ESU News THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION Creating global understanding through English ISSUE No. 140 NOVEMBER 2008
Edinburgh Hosts World Class Conference
Contents Edinburgh Conference . . . . . . . .Page 1 Edinburgh Conference cont'd . . .Page 2 Teachers' Seminar . .Page 3 Alumni Dinner . . . . . .Page 3 Maria Tuttle Lunch . .Page 4 Anjou Exchange . . . .Page 4 Heald Lecture . . . . . .Page 4 Nurse Placement . . .Page 5 Attingham Review . . .Page 5 Election Panel . . . . . .Page 6 US Exchange . . . . . . .Page 6 Debate Winners . . . . .Page 6 New Faces . . . . . . . .Page 7 Diary Dates . . . . . . . .Page 8
(L-R) Jon Dye, Lord Watson, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and Lord Hunt
The city of Edinburgh provided a splendid backdrop to the 2008 World Members’ Conference and International Council Meeting in mid-September. Thirty-one countries were represented at the conference, demonstrating the truly international scope of the ESU today. Whilst the WMC itself was getting underway, 59 members of the International Council met in the Scottish Parliament to elect its new President for 2008-2009 and discuss other issues that affect the ESU worldwide. Ambassador Masamichi Hanabusa, Chairman Emeritus, ESU Japan, was duly elected as Council President and was later introduced to conference guests. Also on the agenda was the ratification of two ESU Steering Committees - Albania, which plans to launch in spring 2009 and Cyprus, which has timetabled a June launch. In addition Sheikh Tariq Abdullah, Chairman, Steering Committee, ESU Yemen, expressed his intention for a full launch next year.
The World Members’ Conference boasted an array of headlining speakers. Events kicked off with an opening dinner at the modern and innovative Dynamic Earth where ESU Scotland welcomed delegates. Lord Hunt, Chairman, ESU International Council and William Miller, Deputy-Chairman, ESU International Council both made speeches before introducing Ambassador Hanabusa to the assembled guests.
The ESU was delighted that HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, ESU President, was the Guest of Honour on the opening day. A demonstration debate was held in his honour, followed by a reception, where he had the chance to meet the many members present. Continued on page 2.
Delegates at the 2008 International Council Meeting
Telephone : 020 7529 1550 Fax : 020 7495 6108 Email : esu@esu.org
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Edinburgh Hosts Conference cont’d from Page 1 Other highlights of the conference included receptions at the National Gallery and the impressive Mansfield Traquair plus a memorable 90th Anniversary Dinner and Ceilidh held at Murreyfield Stadium.
William Miller, Ambassador Hanabusa and Valerie Mitchell
Delegates were impressed and enraptured by our stellar list of speakers, including two high profile ESU alumni: Sir John Bond, Chairman of Vodafone Group Plc, who spoke on The EnglishSpeaking Union in a Changing World and Sir Richard Billing Dearlove, former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, whose presentation was on The Anglophone Intelligence Alliance. Alex Salmond, Scottish First Minister, spoke to the delegation about the importance of debate and public speaking for young people. The Rt Hon The Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, Professor David Crystal, Sir Robert Worcester and Sir Christopher Meyer completed the line-up.
Sir John Bond, Lord Watson and Sir Richard Dearlove
The conference ended on a high note with presentations by Alice Boyne, President ESUUS, and Valerie Mitchell. We should like to thank Brian Montieth, Jon Dye and the ESU Scotland Committee, and John Duncan and his excellent staff for organising such an impressive, enjoyable and varied programme of events.
(L-R) Lord Hunt, Alex Salmond, Jon Dye and Brian Monteith
There were also several lively and intriguing panel sessions around the ESU’s international development, including its future challenges, work with young people and new and emerging ESUs. In addition, Professor Stanley Wells and Dr Paul Edmondson thrilled delegates with an outstanding presentation on Shakespeare.
