/newsletter_2005_march

ESU News THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION

Creating global understanding through English ISSUE No. 120 MARCH 2005

Prince Philip praises the achievements of the English Language The winner of the 2004 Duke of Edinburgh ESU English Language Book Award was Campaign published by Macmillan Education. Described as “an excellent example of functional language teaching at its best and a very important contribution to peace-keeping�, the winning entry is a text book providing English teaching for the military. This Award, together with various others, was presented by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 24 November.

Contents Award Ceremony . . .Page 2 Istanbul

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Lindemann Fellowships

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London Debate Challenge . . . . . . . . .Page 3 John Smith Memorial Mace

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ESU Frank Bell Scholarships

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Czech Republic Above: The Duke of Edinburgh ESU English Language Book Award is presented to Simon Mellor-Clark and David Riley of Macmillan Education.

During the ceremony Highly Commended certificates for the ESU English Language Book Award were also awarded to Skills in English from Garnet Publishing and The Internet and Business English from Summertown Publishing.

2004 was the second year that the ESU President's Award was awarded to recognise innovation and excellence in the use of new, freestanding technologies in the teaching and learning of English. The winner was Macmillan School Dictionary CD-ROM and website, published by Macmillan.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh also presented certificates to winners of ESU public speaking

and debating competitions. Patricia Evangelista of the Philippines won the International Public Speaking Competition in May 2004 with her speech 'Blonde and Blue Eyes'. The competition was sponsored by HSBC Holdings plc with sixty competitors from thirty four countries taking part.

Patricia travelled from Manila to collect her Award.

Also being awarded certificates were Dhakshi Muhundakumar, Monika Sobiecki and Ilana Lever from Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls who won the 2003-2004 ESU National Public Speaking Competition for Schools.

Continued on page 2.

Telephone : 020 7529 1550 Fax : 020 7495 6108 Email : esu@esu.org

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Mongolia National Day

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Literary Events . . . . .Page 5 Global Conversations

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ESU Christmas Celebrations

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ESU Brazil Halloween Party . . . .Page 6 Uganda

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Diary Dates . . . . . .Page 7-8

Web : www.esu.org

The largest parliamentary schools debating competition in the world, the ESU Schools Mace, was won by Thomas Boston and Gabriel Brady from George Heriot's School in Edinburgh. This year over 800 schools from all over the United Kingdom and Ireland took part.

Celebrating its 50th year in 2004, the John Smith Memorial Mace was won by Harriet Jones-Fenleigh and Nicholas Tan from the Cambridge Union Society. The final was chaired by the Rt Hon. Charles Kennedy MP. The ESU Essex Court Chambers National Mooting Competition 2004 was won by Tom Shepherd and James Weale of the University of Bristol. The competition promotes the skills of courtroom advocacy for legal students in Britain.

Above: The ESU President's Award is presented to Katalin Sule and Guy Jackson from Macmillan.

Finally, certificates were awarded to the winners of the ESU London Debate Challenge Championships. Supported by the Department for Education and Skills (London Challenge Unit), the Sir John Cass's Foundation, Coca-Cola Great Britain and Tesco PLC, this programme provides the opportunity to all maintained schools in Greater London to learn to debate and take part in competitions.

The 2004 winning team, representing the Borough of Brent, consisted of Veeraj Thakrar and Chandni Radia of Claremont High School and Ahir Shah of Preston Manor High School.

Above: HRH The Duke of Edinburgh presents Patricia Evangelista with her Award after winning the International Public Speaking Competition.

Above: Winners of the ESU London Debate Challenge, Veeraj Thakrar, Chandni Radia and Ahir Shah receive their certificates from The Duke of Edinburgh.

The ESU spreads the word in Istanbul James Probert and Harold Raitt, from the ESU's Centre for Speech and Debate, together with Diana Gotts, Area Organiser for Scotland in the Schools Mace and a former coach of the Scottish World Schools Team, recently attended the International Debate Education Association's Annual Conference in Istanbul.

They presented papers on debate formats used by British debaters, the successes and lessons learned from the first year of the London Debate Challenge, and the ESU's approach to training and Continuing Professional Development for teachers.

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Debate education is incredibly varied between countries; from US Policy Debate, where the same motion is debated every weekend for an entire year, to Kazakhstan where young debaters play an active role in government policy-making.

The ESU was able to learn a great deal from other national and international debating organisations. James, Harold and Diana were also delighted at the number of requests received for further information on existing and projected ESU programmes, as well as possibilities for new international partnerships.

