Oxford Union Term Hilary 2022 by The Oxford Union

H IL A RY 2022

Molly Mantle President

Welcome Hilary Term is always special at the Oxford Union. As a new cohort of freshers take up positions on our committees for the first time, the rest of us begin to settle into the rhythms of the Oxford year, and, after a short break for Christmas, we are thrown back into the world of Oxford with renewed vigour. Two years ago, I became involved in the Union for the first time, drawn by the people who made the Union awe-inspiring and welcoming. Many people have shaped this Term Card, from those whom I’ve met, to those who have shaped the Union’s history, and those who are shaping the world. It is a pleasure to present it to you now, and a privilege to serve as your President. This term we look to our history to inform our future. We will reflect on Malcolm X’s famous chamber speech in our Protest Debate and commemorate the great figures of our history in our panel on Women at the Union. We will examine changing norms in our debates on pornography and organised religion. We will celebrate old traditions, and welcome new ones; I am immensely proud to present our first ever all-women debate in celebration of International Women’s Day. For nearly two centuries, the Oxford Union has given students access to the world stage as equals. It is that platform which allows us to host the conversations that matter to us, to challenge some of the most influential people in the world, and to do so in our own space, on our own terms.

From political icons like Barbara Boxer, to campaigners like Amika George and Sir Peter Lampl, to groundbreaking scientists like NASA’s Dr James Green, we will welcome trailblazers in every field this Hilary to explore the questions of the day through each one’s unique lens. The Union is still a wonderful place to meet friends, old and new, with our packed calendar of social events. Alongside our termly ball, I am particularly excited to introduce a new series of socials, hosted weekly by our Equalities Officers. If you haven’t joined us in-person at the Union before, this is the perfect place to start. Whilst this term is as full of events as ever, this Term Card is only the beginning. It is you who will breathe life into this term. Whether you join us in behindthe-scenes reform, make a floor speech to swing the debate or simply become a permanent fixture in the library, I hope you find something to interest and inspire you this Hilary. This is your Union, both to shape and enjoy, and I look forward to joining you.

Molly Mantle St. Hugh’s

INF OR M AT I ON

Rachel Ojo

Ahmad Nawaz

LIBRARIAN

TREASURER

Welcome back everyone. I hope you have all thoroughly enjoyed the break!

To the lovely members and friends: (Peace be upon you all).

It is an honour to be your Librarian this term and I am filled with joy knowing that you will be able to engage with all the incredible and inspiring speaker events we have in store for you. From CEOs, to social activists, to famous musicians, there truly is something for everyone this term!

As a 14-year-old in Pakistan, it was too distant a dream to even study at Oxford, let alone serving as the Treasurer of the Oxford Union. Perhaps mum was right, dedication takes you places you wouldn’t have even dreamt of…

I am incredibly proud of our committee for working tirelessly over the vacation in order to make our amazing Termcard a reality. We have really delved deep and focussed on making sure that this term is a special one. I am especially looking forward to our week of International Women’s Day celebrations as well as our Holocaust Panel. These are just a few of the thought provoking events on offer this term. In addition to organising speakers, my role is also to look after our truly beautiful Library. Library committee is responsible for choosing new books and the Library’s management. It is the perfect place to give suggestions and I am eager to have as many of you as possible contributing. Please reach out if you would like to get involved with Library Committee, which is at 14:15 every Monday. Don’t forget to keep an eye on our social media and your emails for updates as well as the fantastic opportunity to ballot for speaker meet and greets, debate dinners and much more. I am very excited to meet you all during this term and if you have any ideas or suggestions feel free to drop me an email!

Over Christmas, we have worked incredibly hard to produce a termcard that our members can truly enjoy. I am proud to have worked extensively on our super exciting debate line-up and I would strongly encourage you all to participate in making floor speeches as the sponsorship team has secured some fantastic floor prizes for you all. The Treasurer’s Office has worked incredibly hard over Christmas to bring you some exciting Treasurer’s treats; from kebab vans to restaurants. The sponsorship team and I have worked considerably on helping the Union finances by securing sponsorships. And, as we look at the term ahead, I’m particularly looking forward to the ‘Spring Soirée’ which will welcome you into the flowery spring season with an evening of music and dances… Finance Committee will take place every Monday at 15:00, and every member is more than welcome to bring any thoughts regarding the financial conduct of the society. If you have any questions or suggestions, please never hesitate to reach out to me. We have put an ungodly number of hours and effort into making Hilary the loveliest of all terms and I really hope that it is indeed as lovely for you all as we intend it to be!

(Lots of Love) Rachel Ojo University College librarian@oxford-union.org

Ahmad Nawaz Lady Margaret Hall treasurer@oxford-union.org

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Anjali Ramanathan SECRETARY

I hope you’ve had a lovely Christmas and a very happy New Year, and that you’ve come back to Oxford feeling refreshed! Last Trinity, before I got involved with the Union committee, I really enjoyed singing at the beer garden. I found that socials can be a wonderful way to bring people with a broad range of interests into the Union, and I’m very excited to bring more music into the Oxford Union with jazz nights in the bar. Socials are also a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our cultural diversity–we look forward to welcoming you at our Lunar New Year and Holi socials. Most importantly, socials can make the Union more welcoming and approachable, especially for those of us who take a bit more encouragement to get involved. That’s why I’m so excited for our access and inclusion socials, because the Union is only at its best when everyone can participate. Finally, I hope to see you at what I am sure will be the highlight of the term–the Oxford Union ball. We’ll be filling the Union with whimsical florals and celestial lighting for our theme, Moonlit Garden, along with some of the ball classics you all love, like the silent disco. Tickets will be going on sale soon–don’t miss them! If you have any questions or feedback, or if you’ve got some musical talent you might like to share at an event, please send me an email at secretary@oxford-union.org!

Anjali Ramanathan Christ Church secretary@oxford-union.org

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H IL A RY 2022

How It Works The Oxford Union is entirely student-run and the affairs of the Society are managed by a number of committees, which will meet in-person throughout the term. You are welcome to attend committee meetings and have your say. Find out more details by emailing the respective committee chairs or checking the Noticeboard. STANDING COMMITTEE Chair – Molly Mantle, President president@oxford-union.org The Standing Committee is the Society’s governing body and makes its most important decisions. This includes recommending rules changes to the House, passing expenditure and managing the general business of the Society. Monday 16:00 - Morris Room CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE Chair - Sharon Chau, CCC ccc@oxford-union.org The Consultative Committee gives you the opportunity to ask questions to the sitting officials of the Union, and stay up to date on the running of the society’s events. Monday 13:15 - Gladstone Room ACCESS COMMITTEE Chair - Ethan Dodd, Senior Access Officer ethan.dodd@oxford-union.org The Access Committee advises on all access-related matters and is responsible for promoting the inclusion of underrepresented groups by planning events and suggesting procedural changes. Friday 13:00 - Morris Room

LIBRARY COMMITTEE Chair - Rachel Ojo, Librarian librarian@oxford-union.org The Library Committee oversees the operation of the Union’s library, compiles suggested book lists, approves members’ book suggestions and manages the removal of unused books. Monday 14:15 - Morris Room DEBATE SELECTION COMMITTEE Chair - Andrew Chen, CDSC cdsc@oxford-union.org The Debate Selection Committee manages the Union’s competitive debating wing, arranging training and competitions. Monday 12:00 - Morris Room FINANCE COMMITTEE Chair - Ahmad Nawaz, Treasurer treasurer@oxford-union.org The Finance Committee scrutinises the Union’s finances and reports its findings to the Standing Committee. Monday 15:00 - Morris Room BAR STRATEGY COMMITTEE Chair - Anjali Ramanathan, Secretary secretary@oxford-union.org The Bar Strategy Committee oversees the management of the Bar and makes decisions regarding its stocks, budgets, and furnishings.