Lord Robertson 2
Sir Christopher Meyer
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh with Sheikh Tariq Abdullah, ESU Yemen, Gill Prior, Salisbury Branch and Mrs Patricia Cook, York Branch
Professor David Crystal
Friendships Formed Through Shakespeare Seminar participants had a unique opportunity to experience the different cultures represented from around the globe. Valerie Mitchell welcomed the delegates and Globe staff to Dartmouth House for a workshop entitled Period Music and Globe Productions, followed by a dinner where she paid tribute to Patrick Spottiswoode, Director, Globe Education, and his team.
Delegates at Dartmouth House with Valerie Mitchell, Gillian Parker and Annette Fisher
Delegates from 20 countries came together, in August, for the fifth English-Speaking Union Shakespeare’s Globe Cultural Seminar, Shakespeare and His Stage. The week-long event, for teachers who have English as a second language, aims to promote and encourage the performance and appreciation of Shakespeare. Participants on the course explored new teaching methods, attended performances including King Lear, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Merry Wives of Windsor, discussed theatre with the actors and enjoyed workshops that approached
teaching Shakespeare in a dynamic and exciting way. There were also opportunities to learn how to design clothes for the Elizabethan stage with the Master of Clothing and Properties, express words though motion, with the Master of Movement, and vocalise the written word with the Masters of Play and Verse. Following the performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor, delegates had the rare opportunity to interview Company Members. Coming from a diverse range of countries and backgrounds, the seminar’s
The ESU expresses its deep gratitude to Lloyd George Management Ltd and to ESU London Branch, for their continuing generosity and support with this successful project. “I have spent a wonderful week in London. During this period I learnt many things, I saw many places, I had the opportunity of sharing information about different methods of teaching with the other delegates. After this experience I can consider myself a fulfilled teacher. Moreover, I think that this experience will be useful for my students, especially when discussing Shakespeare. Last but not least, I must mention the importance of the group that we, the ESU delegates, have formed. We have come from twenty different countries, spent a week together and now I can say I have nineteen friends worldwide.” Razvan Cernica, Romania
Lindemann Alumni Dinner On Wednesday 1 October, the English-Speaking Union and the Lindemann Trust Sub-Committee hosted a buffet dinner to celebrate the achievements of alumni of the Lindemann Trust. The Lindemann Trust 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. Twenty guests attended, including members of the Lindemann Trust Sub-Committee. The Earl of Stockton, Chairman of the Sub-Committee, presided over the evening and two fellows addressed the assembled guests. One of the 2008 fellows, Miss Julie Ferguson spoke about her proposed research, Seasonal resolution records of climate and upwelling intensity along the California coastline form stable isotopes and trace elements in mollusc shell. Dr Jonathan Keeling, a fellow from 2006, spoke about the impact the fellowship has had on his career. The event provided an excellent opportunity for Lindemann Alumni to reminisce about their experiences as a Lindemann Fellow, and to make connections with other alumni. As one attendee stated, “I find it a useful forum to meet people from outside of my normal professional circle”. Another commented that, “the event was very successful in bringing alumni and committee members together for informal discussions in relaxed surroundings. I look forward to the next one!”
(L-R) Current Lindemann Fellow, Julie Ferguson, who will be departing for the US in November 2008, Dr Chris Hooley, 1999 alumnus, Professor Roger Cowley, Lindemann Committee Member and 2006 alumnus Dr Jonathan Keeling
The ESU was delighted that so many fellows were able to attend and continue to promote this fellowship to their students and colleagues. 3
Literary Luncheon with Maria Tuttle The ESU was treated to an exceptional guest of honour at a literary luncheon in October – Maria Tuttle, the wife of the present Ambassador to the Court of St James’s for the United States of America. Mrs Tuttle presented her recently published book, Winfield House, and gave guests a unique insight into the daily workings of the ambassadorial house and its role as a tool of modern diplomacy. Drawing on her personal interviews with previous incumbents, she was able to provide an intimate view of a house never open to the public. The elegant book also features photographs by James Mortimer, which reveal every aspect of this elegant house and garden. The talk was followed by a question and answer session. Maria Tuttle was introduced by Lord Hunt, who also presided. Director-General, Valerie Mitchell, offered a few words of welcome.