Lindemann Fellowships Awarded

ESU Alumni back the London Debate Challenge The London Debate Challenge is now well into its second year. November's diary featured Pupil Workshops in Brent, Tower Hamlets, Barking and Dagenham and, for 100 students from Bexley, the Cambridge Union.

Above: The Lindemann Committee, L-R Dr M C Grossel, Professor R J P Williams, Professor R Cowley, Professor Sir Roger Penrose, Professor D J Edwards and Professor Sir Francis Graham-Smith.

The Lindemann Committee, comprising some of the most prestigious science academicians in Britain, met at Dartmouth House in January to interview the shortlisted candidates for the 2005/2006 Lindemann Trust Fellowships.

The Fellowships are offered to graduates of exceptional promise in both the pure and applied physical sciences and are among this country's foremost science prizes. For the year 2005/2006, three scholarships were awarded. The successful candidates were Dr Oliver Daltrop from Oxford University, Mr Jonathan Keeling from Cambridge University and Mr Gareth Funning from Oxford University who will be researching earthquake movement using new radar technology.

Each Fellow will receive a grant of $30,000 to enable them to undertake scientific research in the United States for

a year. After the interviews, Committee members were joined for lunch by the Director-General, Mrs Valerie Mitchell.

In a report submitted to the Committee, Dr Kate Grzywacz-Jones, a 2003 Lindemann scholar who studied at Rutgers University, wrote, “The time I have spent in the US has been the most important in my career development as I have been given the opportunity to lead projects which include large collaborations, author proposals and independently direct the course of my research.”

The ESU Squad of debate mentors, most of whom are current or recent university debaters, are the key to the group teaching that takes place in these Workshops. The Squad has now increased to over 150 members due to recent training days at Dartmouth House and the Cambridge and Oxford Unions.

In addition to teaching at Pupil Workshops, mentors are available for schools all over London to help judge school and Borough competitions, or offer help and advice to schools who want to set up their own debating societies.

In addition, Dr Michael d'Arcy, also a 2003 scholar wrote in his final report: “As well as learning new physics, I have considerably broadened my horizons. …In these times I believe it is particularly important to acquire this kind of understanding, and I am very grateful for having been given the opportunity to do so.”

Lincoln's Inn to represent England in the 2004-05 John Smith Memorial Mace The England Leg of the 2004-05 John Smith Memorial Mace took place at the end of November. The preliminary rounds were held at Dartmouth House and at Westminster City School.

The winning team, first proposition Sebastian Issac and Fiona Dewar from Lincoln's Inn, will go on to represent England at the International Final in Scotland later this year.

The final was held on the Saturday evening at Westminster City Hall with four teams debating the motion, “This House would move the capital of the United Kingdom”.

Richard Osborne of Inner Temple was named as the highest ranking individual speaker in the competition. Special thanks go to this year's Mace convenor Nick Pacheco for his hard work and support.

Above: London Debate Challenge workshop held in Sutton.

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ESU Frank Bell Scholarships This summer four teachers attended teacher training courses at the Bell School in Saffron Walden as recipients of an ESU/Frank Bell Scholarship.

Vivien Constable, the Head Office Administrator at the Bell School met Beata Baskakoviene from Lithuania and Dragana Milankovic from Serbia & Montenegro. The students were enjoying their course tremendously and are very appreciative of the opportunity the Scholarships had given them. They remarked on the excellent teaching and content of the course, which they all said would help them considerably when they returned home. They also commented on how well the class of 11 students bonded. They appreciated the interaction with people from different nationalities and had made friends with many students.

Both scholars were half way through their course and Dragana Milankovic expressed her “gratitude to all the people who work for the Bell Educational Trust and the ESU who enabled me and many others to improve their teaching and training skills, to meet colleagues from all over the world and share ideas and experiences, as well as to visit England and learn something more about its people, culture and historical heritage�.

Above: L-R Beata Baskakoviene from Lithuania and Dragana Milankovic from Serbia & Montenegro.

Two other scholars, Enkhbold Jargal from Mongolia and Irina Boornazian from Armenia also attended teacher training courses during the summer. ESU Sri Lanka was also offered a scholarship.

The ESU would like to thank the Bell Educational Trust for their continued partnership with the ESU/Frank Bell Scholarship.