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How to Get Involved SHAPE THE CONVERSATION The Union remains committed to giving our members the opportunity to engage with and challenge its speakers. At every speaker event, Members will have the opportunity to ask questions live. We also hold ‘meet and greets’, advertised on our facebook page and mailing list. We encourage you to take advantage of this, and shape the conversation this Hilary. RUN FOR ELECTION Each term, elections are held for Committee and Officer positions on Friday of 7th Week. Successful candidates assist in inviting speakers and arranging debates for the following term, and undertake a range of other responsibilities. To nominate in these elections, candidates must make a certain number of speeches during term, and must submit nomination packs within the nomination window (ending Friday 6th week). This term, all voting will be undertaken in-person (subject to COVID-19 guidelines). For more information, please email the Returning Officer at ro@oxford-union.org. JOIN A COMMITTEE All committee meetings are open for members to attend and observe. If you are interested in attending or becoming a member of any of these committees, simply email the relevant committee chair (detailed overleaf) to find out more.

APPLY TO BE ON APPOINTED COMMITTEE A number of positions on Oxford Union Committees are appointed, including Press & Sponsorship, Guest Liaison and Equality Officers. All appointees also assist in inviting speakers and arranging debates over the vacation. Applications for Trinity Term’s appointed positions will open in 5th Week, and will be advertised on the Oxford Union Facebook page and mailing list. Please contact the President For further information, read our termly ‘How to Get Involved’ Handbook or attend the 5th week How To Get Involved workshop. COMMUNITY LINKS The Oxford Union lies at the heart of Oxford, and is a hub for student life. Our buildings can be hired for events by student societies, and we are always open to collaborating with student societies to put on special events for our members. If you are involved in a local community or student group and would like to learn more, please get in touch with the President (president@oxford-union.org) or Senior Access Officer (ethan.dodd@oxford-union.org).

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GET BACK INVOLVED - ALUMNI LINKS As we prepare to celebrate our bicentenary next year, we are keen to reconnect with our life members from around the world. Make sure to join our mailing list so you can keep up with the latest Union developments and sign-up to attend our online events. As a life member, you are always welcome to use our facilities, including our Bar and Library, and to attend in-person and online events. Specific alumni events will also be a feature of the coming year, details of which will be announced via the mailing list. Finally, 2023 will mark the start of our Bicentenary fundraising campaign, to secure the Union’s future for the coming centuries. A full programme of events will be announced in due course.

President’s

OPEN HOURS

DEBATES 10

SPECIAL EVENTS

SPEAKERS 42

SOCIALS 68

INFORMATION 82

The President, Molly Mantle, will host weekly open hours where members are welcome to ask questions, raise suggestions or simply come and chat. Drop in on Fridays from 11:00 - 13:00 - tea and coffee is provided.

T H E OX F OR D UNI ON 10

Debat This House Believes The Commonwealth Should Have No Future

This House Believes There is No Ethical Consumption Under Capitalism

This House Would Populate Mars

This House Welcomes the New Era of Porn

This House Would Move Beyond Organised Religion

This House Would Abolish Prisons

This House Would Do Whatever Necessary

This House Believes Women Can Have It All

For almost 200 years, the Oxford Union has championed free speech and the critical exchange of ideas. Debating remains at the heart of the Union today. Our famous Thursday night debates happen every week during term, with the following timings: 19:45 - Emergency Debate. Featuring only student speakers, these debates seek to address pertinent current affairs issues, with motions being set weekly. Check our Facebook page and Noticeboard for the motion of the week or attend CC to suggest your own! 20:30 - Main Debate. With high-profile speakers from around the world, our Main Debates have a distinguished history, and are considered an important forum for political and cultural discussion. More details about the motions for this term are on the pages that follow.

DE BAT E S

tes Prizes are on offer for the best speeches of the night, and we encourage you to speak up and take part. In the Main Debate, time is reserved for members to give 3 minute floor speeches before the final speaker on each side. They may also raise Points of Information (POIs) to guest speakers by calling “on a point of information”.* At the conclusion of the debate, you are invited to vote with your feet by walking out of the Chamber through the door labelled ‘Ayes’ or ‘Noes’. A ballot will be released each week via email and on our Facebook page for members to attend the pre-debate dinner with our guest speakers.

11 *see Standing Order B2 for more information.

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DE BAT E S

Thursday, 20th January, 20:30 This House Believes

The Commonwealth Should Have No Future A pointless colonial relic or a unifying force? Comprising almost 2.5 billion people from 54 member states and with a formal history stretching back over seventy years, in recent years the value of the Commonwealth of Nations has been questioned. The lack of clear direction or unified policy within the Commonwealth exposes a tension between its vision and the complexities of modern international relations. At a time of international mistrust and instability, what role, if any, should the Commonwealth play on the world stage? Will its actions always be haunted by its imperial past or could it be a force for unity despite its sometimes divided members?

Proposition

Opposition

Robert Guest Foreign editor for The Economist. He authored The Shackled Continent, which explores the roots of poverty in Africa and how it can be alleviated. He regularly appears on CNN and the BBC.

The Rt Hon. The Lord Marland Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Conservative life peer and businessman. He previously served as Chairman of the Commonwealth Business Council, Minister for the Department of Energy and Climate Change and Minister for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The Rt Hon. The Lord Boateng PC Civil rights lawyer, Labour Life Peer and former MP for Brent South. In 2002, he became the UK’s first Black member of the Cabinet when he was appointed as Chief Secretary to the Treasury. He also served as the British High Commissioner to South Africa.

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Thursday, 27th January, 20:30 This House Believes

There is No Ethical Consumption Under Capitalism For the conscious consumer, daily life is filled with small ethical dilemmas. With every purchase, our concern for sustainability and workers’ rights must be weighed against convenience and affordability. Sipping from soggy paper straws, we’re left wondering if these individual choices are enough to make our consumption ‘ethical’ — if we can even decide which values to prioritise. Can capitalism provide a route to ‘ethical consumption’ and economic success, or are we being led down the garden path by a system designed for profit at any price?

Proposition

Opposition

Noga Levy-Rapoport Climate activist and UK Student Climate Network speaker. They are a spokesperson for Labour for a Green New Deal and were instrumental in organising London’s climate strike in September 2019. They study History and Politics at the University of Warwick.

Carla Denyer Co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales and city councillor in Bristol since 2015. She received the UK Local Government Association’s Clarence Barrett Award for her lead role in bringing about Bristol City Council’s declaration of a climate emergency in 2018, which was the first in Europe.

Tom Burgis Tom Burgis is an award-winning investigative journalist for the Financial Times. He is the author of two books: Kleptopia: How dirty money is conquering the world, and The Looting Machine, which explores the theft of Africa’s wealth.