Maria Tuttle (left) signs copies of her book, accompanied by her secretary, Rose Barclay, who assisted Mrs Tuttle with her research
St Petersburg/France Anjou Exchange 18 Russians determined to show them the best their city had to offer, including their hospitality. The favour was duly returned, just three weeks later, when the Anjou members met the Russian party at Angers station to give them a flavour of their city and the French way of life.
Members of ESU St Petersburg and ESU Anjou at the Fontevraud Abbey, near Anjou
Last year in Anjou, Margarita Mudrak, President, ESU Russia-St Petersburg and John Brown, President, ESU France-Anjou, agreed the basis of an exchange trip
between the two branches. The idea became reality this summer, when a group of 16 members of ESU France-Anjou landed in St Petersburg, welcomed by
At the end of this exchange, both parties were sad to leave such good company, but also happy that new friendships had been formed. This initiative was successful from all points of view and will certainly continue. Maggie Coleman, one of the ESU FranceAnjou party, has kindly written about her St Petersburg adventure. The text is available on the ESU website www.esu.org
Literary Lecture with Tim Heald Tim Heald presented his new book Princess Margaret: A Life Unravelled at a literary lecture held at Dartmouth House in late July. His vivid and elegant biography portrays a woman who was beautiful and alluring, but who sadly ended her life publicly reviled and ignored.
Don Miller, Hon Secretary of the London Branch, presided and Dame Mary Richardson gave the Vote of Thanks.
Mr Heald discussed her relationships, and the mythology that Margaret's life was 'ruined' by not being allowed to marry the one true love of her life - Group Captain Peter Townsend. The author also discussed her marriage to Lord Snowdon, whilst her well-attested relationships with Roddy Llewellyn and others were deemed to be mere consolation prizes. Drawing on those who were closest to Princess Margaret, Tim Heald delivered a sensitive and humorous lecture for audience members. He told many anecdotes shedding light on an intensely private Royal personality. Questions following the lecture revealed curiosity in a life in which the private and the public seemed permanently in conflict. (L-R) Dame Mary Richardson, Tim Heald and Don Miller 4
Florinella Completes Nurse Work Programme Nurses in Romania are responsible for many aspects of patient care, from checking notes and accompanying patients when they visit the doctor, to attending the patient after their treatment and seeing that all is carried out according to the doctor’s instructions. Gill Prior, Head of the ESU Nurse Work Programme, gained some first-hand experience of Florinella’s training, as she explained, “I was aware that she naturally assesses you and when I met her during her stay she gave me small health tasks to perform and made sure I had been doing them during the week!” During her time at the Great Western Hospital, Florinella worked in a number of wards, including infection control, resuscitation, emergency admission and care of the elderly. She was most appreciated by all staff, who were pleased to award her with a certificate at the end of her stay.
Florinella Citu outside the Great Western Hospital, Swindon
Florinella Citu from Romania became the latest participant on the Nurse Work Programme, hosted by Salisbury Branch and the Great Western Hospital in Swindon. Trained at the main hospital in Constanta, Romania, Florinella has been in practice there for the last five years.
Whilst in the UK, Florinella spoke at the Salisbury Branch and also gave a talk at Bristol Branch, who helped to fund her visit. Since her return to Romania, she has given talks on her visit to seven hospitals. Salisbury Branch is very grateful to the Metropolitan Essex, Bristol and Exeter Branches for their continued support of this initiative; also to Dartmouth House for Florinella’s weekend in London, and the NHS Great Western Hospital, Swindon for its invaluable co-operation with the ESU Nurse Work Programme.