ESU organises Nurse Placements with the Czech Republic ESU Nurse Work Shadow organiser, Gill Prior, visited the Czech Republic in October with Great Western Hospital representative Shelly Knight. After a meeting at the British Embassy, they visited Motol Faculty Hospital in Prague and met with Chief Nurse Jana Novakova. They were able to exchange ideas about hospital, administration and also agreed that following the success of the placement of Jitka Tvaruzkova at Great Western Hospital, there will be a similar opportunity for a Czech nurse in 2005.

Right: Gill Prior (left) with Ian Turvit, Chairman, ESU Czech Republic Steering Committee and Shelly Knight at the British International School, Prague.

Mongolia National Day The Mongolia National Day, held at the Mongolian Embassy in Kensington, was well supported by the ESU. Left: L-R Mr Alexander Finnis, Chairman of the ESU National Committee for England and Wales, HE Mr Dalrain Davaasambuu, Mongolian Ambassador, Mrs Valerie Mitchell and Mr Simon Moyle, founder of ESU Mongolia.

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ESU Literary Events In November 2004, Sir Alistair Horne was the guest speaker at a Literary Lecture, where he presented his new book Friend Or Foe. The book marks the centenary of the Entente Cordiale, which ended centuries of war and enmity between France and Britain.

Two hundred years after the Coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor, the author contemplates two thousand years of France from a highly personalised, idiosyncratic view. The talk examined France's extraordinary, modernising leaders, from Henri IV through Louis XIV and Napoleon to Charles de Gaulle, who have so aggressively promoted the nation's image.

Sir Alistair gave an amusing assessment of the differences between the two nations, joined by centuries of conflict and mistrust, and concluded that France is neither friend nor foe, but a cher ennemi.

Alistair's wartime military career included attachment in MI5 and he later became a foreign correspondent at the Daily Telegraph. Valerie Mitchell was in the Chair and Colin McCorquodale, Chairman, ESU London Branch, gave the Vote of Thanks.

Above: Sir Alistair Horne.

Lord Thomas of Swynnerton

At a Literary Luncheon held at Dartmouth House in December, the Hon. Gerard Noel presented his book Miles, an affectionate portrait of the 17th Duke of Norfolk.

The talk gave a personal insight into the essence of Miles' unique character. An unpretentious, amusing and modest family man, he was Britain's most senior Catholic layman. Immensely proud of his 30-year record as an active soldier, Military Cross winner and military civil servant, he joined the Grenadier Guards as a Lieutenant in 1937. He served at Dunkirk and in North Africa, and earned his MC in the battle of the Sangro River.

As a major-general, he commanded the First Division of the Rhine army from 1963 to 1965. Looking back on this, he said, "It took no effort on my part to inherit the Dukedom of Norfolk and all the other titles I have, but I am justly proud to have commanded the First Division ... as I had to work for that off my own bat."

Valerie Mitchell presided, and television presenter and journalist Sir David Frost, husband of the Duke's daughter Carina, said a few words about his father-in-law.

The English-Speaking Union joined forces with the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum at the end of November 2004 for a Lecture, held at Dartmouth House.

Guest of Honour, Lord Thomas of Swynnerton, talked on 'The British Empire and the Slave Trade'.

Above: L-R Mr John Raisman, Lord Thomas of Swynnerton and Lord Watson of Richmond.

Hugh Thomas is a British historian who specialises in Hispanic culture. A prolific author, one of his best-known books is The Spanish Civil War. Lord Watson, Chairman, The English-Speaking Union was in the Chair and Mr John Raisman, Chairman of the Trustees, The British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, gave the Vote of Thanks.

Above: L-R Sir David Frost with the Hon. Gerard Noel and Mrs Valerie Mitchell.

www.global-conversations.org The ESU of the United States' newest initiative, Global Conversations, utilises two powerful channels of communication the English language and the Internet - to link members from ESUs around the world. Launched at the World Members' Conference in October, it allows members to participate in on-line conversations about literature, film, art, and current affairs, even though they may be thousands of miles apart. Some have participated in real-time conversations on its private chat area.

The online discussions are hosted on a user-friendly website designed for the ESU. The technology is simple and clear, ensuring easy navigation for all.

The first conversations are already under way; one focuses on the English language and all its complications and infinite varieties.

As Global Conversations moves forward, members will decide what to discuss next; literature, language, art, or whatever seems pertinent.

Registration is easy. Go to www.global-conversations.org and enter your full name and email address. In minutes, you'll receive a temporary password. When you log on, you can change the password and join the conversation.