Sam Hall Director of the Conservative Environment Network, an independent forum for Conservatives supporting decarbonisation and conservation. He served as a Policy Adviser to Michael Gove when he was Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Bharti Patel Human rights and social justice advocate. She is a leading voice on the human rights of children, women and migrants and has helped to set guidelines for the fair treatment of workers and the prevention of modern slavery.

Simon Mundy Moral Money Editor at the Financial Times. He spent seven years in Asia, heading the FT bureaux in Seoul and Mumbai, and two years travelling across six continents to research Race for Tomorrow, a book on the global scramble to respond to climate change.

DE BAT E S

Thursday, 3rd February, 20:30 This House Would

Populate Mars After three missions to Mars in the last year, the red planet is at the forefront of both the scientific and public consciousness. Are our limited resources better spent on Earth, or is the ‘new space race’ a hopeful expression of a noble ambition? According to Elton John, ‘Mars ain’t the kind of place to raise your kids’, but as billionaires race skyward, is now the time to prove him wrong and expand the frontiers of civilization?

Proposition

Opposition

Greg Autry Space policy expert, entrepreneur, and author. He is chair of the Safety Working Group on the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee. He served on the NASA Agency Review Team for the incoming Trump administration in 2016 and as the White House Liaison at NASA in 2017.

Sylvia Ekström A scientific Collaborator at the Geneva Observatory. She has published more than 200 papers on astronomy and astrophysics and is currently working on stellar physics research. She represents the University of Geneva in many science festivals and science promotion actions.

Alfredo Munoz Founder of ABIBOO Studio and member of the Technical Committee of Space Architecture at the AIAA. He has been named as one of the most influential Spanish architects, and headed the team that designed Nuwa, a self-sufficient Martian city.

Dr Sean McMahon Chancellor’s fellow in Astrobiology at the University of Edinburgh. His research focuses on the search for traces of ancient life in rocks from Earth that resemble those from Mars.

Dr Anjana Ajuha Science journalist and contributing writer at the Financial Times, New Scientist and Daily Telegraph. She obtained a PhD in Space Physics and was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the British Science Association in 2012.

DE BAT E S

Thursday, 10th February, 20:30 This House Welcomes

The New Era of Porn It has never been easier to make and and sell pornography from your own bedroom. The emergence of sites such as OnlyFans, which this year boasted over 120 million users, has made the porn industry more accessible than ever. This ‘democratisation’ has supposedly destigmatised the production of erotic material and brought personal porn to the forefront of internet culture. Performer and producer have merged as profits have surged. Yet whilst some herald this as a new age of liberation and progress, others view this explosion of sexual material as creating a poorly regulated and influencer-dominated industry. Is this new era of porn radical or regressive?

Proposition

Opposition

Megan Barton-Hanson Former contestant on the hit Reality TV show Love Island. She has been outspoken about the importance of body positivity and criticised patriarchal double standards on sex since. When OnlyFans proposed banning sexually explicit content in 2021, she was one of the first to speak out against the move.

Louise Perry UK based writer and campaigner. She has written for major publications such as the New Statesman and Unherd. Her work deals extensively with the modern feminist movement and society’s outlook on sex.

Cindy Gallop Founder of MakeLoveNotPorn. Her 2009 Ted Talk on pornography was one of the most talked about at the conference. Gallop also founded IfWeRanTheWorld and works as an advertising consultant.

DE BAT E S

Thursday, 17th February, 20:30 This House Would

Move Beyond Organised Religion Seneca, apocryphally, said that ‘Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.’ How we search for meaning matters in our changing and technological world. Some hold tight to collective beliefs rooted in history, but others seek to navigate morality without surrendering their autonomy. In a society preaching individualism, can personal spirituality replace organised religion in the face of life’s big questions or will structure always triumph?

Proposition

Opposition

Professor Linda Woodhead MBE Professor of Sociology of Religion at Lancaster University and Director of the 2007 Religion and Society research programme. She is the co-founder of the Westminster Faith Debates and authored An Introduction to Christianity.

The Most Revd Dr Eamon Martin KC*HS Most senior Catholic priest in Ireland, as Archbishop of Armagh, since 2014. He previously worked as a teacher and school principal and obtained an MPhil in school development from the University of Cambridge.

Rabbi Dr Jonathon Romain MBE Rabbi, writer and broadcaster, as well as minister of Maidenhead synagogue. He is a regular contributor to The Times and The Guardian and wrote Till Faith Us Do Part in an effort to help spouses who come from different religions.

Rabbi Helen Freeman Co-senior rabbi at the West London Synagogue, which is affiliated with British Reform Judaism. Her focal point is interfaith relations and helping those who wish to convert to Judaism. She also co-founded a Jewish Muslim Women’s group.

Imam Monawar Hussain Incoming High Sheriff of Oxford and founder of the Oxford Foundation. He is is a Muslim chaplain at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and works to promote religious and racial harmony through educational and arts-based activities. He has also steered a unique programme that confronts violent extremist ideology, which has been used to train religious education teachers in the UK.

Professor Sondra Hausner Professor in Anthropology of Religion. She has published work looking at how south Asia and the Himalayas are represented in religions. She has been a visiting professor in anthropology at the University of Tuebingen (2015) and Goethe University Frankfurt (2019).

DE BAT E S

Thursday, 24th February, 20:30 This House Would

Abolish Prisons Nelson Mandela once said, ‘No one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails.’ As governments grapple with renewed scrutiny of the criminal justice system, some are now advocating for reforms that others would call extreme. Are systems of incarceration conceptually flawed, or should we fight to preserve our right to detain the most harmful? Are prisons really the right place for criminals, or does a penal system built on a refusal to forgive, merely allow us to forget?

Proposition

Opposition

Professor Ryan Meade A Fellow at Blackfriars, Oxford, and Director of the Common Good Project. His research interests include jurisprudence, administrative law, healthcare law, and legal history. Mr Meade’s publications have appeared in the Oxford Philosophical Society Review and Politics and Poetics.

Leroy Logan MBE Founder of the Black Police Association and former Metropolitan Police Superintendent. Fought to reform the police force from within and was involved in the Stephen Lawrence inquiry. Recently, his story was dramatised by the BBC in Red White and Blue, starring John Boyega.

Teresa Njorge Founder and CEO of Clean Start Kenya. A former bank manager, she was arrested and imprisoned on charges she has since been exonerated of. Now an activist, her nonprofit supports pre-release programs for female inmates, to ensure their reintegration into society post-release.

The Honourable Thomas Griffith Former U.S. Court of Appeals Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. He presided over landmark cases in criminal justice, voting rights, and administrative law, including the lower-court antecedent to the U.S. Supreme Court case Shelby County v. Holder.

Clive Stafford Smith OBE Attorney who specialises in the areas of civil rights and working against the death penalty in the United States of America. He is the co-founder of Reprieve, a human rights not-for-profit organisation. He left after 15 years, and has now established a new non-profit called 3DCentre. In 2005 he received the Gandhi International Peace Award.