Attingham Lecture Series The English-Speaking Union has been delighted to welcome three prestigious speakers for our Attingham Lecture Series: Dr Alan Kraut, Bruce Robertson and Emily Ballew Neff. Dr Kraut spoke on Ellis Island – Testing the Bodies and Minds of Immigrants Before Granting Admission to America. He offered the audience an insightful lecture on the vetting process on Ellis Island, the main entry facility for immigrants entering the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Offering guests spectacular photographs, Dr Kraut’s presentation encapsulated the atmosphere of Ellis Island at the time. Alan Kraut is Professor of History at the American University in Washington DC and a specialist in US immigration and ethnic history. The second lecture in the series introduced Bruce Robertson, Deputy Director of Art Programmes at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and a Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He spoke on High Culture and the Wild West: The Development of Art Museums in the American West. The third and final lecture in this year’s Attingham Series was given by Emily Ballew Neff on John Singleton Copley (1738-1815): Painter of American Revolutionaries and the English Aristocracy in September. Emily gave guests a fascinating lecture accompanied by spectacular images on Copley’s finest work including the painting which made his fame, The Death of Lord Chatham. She described the artist’s life, intertwining his story with his paintings, which often depicted the political turmoil of the time. Mrs Alys Rickett welcomed guests and commended Emily on her excellent lecture.
(L-R) Lady Dean, Mrs Alys Rickett and Emily Ballew Neff
The event was also attended by Lady Dean who has generously donated two volumes to the ESU Library on John Singleton Copley. These were originally presented to Sir Patrick Dean (British Ambassador in Washington 1965-1969) in 1966 by the Director of the National Gallery of Art in Washington. Proceeds from the lectures go towards supporting a US student attending the Attingham Summer School, a three-week residential course examining the applied arts and history of the English Country House. The ESU has offered this scholarship since 2001 and our current scholar is Justin Gunther, who is the Curator of Buildings and Collections at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, Pennsylvania.
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Panel Discussion on US Presidential Elections An expert panel of political pundits addressed the prospects for the US Presidential Elections at a joint meeting of the Pilgrims and The English-Speaking Union at Dartmouth House in September. Stryker McGuire, London Bureau Chief, Newsweek, Oliver Franklin, Honorary British Consul Philadelphia, John Micklethwait, The Economist and Peter Riddell, The Times, featured on the panel with Sir Robert Worcester in the chair. The main topic of discussion was, perhaps unsurprisingly, Sarah Palin, who had been chosen as John McCain’s running mate the week before. The panel’s opinions sparked a lively debate amongst the ESU and the Pilgrims, before Sir Robert Worcester concluded proceedings with a Vote of Thanks.
The panel: (L-R) Peter Riddell, Oliver Franklin, Sir Robert Worcester, Stryker McGuire and John Micklethwait
A Capitol Experience crucial time in US politics, and one granted to only a few British students. I struck gold in being an intern for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, who is the second most senior Congressman in the House of Representatives. Among other daily tasks, such as distributing newspapers and sorting through the post, emails and faxes, I was also responsible for answering phones to constituents who needed someone to listen to their complaints about Congress.
Emily and her fellow interns on Capitol Hill
The ESU’s Parliamentary Exchange Programmes afford students the opportunity to experience life at the centre of Government in either the USA, UK or France on a summer internship. Emily Roche, from the College of St Hild and St Bede, Durham University, who spent this summer on Capitol Hill, shares her experiences with us: “I was lucky enough to be one of the nine British undergraduates participating in the English-Speaking Union’s Capitol Hill Internship Programme. It really was a unique opportunity to glimpse the inner workings of American government at a
When on the phone to a constituent about to lose their house because of mortgage foreclosure, you realise you’ve come a long way from studying the abstractions of economic depression in a distant library. The icing on the cake was the Intern Lecture Series, which provided some very well known speakers for our enjoyment. I was lucky enough to hear, among others, General Colin Powell, Defence Secretary Robert Gates, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, and Civil Rights activist Rep. John Lewis. I also had the unrivalled opportunity to question Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve Donald Kohn on the Fed’s aggressive interest rate cuts in the face of what we are calling the ‘credit crunch’. Being pro-active and finding out about these events definitely reaped its rewards.
