitoring Group, a community organisation which challenges racial violence and police misuse of power.

David Netta:-

Vice Chair of the Society of Black Lawyers, known for his involvement in high profile campaigns including the Windrush scandal and Grenfell Tower.

Student Speaker:-

This slot will be given to a student who chooses to audition for it.

OPPOSITION:

Sunder Katwala:-

Director of the identity and integration think-tank British Future.

TBC

Student Speaker:-

This slot will be given to a student who chooses to audition for it.

CANCELLED: Deontay Wilder

Friday, February 22, 2019 - 15:00

Deontay ‘The Bronze Bomber’ Wilder has been the WBC heavyweight boxing champion since 2015 and was the first American world heavyweight champion in 9 years. He is known for his knockout punches, with a 95% knockout-to-win ratio and 19 knockouts in the first round.

He took on Tyson Fury in a much-anticipated fight in December 2018, and has since been challenged to a rematch.

We will hold Open Auditions to interview this speaker.