Natasha Porter Founder and CEO of Unlocked Graduates, a programme which has recruited over 500 graduates to be prison officers, working with over 10,000 prisoners across the country. She is an advisor to the Children’s Commissioner and a charity trustee at Impetus PEF and Get Further, She also sits on the Building Future’s Advisory Board at Prison Reform Trust.

DE BAT E S

Thursday, 3rd March, 20:30 This House Would

Do Whatever Necessary Addressing the Union chamber in 1964, Malcolm X urged members to do ‘whatever necessary’ in pursuit of social justice. Throughout history, academics have debated — and activists have pushed — the limits of legitimate protest. From pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong to Extinction Rebellion, the boundaries of necessity appear to be shifting. Faced with civil disobedience and activists treating mass arrests as the price of doing business, there are calls to curtail the right to protest. Is violent protest a legitimate tool or an unjustifiable threat? Where are the red lines when protesting — and should we cross them?

Proposition

Opposition

Aislinn Pulley Co-executive director at the Chicago Torture Justice Centre and co-founder of Black Lives Matter Chicago. She has campaigned extensively to raise money for families who have suffered due to police violence.

Peter Tatchell Human rights advocate, LGBT+ activist, author and journalist who co-founded gay rights political group OutRage! in 1990 which promotes direct action against discrimination. Member of the Green Party of England and Wales.

Ben Smoke Journalist and activist from London, who helped found Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants and took part in a blockade of a deportation charter flight at Stansted airport in 2017. The action saw the group charged and convicted of terror-related offences, before narrowly avoiding prison. Ben is contributing editor at Huck Magazine, regularly appears on LBC, and is writing his first book about the Stansted 15 trial.

Helen King QPM Former Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner and recipient of the Queen’s Police Medal. Previously worked as a detective, uniformed officer, and national police lead for horizon scanning. Gian Volpicelli Senior writer at WIRED, where he covers cryptocurrency, decentralization, politics, and technology regulation. He received a master’s degree in journalism from City University of London after studying politics and international relations in Rome.

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DE BAT E S

Thursday, 10th March, 20:30

This House Believes

Women Can Have It All In over a century since the first International Women’s Day, feminism has radically transformed the lives of women across the globe. Despite this, some fundamental questions remain unanswered. Can one woman achieve it all: sexual freedom, career success, relationships, and alongside all that, an unspoiled feminist score-card? The worlds of choice feminism and corporate feminism continues to maintain that women can ‘have it all’ within the structures of the existing system, but new waves of feminist activists seek to explode the myth of multitasking. Is ‘having it all’ a feminist warcry, or an impossible target invented by the patriarchy to keep women overworked and uncomplaining?

Speakers to be Announced

International

Women’s Day DEBATE

T H E OX F OR D UNI ON

DE BAT E S

Floor Prizes Bella Italia 4 x £25 vouchers Happy Cakes 3 x Cupcake boxes Mamma Mia 2 x 3 course meal for 2 with a bottle of wine The Perch 3 course meal for 2 with a bottle of wine Tommi’s Burger Joint Meal for 4 Victors £100 voucher TOAD 2 bottles of gin Randolph Afternoon Tea for 2

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Specia events

DE BAT E S

al s

Holocaust Memorial: Constructive Commemoration

Disabled Experiences: Beyond The Equality Act

Responsible Business: Rhetoric or Reality?

Women in Climate Tech

Gowns Over Tails: Women Who Shaped Union

The Union has a proud history of serving as a forum for the conversations that matter. This term we have organised a range of panels and special events, offering a place for more intimate and varied discussions to complement our traditional Parliamentary style debates. Our events include everything from a week of International Women’s Day celebrations to the exploration of ethical business. We are proud to uplift the voices that often go unheard. We hope you enjoy these events and that they open your mind to new perspectives.

T H E OX F OR D UNI ON

Holocaust Memorial: Constructive Commemoration

Despite the growing number of Holocaust memorial sites and educational campaigns, recent political events have demonstrated that racial hatred and antisemitism is not behind us. The prevalence of such hate around the world, finding refuge in populism, implores us to reevaluate our commemoration. Has Holocaust commemoration become too detached, leaving it hostage to collective memory? What must be done to engage new generations in memoriam? How can the anonymity of the dead be brought back into painful focus?

The Rt Hon. Baroness Ruth Deech Former director of the UK Jewish National Fund, principal of St Anne’s College and sitting Crossbench peer in the House of Lords. She has spoken up against rising antisemitism in UK universities and is the patron of the activist group UK Lawyers for Israel. Professor Sir Richard Evans A distinguished historian of Modern Germany and author of The Third Reich Trilogy. He served as expert witness in the 2000 case Irving vs Penguin Books and Lipstadt, where he provided evidence of factual distortions in Irving’s work denying the Holocaust. Laura Marks OBE Chair of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, and trustee of the Jewish Leadership Council and Commonwealth Jewish Council. She founded Mitzvah Day International, the UK’s largest faith-led day of social action.

SPE C I A L EVE N TS

Wednesday, 26th January, 17:00

T H E OX F OR D UNI ON

Disabled Experiences: Beyond The Equality Act

From the structure of education and employment to the COVID-19 pandemic, disabled people have faced systematic disadvantage. The 2010 Equality Act enshrined into law protected characteristics, including disability, for which you cannot be discriminated against. This was seen as a landmark step, however, it is clear that there is much change needed for disabled people to have similar life chances to the rest of the population. Over a decade on since the landmark change, has the UK made enough progress? What more must be done before we reach equality? Dr Suriyah Bi Lecturer at SOAS University of London and the University of Edinburgh. She is the Founder of the Equality Act Review and has conducted the largest and most comprehensive review of the Equality Act in its ten year history. Dr James Cusack CEO of Autistica, and the first openly autistic CEO of a major charity. He was part of a core stakeholder group which successfully campaigned for Scotland’s first ever autism strategy. Cathy Reay A disabled, queer, polyamarous writer. She speakers regularly on disability justice, single motherhood, sex and dating on her instagram and for a range of websites and newspapers. Dr Wanda Wyporska CEO of the Society of Genealogists, and previous Executive Director of the Equality Trust. Before this, she was the Lead Equalities Officer of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers. Sam Philips Interim Head of Culture at Lloyd’s of London, and Chief Executive Officer and Founder at Representnation. She has worked as an Inclusion and Diversity Consultant at RPC, and been an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Consultant at the English and Wales Cricket Board.

SPE C I A L EVE N TS

Monday, 21st February, 17:00

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Responsible

Business: Rhetoric or Reality?

Responsible business has become a buzzword of modern culture, but what does it actually mean? Is the drive for profit inherently in tension with social good? This panel will consider how corporations can navigate climate change, consumer expectations and the future of commerce. Corporate communications teams may have created strong rhetoric about more inclusive cultures and low carbon operations, but what should we be looking for?