Other British interns found themselves listening in on an Obama press conference, and several of us came home with Obama and McCain business cards as valuable pieces of memorabilia. Special thanks must go to the Moncure family for arranging a whole host of events for us to attend. Our weekends were quickly filled with evenings with the British Ambassador, yachting trips on the Chesapeake Bay, and Bastille Day parties at the French Embassy. The internship was an invaluable opportunity to be a working part of the US government, and see all its quirks and intricacies from the inside. It also served as a great launch pad from which we could make contacts and get invites to other events on the Hill. The whole experience was made more enjoyable by the other interns I shared it with, British and American alike. A Congressional internship is what you make of it, and I like to think we gained as much as we could from our placements. We certainly had an immensely enjoyable few months, both in the office and out. I am therefore tremendously thankful to the ESU for organising the scheme, and allowing me to take up my place in Washington, DC.”
England Wins World Schools Debating A team from England, coached by a member of the ESU Debate Squad, has won the 2008 World Schools Debating Championships. Ben Woolgar from St Paul’s School, Barnes, Emily Pearce from Heathland School, Hounslow, James Fox from Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys School, Elstree, and Seb Farquhar from Leeds Grammar School triumphed over the team from New Zealand in the final, held at the Reagen Centre, Washington DC. The motion was This House would expand the permanent membership of the UN Security Council. England’s debaters spoke on opposition. 6
The students were coached by Debbie Newman, a former member of the team herself and now an English teacher and freelance educationalist. Debbie is one of the trained coaches in the ESU’s Debate Squad. In recent years the World Schools Debating Championship has grown immensely, taking place in Lima, Johannesburg, and Stuttgart. Next year’s tournament will be in Athens.
To all ESU Alumni The ESU Alumni Association is here to help maintain contact between alumni and to preserve the friendships and contacts made during the scholarships. Receiving stories and photos of your scholarship experiences is important to the ESU, particularly for the compilation of the alumni newsletter Alumni Update and to promote the scholarships around the country. Additionally, if you wish to make a donation to the Alumni Association, or any scholarships that the ESU currently supports, it would be much appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you and I hope I will be meeting you in the near future at our alumni and ESU events. Cristel Guajardo, Alumni Officer. Email cristel_guajardo@esu.org
New Faces Over the summer months, we saw a number of staff changes at the ESU, bringing fresh faces from a range of backgrounds to the organisation. Cristel Guajardo joined the ESU in August as the new Alumni Officer. She will oversee the ESU Alumni database and organise reunions and fundraising events for the ESU Alumni Association. Originally from Chile, Cristel moved to London in March 2000 to study and in July gained a degree in Hispanic and European Studies. English being her second language, she is delighted to be part of the ESU to ensure that it continues to expand and create global understanding through English. A former student ambassador at Queen Mary, University of London, Cristel worked closely with the University’s Alumni Relations and Events office where she gained experience regarding alumni database and events. Kate McCulloch has joined the ESU as Branches and Education Assistant. She replaces Natasha Plaister, who, after three years of dedicated service left the organisation for a position at Southwark Borough Council. Kate is a newcomer to London, having recently returned from a six-month round the world trip to South-East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and South America. Before this she was at Birmingham University where she completed a BA in Economic and Social History.
(L-R) Rosie Unwin, Kate McCulloch, Jason Vit, Cristel Guajardo and Kallina Basli
There were also three additions to the ESU’s Centre for Speech and Debate: Kallina Basli as Debates and Education Officer, Jason Vit as Competitions Officer and Rosie Unwin as Programmes Officer. Kallina grew up in Athens but has lived in London for four years. Prior to joining the ESU, she was also at Queen Mary, where she completed a BA in Politics. She is well versed in the skills of debate, having trained students in debate and public speaking at schools in Greece. She also took part in several debating competitions whilst at Queen Mary. Jason also took part in a number of public speaking and debating competitions while at school in West Sussex before going to St Andrews University to read for an MA in Modern History. Whilst there, he competed with some success at university
competitions as well as being involved in a number of Scottish schools competitions. Following graduation, Jason spent a year at the CBI working on education policy before coming to the ESU. Rosie studied law in London and, whilst doing so, took part in a number of public speaking, mooting and debating competitions and is regularly asked to speak at show debates at various London institutions. Rosie has previously been involved with the ESU, having been on the Lebanon tour and taken part in the John Smith Memorial Mace. All our new staff are delighted to have joined the ESU and are looking forward to being fully involved in all of the programmes that the ESU offers.