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Elizabethan Dancers entertain guests at the London Branch Christmas Reception The evening began with the unveiling of the newly restored Robert Adam Mantelpiece by ESU Deputy Chairman, Lord Hunt. The restoration of the mantelpiece to its former glory was part funded by the London Branch. The mirror hanging above the mantelpiece was donated by Lady Dean.

The unveiling was attended by Valerie Mitchell and the Chairman and Vice Chairman of London Branch, Colin McCorquodale and William Marsden.

Above: L-R Colin McCorquodale, Lord Hunt, Lady Dean and William Marsden at the unveiling of the newly restored Robert Adam Mantlepiece.

Members of the London Branch and their guests were entertained at Dartmouth House at the beginning of December by a splendid group of Elizabethan Dancers in full costume. The entertainment in the Long Drawing Room was much enjoyed by the audience.

Above: The Elizabethan Dancers.

Christmas Celebrations at the ESU The ESU's annual Christmas Concert took place in December 2004 at Dartmouth House, in aid of the Music Scholarship Fund. Singers from the Rodolfus Choir, under the direction of Mark Shepherd, provided seasonal music, and readings were given by Chairman Lord Watson, members of the Cultural Affairs Committee, ESU alumni and supporters.

The concert was followed by a reception with minced pies and mulled wine and enthusiastic singing around the piano, led by the choir and accompanied on the piano by the Chairman of the Cultural Affairs Committee, Nicholas Wickham-Irving.

Above: Lord Watson, members of the Rodolfus Choir and readers, Lady Garland, Lady Dean and Simon Wallfisch.

ESU Brazil's Halloween Party ESU Brazil S達o Paulo Branch held a Halloween Benefit Party.

It was a magical night with many members in Halloween dress.

Left: L-R are members of the Committee, Norika Ford, Yvonne Buckingham-Slezynger, social director, Ashley Jenner and Luciane Jenner, Chairman ESU Brazil S達o Paulo Branch.

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ESU Staff Volunteer in Uganda Over Christmas and New Year 2004/2005 Sarah Spinney, ESU Communications Officer and Mary Dawson, ESU Assistant Director of Education, travelled to Ndejje village, Uganda to volunteer with The African Child Foundation. ACF is a small charity which works with HIV orphans and the local community on sustainable development projects.

Whilst in Uganda, they took part in several different projects including teaching English to the local refugee community from the Congo and Burundi, the building of a new school, working in a rural clinic and working with those children and adults affected by HIV. Should you wish to read the full report or are interested in supporting this project in any way please contact Sarah or Mary at Dartmouth House.

Left: Sarah and Mary with some of their students in Uganda.

Support the ESU If you would like to strengthen the ESU’s ever increasing educational programme by a donation or a legacy in your Will, please contact Jo Wedderspoon at Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London, W1J 5ED, telephone 020 7529 1550, email jo_wedderspoon@esu.org.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Diary Dates

Unless otherwise stated we regret that no refunds can be made for cancellations within seven working days of an event.

For members: We accept payment for Dartmouth House events and membership subscriptions by credit/debit cards. Cards bearing Visa, Master-Card, Maestro, Switch, Solo or Delta symbols can now be used to make bookings by post, telephone or email.

DARTMOUTH HOUSE Telephone : 020 7529 1550

MARCH Wednesday 2 March at 7.30pm Public Debate at Dartmouth House This House believes that Britain should build more nuclear power stations Contact: Vivienne Thomson Thursday 3 March at 7.00pm Michael Henderson will launch his new book, See You After The Duration. Copies of the book will be available for signing Tickets: £8 including a glass of wine Contact: Katie Brock Wednesday 9 March at 10.30-11.30am At Home at Dartmouth House Members and their friends are invited to coffee at Dartmouth House Contact: Jacqueline Abbott Monday 14 March at 3.15pm The Commonwealth Day Observance 2005 will take place at Westminster Abbey. Admission is free by ticket only. A limited number of tickets are available to ESU members. Names of all ticket holders must be submitted For ticket availability please contact Jacqueline Abbott

Tuesday 15 March at 12.00pm Lady Elizabeth Graydon will talk about her book, Air Dog to Top Dog, a light-hearted view of the RAF through the eyes of the Labrador 'Blackie' Tickets: £15 including a sandwich lunch, wine and coffee Contact: Katie Brock Wednesday 16 March at 7.00pm David Ramsbotham will talk about his book, Prisongate Tickets: £8 including a glass of wine Contact: Katie Brock

APRIL Wednesday 6 April at 7.30pm Public Debate at Dartmouth House This House believes that the 1960s did more harm than good Contact: Vivienne Thomson Wednesday 13 April at 10.30-11.30am At Home at Dartmouth House Members and their friends are invited to coffee at Dartmouth House Contact: Jacqueline Abbott Cont...