Tom Rivett-Carnac Founding Director at Global Optimism and co-host of Outrage + Optimism. He is a political lobbyist for the United Nations Framework Convention on climate change, one of the architects behind the Paris Climate Accord of December 2015 co-author of The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis with Christiana Figueres, ex-Chief Executive of CDP North America. Michael Gidney CEO of the Fairtrade Foundation, and previously Director of Policy at Traidcraft. He has worked in international development for 20 years, with a particular focus on reducing poverty and developing small enterprises by helping producers identify and access markets. Professor Colin Mayer CBE The first professor at Saïd Business School, fellow of the European Corporate Governance Institute, and research fellow of the Centre for Economic Policy Research. He is an expert on corporate finance, governance, taxation, and the role of a corporation in contemporary society. Further Speakers TBA

SPE C I A L EVE N TS

Tuesday, 25th February, 17:00

T H E OX F OR D UNI ON

Women

in Climate Tech PITCHFEST

As global temperatures rise, sea levels climb, and entire ecosystems face extinction, the climate crisis is one of the biggest challenges facing our generation. With a looming deadline, unprecedented innovation in the tech sector offers an unexpected solution. Climate change disproportionately affects women, especially BAME women and those in low income communities and women have been leading the charge to find climate tech solutions. Join us as leading entrepreneurs, executives, and investors offer original solutions to the issue, and come together to discuss the future of the field.

Sujata Rastogi Founder & CEO of You’ve Got This! She has worked in financial services and led teams across the world in strategy, product, business development, partnerships, innovation & digital banking. She was awarded the TIE London Intrapreneur of the Year Award in 2018 and part of the Money2020 Rise Up USA Women in Fintech Leadership program. She is an active investor in FinTech and a mentor for Sustainable Ventures and has spoken at various industry events on the future of AI in financial services, Future of Work, Digital Banking, Finances, and FinTech. Celia Forshew Founder of Seed. She secured funding on the Dragons Den and founded Beach Break Live festival, a four-day celebration of beach by day and beats by night with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Dizzee Rascal, and Ellie Goulding. It was here that she developed a powerful student influencer network and cult student brand, growing the festival to 20k students. She then launched Seed, with a mission to take student marketing to the next level, and built a reputation for delivering game-changing global student campaigns and solutions for brands such as ASOS, Spotify.

SPE C I A L EVE N TS

Friday, 4th March, 17:00

Amali De Alwis CEO of Subak, the world’s first non-profit accelerator that scales climate impact through data, policy and behaviour change. She was previously CEO of Code First: Girls and is a Board member at Ada National College for Digital Skills, the Raspberry Pi Foundation, and Unboxed 2022. She was a founding member at Tech Talent Charter, was named as ‘The most influential woman in UK IT’ by Computer Weekly, and was awarded an MBE in 2019. Abhilasha Purwar Founder and CEO of Blue Sky Analytics, a Climate-Tech start-up using satellite data and AI to build environmental monitoring and climate-risk assessment products. She is a Fulbright scholar, Yale and IIT alum with experience in private equity, big data analytics, product development, and environmental policy. She has worked on building flexible solar cells in Dublin, kickstarting solar products and asset financing startup at PEG Africa, and clean energy investing as an Associate at GoldenSet Capital.

T H E OX F OR D UNI ON

Gowns Over Tails:

Women Who Shaped Union On 9 February 1963, 140 years after its inception, the Oxford Union successfully voted to admit women as members. This historic change allowed inspiring women such as Benazir Bhutto, former Pakistani Prime Minister, to lead the society and host era-defining figures such as Her Majesty The Queen, Mother Teresa, Madeleine Albright, and Malala Yousafzai, for crucial conversations. As the Oxford Union celebrates International Women’s Day, we have invited key figures from the Society’s history to reflect on the role of student activism. How can students drive change in their communities to increase gender equality, and how can debating and free speech be used as a tool to achieve this end?

Victoria Schofield British author and historian. She had a 30-year long friendship with Benazir Bhutto, Ex-President of the Union and Prime Minister of Pakistan. She served as President of the Oxford Union in Trinity 1977, the term after Bhutto. She is now the Chair of The Oxford Literary and Debating Union Trust, and continues to author books. Edwina Currie Former Conservative MP who served as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health under Prime Minister Thatcher. She was Librarian of the Oxford Union whilst studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics at St Anne’s College. Judith Okely The first female member of the Oxford Union. As a PPE undergraduate, she led the campaign for the Oxford Union to admit women. The second vote succeeded, with 1039 Ayes to 427 Noes. She is now a professor of Anthropology and continues to speak on feminism.

SPE C I A L EVE N TS

Monday, 7th March, 17:00

T H E OX F OR D UNI ON 42

Speak WEEK 1

WEEK 2

WEEK 3

WEEK 4

WEEK 5

WEEK 6

WEEK 7

WEEK 8

Each week, the Union hosts individual guests from around the world to address members directly. These events are not only a chance to hear from some of the world’s most celebrated figures, but also a chance to engage with them and ask questions. Keep an eye on our Facebook page and mailing list (which you can join via the website or through emailing enquiries@ oxford-union.org) to stay up-to-date with the latest events and information. Here, we also circulate forms to ballot for a place on our ‘Meet and Greets’, where you can interact with guests in a more intimate setting. The ballot is random and successful members will be notified on the day of the event.

DE BAT E S

kers Guest Policy Unless otherwise stated, members are welcome to bring up to three guests, provided that: 1. The guest is not themselves eligible for membership of the Society 2. The guest pays a £10 entry fee on the door 3. All members who wish to attend have already taken their seats 4. The same guest does not attend more than three times in one term Events will be made exclusive to members when there is a security risk.

Please note that our events are subject to change and that additional speakers may be added to our schedule after the start of term. We hope you’ll find something to interest and inspire you this Hilary!

SPE A K E R S WE E K 1

Sir Geoffrey Tuesday 18th Jan 17:00

Nice QC Chair of Uyghur Tribunal

Sir Geoffrey Nice has been a barrister since 1971, specialising in the fields of international human rights and criminal justice. Working for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, he led the prosecution of Slobodan Milošević. Most recently, Sir Geoffrey Nice chaired the Uyghur Tribunal throughout 2020 and 2021, investigating crimes against humanity. He took silk in 1990, and was knighted in 2007.

SPE A K E R S

Simon Jordan is an English businessman and author who made his fortune as an entrepreneur in the mobile phone industry. In 2000, he purchased Crystal Palace Football Club, to become the youngest ever owner of a football league club, where he remained chairman until 2010. He has also co-founded the car magazine Octane. Simon currently works as a copresenter for TalkSPORT.

Wednesday 19th Jan 17:00

Simon Jordan

Businessman and TalkSPORT Co-Presenter WE E K 1

An American legal scholar known for his expertise in constitutional law and criminal procedure, Akhil Reed Amar holds the position of Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University. He ranks among America’s most-cited legal scholars, from a total including over forty references in the Supreme Court.

Wednesday 19th Jan 20:00 ONLINE

Professor Akhil Reed Amar Leading Constiutional Law Scholar

SPE A K E R S

Awarded the 2002 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, Daniel Kahneman is an Israeli-American psychologist and economist widely known for his work in behavioural psychology. Of particular note are his contributions to prospect theory and heuristics, the latter accomplished alongside Kahneman’s late colleague, Amos Tversky. He received acclaim for his NYT bestseller Thinking, Fast and Slow, and is currently professor emeritus of psychology and public affairs at Princeton University.