Spend Christmas With Leith’s There is still time to organise your Christmas celebration with Leith’s. Dartmouth House, the home of the ESU, provides the perfect setting for your Christmas Party. The Revelstoke, Churchill and Long and Small Drawing Rooms are available as a whole house hire or they can be hired individually. We can accommodate up to 140 guests for a dinner dance. Food and beverages are provided by Leith’s and we can offer as much or as little assistance as you need for music, entertainment, flowers, table set ups, acts, themeing and, of course, catering. For further details, or to make a booking, please contact Reception on 020 7529 1550. 7
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
DECEMBER
NOVEMBER
The delegate fee is £300. For more information or to make a booking, please contact Branka Panic, ESU Sebia, Strahinjica Bana 63, 11000 Belgrade, tel/fax: +381 11 3287300, email: ybs.esu@EUnet.yu Wednesday 12 November 10.30 – 11.30 am ESU members are invited to a coffee morning at Dartmouth House. This is an opportunity to meet old and new members and to introduce friends to the ESU’s international headquarters. Contact: Annette Fisher Wednesday 12 November at 7 pm Lecture at Dartmouth House by John Hardy on The English Country House in aid of the ESU Chilton Art History Scholarship. Tickets: £17.50 to include a glass of wine. Reception 6.30pm, lecture 7.00pm. Contact: Gillian Parker
Wednesday 10 December 10.30 – 11.30 am ESU members are invited to a coffee morning at Dartmouth House. Contact: Annette Fisher Wednesday 10 December at 7 pm ESU annual Christmas Concert at Dartmouth House, with seasonal music and readings. Join us for Yuletide cheer, festive fare, mulled wine, readings and carols with singers. Tickets: £15 to include mulled wine, sandwiches and mince pies Contact: Gillian Parker
JANUARY Wednesday 14 January 10.30 – 11.30 am ESU members are invited to a coffee morning at Dartmouth House. Contact: Annette Fisher
CHRISTMAS CLOSURE Please note that Dartmouth House will close on Wednesday 24 December 2008 and re-open on Monday 5 January 2009.
Thursday 20 November at 6.30 pm The Annual General Meeting of the ESU will be held in the Small Drawing Room at Dartmouth House. Contact: Chris Margaritis Monday 24 November at 6.30 pm Gala Concert at Goldsmiths' Hall. The cellist Steven Isserlis is generously giving a recital in aid of the ESU Music Scholarship Fund, to celebrate the 100th birthday year of the founder Belinda Norman-Butler and the 90th anniversary of the ESU. This will be a superb evening of music. Tickets: £60 each or £100 for two. Contact: Gillian Parker
APOLOGY Members may already be aware that we are in the process of having a new membership database installed. This is not yet in full working order and it is likely that errors will occur. We would like to thank you for your patience and apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause, and would be most grateful if you would report any mistakes to Margaret Garrett, Membership Secretary at Dartmouth House.
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.
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Your help would be greatly appreciated.
This brochure has been printed with vegetable inks using environmentally friendly paper sourced from sustainable forests and is chlorine-free, acid-free, reclyclable and bio-degradable.
1-3 November The Future of Englishes An international conference held in Belgrade, Serbia to mark the 90th anniversary of the English-Speaking Union entitled The Future of Englishes, organised by ESU Serbia, the first ESU to be launched in Eastern Europe in 1991. Professor David Crystal will be keynote speaker and the conference will include a cultural programme.
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