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Diary Dates cont...

DARTMOUTH HOUSE Telephone : 020 7529 1550

APRIL INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHES Saturday 23 April at 12.30pm The National Final of the Schools Public Speaking Competition will take place at the City of London School for Girls Contact: Katherine Plummer Thursday 28 April at 7.00pm The Watts Gallery Concert, Guildford, with the Sacconi Quartet, will be held as a Memorial to Lady Heald Tickets: £25 or £40 for a pair, to include a wine and canapé reception Contact: Katie Brock

MAY

ESU Mexico The Launch of ESU Mexico will take place on Sunday 15 May at the British Embassy and a cultural programme will run from Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 May ESU Czech Republic The Launch of ESU Czech Republic will take place in Prague on Wednesday 22 June with a cultural programme from Saturday 18 June For more details, contact Helen Green

Wednesday 4 May at 7.30pm Public Debate at Dartmouth House This House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government Contact: Vivienne Thomson Tuesday 10 May at 7.00pm Bret Waller, Director Emeritus, Indianapolis Museum of Art, will give a lecture on “Terra Incognita: The American Midwest and its surprising museums”, at Dartmouth House. This lecture is in aid of the ESU American Arts Scholarship to Attingham Tickets: £7.50 to include wine Contact: Helen Sender Wednesday 11 May at 10.30-11.30am At Home at Dartmouth House Members and their friends are invited to coffee at Dartmouth House Contact: Jacqueline Abbott Wednesday 11 May at 6.30pm for 7.00pm Professor Andrew Gerstle, Professor of Japanese Studies, Department of the Languages and Cultures of Japan and Korea, SOAS University of London, will give a lecture on “Creating Celebrity: Kabuki Actors, Poets and Artists” as an introduction to a major Exhibition of Japanese Theatre Prints opening at the British Museum on 30 June 2005. The lecture is in aid of the ESU Chilton Art History Scholarship and will take place at The Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1 Tickets: £15 to include a glass of wine Contact: Jacqueline Abbott Thursday 12 May The 2005 International Public Speaking Competition will take place with the heats at Dartmouth House in the morning and the final held at Merchant Taylor’s Hall in the afternoon. If you are interested in attending, please contact Helen Green

ADVANCE NOTICE Tuesday 14 June at 7.00pm Carrie Rebora Barratt from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York will give a lecture on “Gilbert Stuart: An American Painter in Georgian London and Dublin” at Dartmouth House. The lecture is in aid of the ESU American Arts Scholarship to Attingham Tickets: £7.50 to include wine Contact: Helen Sender

A tour of St Petersburg will precede the Launch of ESU Czech Republic from Tuesday 14 to Saturday 18 June. For more details please contact Margarita Mudrak, Chairman, ESU St Petersburg: Tel: +7 812 571 7519 Fax: +7 812 571 4089 Email: association@ctinet.ru ESU Germany, Bavaria will be hosting an informal visit to meet their members after the Launch of ESU Czech Republic from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 June. Please contact Claus Bruegmann, Chairman, ESU Bavaria: Tel: +49 89 308 4098 Email: cbr.cbw@t-online.de

Wednesday 6 July at 3.30-5.00pm The House of Lords Tea Party The Lord Watson of Richmond will receive guests on the Terrace of the House of Lords. This is a popular event and early booking is essential. Guests' names will need to be submitted in advance Tickets: £22 Contact: Jacqueline Abbott

Visit St Petersburg and be treated like a Czar or Czarina!

Through the Fabergé Family and ESU St Petersburg, we are arranging a trip of a lifetime flying by British Airways to St Petersburg from 30 July - 5 August 2005. Staying at the luxurious 5 star Astoria Hotel the full programme covers all the main attractions and much more. As befits a Fabergé event, there are many surprises which no other tour can include For more information, telephone Irene Clarke at the St Petersburg Collection 01895 238674. Places are very limited so early booking is recommended

ESU Merchandise When visiting Dartmouth House, why not take a moment to look at the display cabinet, where you will find an exclusive range of gift items, all featuring the ESU logo. The items for sale are reasonably priced starting from just £3.50 and range from key fobs to an impressive assortment of glassware, ties, and jewellery. Ask at reception for details

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