Monday 24th Jan 17:00 ONLINE

Professor Daniel Kahneman WE E K 2

Nobel Prize Winner and Author of Thinking, Fast and Slow

Amika George is a British activist who, at age 17, began campaigning against period poverty. The UK government subsequently agreed to provide free menstrual products in all English schools and colleges. For this work she has received global accolades, including a Goalkeeper Campaign Award by Bill and Melinda Gates in conjunction with the UN. Time Magazine has listed her among its 25 most influential teenagers in the world.

Monday 24th Jan 20:00

Amika George MBE Period Poverty Campaigner

SPE A K E R S WE E K 2

Oliver Hart is a Nobel Memorial Prize winning economist, currently the Lewis P. and Linda L. Geyser University Professor of Economics at Harvard University. He is renowned for his work on contract theory, the theory of the firm, corporate finance, and in the fields of law and economics more generally.

Friday 28th Jan 20:00 ONLINE

Professor Oliver Hart Nobel Memorial Prize Winning Economist

SPE A K E R S

Edward Enninful OBE has since 2017 been Editor-inChief at Vogue. At the age of 18, he became a fashion director at i-D, the youngest ever fashion director for an international publication. Acclaimed for his activism on racial inequalities in the fashion industry, he led Vogue Italia’s first ever “Black Issue”. His efforts have also met commercial success, increasing digital readership by 51% from 2017-2020.

Monday 31st Jan 18:00

Edward Enninful OBE WE E K 3

British Vogue Editor-in-Chief

Walter Isaacson is an American author, journalist and professor at Tulane University. Selected as one of the Time 100 in 2012, he has been president and CEO of the Aspen Institute, a nonpartisan policy studies organization based in Washington, D.C., the chair and CEO of CNN, and the editor of Time Magazine. Isaacson is also known for his biographies of prominent figures including Albert Einstein and Steve Jobs.

Monday 31st Jan 20:00 ONLINE

Walter Isaacson American Author and Journalist

SPE A K E R S

Aloe Blacc American Musician and Activist

Aloe Blacc is an American musician. Best known for his chart-topping singles I Need a Dollar, The Man, with additional writing and vocal credits on Avicii’s Wake Me Up, he has most recently performed as one half of the hip-hop duo Emanon. Outside of the music industry, Blacc has worked with Malaria No More to engage leaders, gain public support, and deliver life-saving tools and education to families across Africa.

Tuesday 1st Feb 17:00

WE E K 32

ONLINE

Ambassador Matthew Barzun Former US Ambassador to UK and Sweden Matthew Barzun served as the US Ambassador to the United Kingdom and to Sweden. As National Finance Chair for Barack Obama, he pioneered new modes of democratic participation in politics. In the 1990s he helped found CNET Networks, and more recently has authored The Power of Giving Away Power.

Wednesday, 2nd Feb, 20:00 ONLINE

SPE A K E R S

Max Fosh is a comedian and radio presenter with 571k subscribers on YouTube, where he rose to prominence through his Street Smart channel. He was named as Best Newcomer of the Year at the 2017 HBA National Radio Awards, and contested the 2021 London mayoral election.

Friday 4th Feb 17:00

WE E K 3

Max Fosh Youtuber and London Mayoral Candidate

James Green was NASA Chief Scientist through several of the agency’s most significant missions. He oversaw New Horizons’ flyby of Pluto, the dispatch of MESSENGER for Mercury, and Curiosity’s successful landing on Mars. He has also advised the media on space, including the 2015 film The Martian.

Friday 4th Feb 20:00 ONLINE

Dr James Green Former Chief Scientist at NASA 50

SPE A K E R S WE E K 4

Zak Brown CEO of McLaren Racing

Monday 7th Feb 17:00

Zak Brown is an American businessman and entrepreneur, currently CEO of McLaren Racing. He enjoyed a ten-year career driving in GP motorsport, after which he founded Just Marketing International. Additionally, he is currently chairman and co-founder of racing team United Autosports.

SPE A K E R S

Ndaba Mandela is an entrepreneur and author. He has established a reputation of his own whilst working to further his father’s legacy, founding the Mandela Institute for Humanity and Africa Rising Foundation, both seeking to empower young Africans in their continent’s future. He is a long-serving global ambassador with UNAIDS, and has worked closely with the African Union.

Tuesday 8th Feb 20:00 ONLINE

WE E K 4

Ndaba Mandela Founder of Mandela institute

Dame Sally Davies is the first female Master of Trinity College, Cambridge. She served as Chief Medical Officer for England, and before that was Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health. In 2019, she was appointed as the UK Special Envoy on Antimicrobial Resistance, where she represents the UK internationally.

Wednesday 9th Feb 17:00 ONLINE

Dame Sally Davies UK Chief Medical Officer

SPE A K E R S WE E K 4

Wednesday 9th Feb 20:00 ONLINE

Robert Mazur US Special Agent

Robert Mazur developed his expertise on money laundering through five years working undercover against Colombian drug gangs - among them, Pablo Escobar’s Medellin cartel. In 2009, he published a memoir detailing his experiences, and presently works for the US government as a special agent.

SPE A K E R S

Barbara Boxer is an influential figure in American liberal politics. She represented California in the US Senate for 24 years before retiring in 2017. She continues to advocate strongly for feminist and Jewish causes, alongside progressive issues ranging from marriage equality to environmentalism and gun control.

Tuesday 15th Feb 17:00 ONLINE

WE E K 5

Senator Barbara Boxer Former US Senator

FARMING A NEW APPROACH TO SPIRITS

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PROUD PARTNERS OF THE OXFORD UNION

SPE A K E R S

Martin is a British cosmologist and astrophysicist. He is the fifteenth Astronomer Royal, and was previously master of Trinity College, Cambridge, and President of the Royal Society. In his academic career, Martin has authored over 500 research papers and has previously been a trustee of both the British and Science Museums.

Tuesday 15th Feb 20:00 ONLINE

Lord Martin Rees WE E K 5

British Cosmologist and Former President of the Royal Society

English actor known for his role in several BBC sketch shows and sitcoms, including Gavin and Stacey, The Catherine Tate Show, 20 Things to do Before You’re 30, Teachers, Horne and Corden, and Bad Education. Beginning his career as a comedian in the comedy duo Mat and MacKinnon, he was nominated for Best Male Comedy Newcomer at the 2007 British Comedy Awards.

Wednesday 16th Feb 17:00

Matt Horne Star of Gavin and Stacey

SPE A K E R S WE E K 5

Maisie Peters

Singer-songwriter

Friday 18th Feb 20:00

Maisie Peters is an English singer and songwriter known for her relatable, candid music, and innovative storytelling. After garnering attention from the likes of Taylor Swift, Peters joined Ed Sheeran’s record label in 2021. The duo worked closely together and wrote Psycho as a single for Peters’ 2021 debut album You Signed Up For This. The album debuted at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart. Peters’ songs have accumulated over half a billion streams globally.

SPE A K E R S

HRH Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud Saudi Ambassador to the UK Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud is the Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom and a member of the House of Saud. An Oxford Alumnus, having studied at Pembroke College, he has worked in the United Nations and was previously the Saudi Ambassador to Germany. In 2006, he established Dayim Holdings as an investment and operating platform to create local and international companies in the Kingdom and Gulf states. He attended Sandhurst Military Academy and graduated as a commissioned officer. WE E K 6

Monday 21st Feb 20:00

Sir Peter Lampl OBE Founder of the Sutton Trust Sir Peter Lampl is a British businessman and philanthropist. He began his career at the Boston Consulting Group and later went on to found the Sutton Company, a private equity firm. In the wake of the Dunblane massacre in 1996, Sir Lampl helped fund a campaign which led to the complete ban of handguns in Britain. He has also engaged in extensive philanthropy in the education sector, creating the Sutton Trust which works to improve educational opportunities for children from underprivileged backgrounds.

Tuesday, 22nd Feb, 17:00 57

SPE A K E R S

His Majesty King Letsie III King of Lesotho

WE E K 6

King Letsie III has served as King of Lesotho since 1990 and has had a large impact on the country during this time. His Majesty studied at the National University of Lesotho, where he graduated with a BA in Law.

Tuesday 22nd Feb 20:00

Peter Thiel is a billionaire venture capitalist and entrepreneur. A co-founder of Paypal, Palantir Technologies, and Founders Fund, he was the first outside investor in Facebook. As of January 2022, Thiel has an estimated net worth of $9.13 billion and was ranked 279th on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Thiel also supports nonprofit research into AI, life extension, and seasteading.

Wednesday, 23rd Feb, 17:00

Peter Thiel

Co-founder of Paypal

SPE A K E R S WE E K 7

Sir Robert John Sawers Former Chief of MI6

Monday 28th Feb 20:00

Sir Robert John Sawers is a British intelligence officer, diplomat and civil servant. He was Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service MI6, a position he held from November 2009 until November 2014. He was previously the British Permanent Representative to the United Nations from August 2007 to November 2009. Sawers was a key opposition figure against the UK government’s decision not to intervene to a greater degree in Syria during his tenure.

SPE A K E R S WE E K 7

Anne Boden MBE Founder of Starling Bank

Tuesday 1st March 17:00

Anne Boden is a Welsh entrepreneur and the first woman to found a UK bank. After a successful period working with Allied Irish Banks, Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland, she set up Starling Bank in 2014. Since then, the mobile-only establishment has won the Best British Bank award four times. In 2018, Anne Boden received an MBE for her contribution to the financial technology sector.

SPE A K E R S

EU ambassador to the United States since 2019, Stavros Lambrinidis is a Greek lawyer and politician. He started his career in 1994 in Greece by being a special advisor to the prime minister George A. Papandreou. In 2011, he served as the minister for foreign affairs in Greece. He then worked for seven years as EU Special Representative for Human Rights, before assuming his current role.

Wednesday 2nd March 17:00 ONLINE

Stavros Lambrinidis WE E K 7

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece

Deputy Governor of the Bank of England since 2013, Sir John Cunliffe is a senior British civil servant. Serving in the Treasury since 1998, he was successively Deputy Director for International Finance and Managing director of Macroeconomic Policy and International Finance. In 2007, he was appointed Head of the European and Global Issues Secretariat, where he was the Prime Minister’s Advisor on International Economic Affairs and on the EU.

Wednesday, 2nd March, 20:00

Sir Jon Cunliffe Bank of England Deputy Govenor and Former British Representative to the EU

SPE A K E R S

Touker Suleyman

WE E K 8

Dragons’ Den’ Star and Entrepreneur Touker Suleyman is a British-Turkish Cypriot fashion retail entrepreneur, investor, and television personality. His company Low Profile Group purchased UK shirt maker Hawes and Curtis in 2001, and he purchased UK fashion label Ghost in 2002. Since then, he has invested in a number of start-up companies including Bikesoup and Huxley and Cox. Since 2015 he has been in the public eye as a dragon on the British reality television programme Dragon’s Den.

Monday 7th March 20:00 Lord Dyson is a former British judge and barrister, and honorary fellow of Wadham College. Called to the bar in 1968, he took silk in 1982 and became a bencher in 1990. He served on the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom as the first ever justice who was not appointed as a peer, before serving as the Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice from 2012 to 2016.

Wednesday, 9th March, 17:00

The Rt Hon. Lord John Dyson Former Master of Rolls and Supreme Court Justice 62

SPE A K E R S WE E K 8

Slavoj Žižek Slovenian Philosopher and Author

Friday 11th March 17:00

A Slovenian Philosopher and leading figure of the academic left, Zizek is one of the most important modern figures of Hegelianism. He is a researcher and the International Director of the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities. Listed by Foreign Policy in 2012 among the Top 100 Global Thinkers, he has gained international recognition for his critical analysis of popular culture and capitalist societies. His most recent books include Pandemic!, which discusses a new form of communism that may be the only way of averting a descent into global barbarism. Zizek has also previously been criticised for his approach to transgender issues.

SPE A K E R S TBC

Time TBC

Chamath Palihapitya Venture Capitalist and SPAC Sponsor

Chamath Palihapitiya is a Sri Lankan-born Canadian venture capitalist, engineer, SPAC sponsor, and the founder and CEO of Social Capital. He was a senior executive at Facebook, after which he started The Social+Capital Partnership, through which he invested in several companies, including Yammer and Slack. Since 2017 he has been a pioneer of the SPAC revolution, helping to take companies such as Virgin Galactic public. Palihapitiya is also the host of the All In podcast, where he discusses commercial news and current events.

SPE A K E R S

Makhdoom Shah

Mahmood Qureshi Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Qureshi is currently serving his second term as foreign minister of Pakistan. Now recognised as one of the country’s most experienced politicians, in a career starting in 1983 he has engaged with issues on every level of government and diplomacy. Expect him to discuss challenging foreign policy questions, from Pakistan’s relationship with the USA and China, to the avoidance of war with India, and now the Taliban regime on his northern border.

TBC

Time TBC

Sir Ben Ainslie CBE Olympic Sailor Sir Ben Ainslie is the most decorated sailor of all time, having won five Olympic medals across five separate games. He carried the flag for Team GB in the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics and is now the CEO of INEOS Brittania, the British team for the Atlantic Cup. Sir Ben was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2009 and was Knighted in 2013 for services to sailing.

Time TBC

SPE A K E R S

INF OR M AT I ON

Socials We’re excited to present a calendar of socials that should bring some colour to the grey days of Hilary term, from our Burns Night Ceilidh in second week, to our Pink Week karaoke night (vocal talent not required). If a first or a blue aren’t on the horizon, you might even find a spouse at our Valentine’s day social, or, if you’re just looking to meet a new friend, join us at our weekly access events.. That’s just the start of it, so read on for our full calendar — we’ve got something for everyone. Pub Quizzes Burns Supper & Ceilidh Gin Tasting Lunar New Year Social Karaoke Night Valentine’s Day Social Film Night Drag Show by Miss Take Open Mic Street Food Festival Jazz Night

69 70 71 72 72 73 73 74 75 75 76

Holi Social Spring Soirée Graduates’ Night International Night Disalili-tea Snacks & Chats Diversity Drinks LGBTQIA+ Debating Night Women’s & N-B Debate Night Moonlit Garden Ball

76 77 78 78 78 78 78 79 79 80

The Oxford Union presents Hilary Ball '22

Black Tie

Ticket Release: 1:00 pm 28th Jan

St Michael's St

8:30 pm 11th Feb

Information Treasurer’s Treats

Library

Competitive Debating

Bar & Snooker Room 86 Accessibility

Meet the Committee

87 88

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Treasurer’s Treats Make the most of your membership: enjoy these exclusive offers by presenting your membership card. If you experience any issues in using the discounts, please contact the Treasurer, Ahmad Nawaz, by sending an email to treasurer@oxford-union.org. All discounts can be found on the Oxford Union app. Restaurants

Ask Italian Bella Italia Benito’s Hat Burrows & Hare Byron Burgers Chutney’s Dirty Bones Heat, African Restaurant Kebab King! Mamma Mia Pizzeria Pizza Pilgrims Plants and Grills Thaikhun Tommi’s Burger Joint Victors

Cafes

Barefoot Cafe Creme Happy Cakes iScream Gelateria Moo-Moo’s Moshi Opera Cafe PAUL The Oxford Wine Cafe Tree Artisan Cafe Vaults & Garden Café

Bars and Pubs

Angels Dodo Pubs House Bar Oxford Wine Company Sandys Piano Bar The Alchemist

Other

Deep Meditate App T M Lewin Western computer group

25% Discount 30% Discount 20% Discount 10% Discount 30% Discount 15% Discount Sunday-Wednesday 25% Discount & £5 Signature Cocktail Sunday-Thursday 20% Discount 20% Discount 15% Discount £10 Pizza & a Drink 20% Discount 20% Discount 25% Discount 20% Discount 15% Discount 10% Discount 15% Discount 10% Discount 10% Discount 15% Discount (after 15:00) 5% Discount 20% Discount 10% Discount 20% Discount 10% Discount 10% Discount £5 Pizzas (Monday-Thursday 12:00-15:00) All Day Happy Hour 10% Discount 25% Discount (Sunday - Thursday) 10% Discount Free Premium membership for OU members!!! Special Oxford Union Suit Deal 10% Discount

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Competitive Debating Debating at the Union isn’t reserved for Thursday nights. The Union’s competitive debating squad is one of the largest and most successful in the world. Last year, an Oxford team won the European Universities Debating Championships, where four speakers placed in the top ten. Oxford Debating offers something for every level, from total novices to world champions, and will take place in person in Hilary.

coaches provide a one-on-one development and strengthening programme. We do not just practice debating at Oxford; we also fully fund teams of both novices and experienced debaters to attend competitions nationally and internationally, both online and in person. Finally, we host the Oxford IV, one of the largest debating competitions in Europe, the Oxford Wom*n’s and Gender Minorites Open, and organise a schools’ competition that takes place across the country and beyond. If you have any questions, or want to sign up for workshops or squads, please contact the Chair of Debate Selection Committee, Andrew Chen, at cdsc@oxford-union.org.

For those new to debating, our Beginners’ Workshops run every Sunday evening at the Union and are open to all members. These consist of a presentation designed to target specific debating skills, alongside practice debates judged by some of Oxford’s most experienced debaters. If you haven’t debated before, they are the perfect place to start. For those with more experience, our Intermediate and Advanced squads run on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at the Union, where our

To sign up to the mailing list for weekly updates – including information on weekly training and how to attend tournaments – send a blank email to debate-announce-subscribe@maillist.ox.ac.uk. You can also find out more on the Oxford Debating Facebook page or by joining the Oxford Debaters Facebook group.

INF OR M AT I ON

Library Old Library Term Time Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 09:30- 19:00 Saturday: 11:00 - 17:00 The Librarian’s Book Club will meet on Tuesdays. Join us to meet fellow bookworms and discuss a variety of texts. To sign up or suggest Book Club authors, please email the Librarian (librarian@oxford-union.org). The Union’s old debating chamber now houses one of the most beautiful libraries in Oxford. Our Library offers a variety of resources, ranging from texts across all academic disciplines to non-academic resources such magazines, travel guides, newspapers and DVDs. Owned and run by the members, the

Library takes book requests weekly, so it’s great for niche interests, textbooks or the vital text on your reading list, which has disappeared from everywhere else. Whether you are planning your emergency debate speech or writing an essay before tomorrow’s deadline, the individual desks and cosy armchairs, below our stunning collection of Pre-Raphelite murals, make the Library a joy to study in. The Union Buildings also offer several other, more informal study spaces: the Goodman Library, the Gladstone Room (furnished with Gladstone’s original cabinet desk), the Macmillan Room and the TV Room. These rooms provide a relaxed atmosphere where you can study with friends and catch up in the centre of Oxford.

INF OR M AT I ON

Bar & Snooker Room Term Time Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am until Late Our Lunch Menu is Served: Mon-Fri: 11.30-14.30 Coffees, cakes, a homemade lunch menu, and drinks are all avaliable at our Member’s Bar. Our weekly cocktails and regular social events make it the perfect place to meet friends - and a cheap one too, with a 25% members discount and some of the lowest prices in Oxford.

Often, speakers will join students in the bar after their address for a drink and an informal chat, giving members a unique opportunity to come together to discuss and debate. The Snooker Room houses two full-sized snooker tables, which can be booked by members at any time. The room is open all day and is the perfect place to unwind after studying. Stay tuned for our snooker tournaments this term! Please email our House Manager, Scott, (bar@oxford-union.org) with any questions or suggestions.

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Accessibility The Oxford Union is dedicated to ensuring our Society is as accessible as possible to all of our members. If you ever have any queries or questions regarding accessibility, you can contact our Senior Access Officer, Ethan Dodd, at ethan.dodd@oxford-union.org. You can also raise thoughts and suggestions at Access Committee, which takes place at 1pm every Friday during term-time. ACCESSIBILITY PASS POLICY AND EVENT ACCESS

TERMLY ACCESSIBILITY CONSULTATION

Any member who has accessibility requirements is entitled to request reasonable adjustments. The revamped Accessibility Pass Policy form is available on the Rules and Policies page of our website, with the PDF detailing the process.

The Consultation is a survey for all of our members to hear your input on accessibility at the Union and your suggestions for the future. The survey usually takes less than 5 minutes to complete, and provides invaluable feedback for Standing and Access Committees.

For any accessibility queries regarding events, you can get in touch with the House Manager at bar@oxford-union.org, and the CCC, Sharon Chau, at ccc@oxford-union.org. We can ensure there is a space reserved for a wheelchair, reserve a seat for those with guide dogs or make any other necessary adjustments to ensure events are accessible.

Look out for the Consultation, which is usually released in 3rd week.

We have a hearing aid loop, and you should switch your hearing aid to ‘T’ to access this.

INF OR M AT I ON

The Oxford Union Committee

President Molly Mantle St. Hugh’s

Librarian Rachel Ojo University

President-Elect Michael-Akolade Ayodeji University

Treasurer Ahmad Nawaz Lady Margaret Hall

Librarian-Elect Charlie Mackintosh New

Secretary Anjali Ramanathan Christ Church

Treasurer-Elect Naman Gupta Merton

Standing Committee Alex Fish Hertford

Daniel Dipper Magdalen

Larissa Koerber Mansfield

Joshua Chima Mansfield

Jacobus Petersen St. Peter’s

Secretary’s Committee

Justin Hayto Linacre

Jenny Grehan-Bradley Hertford

Jana Everett Wadham

Lukas Seifert Christ Church

Emma Zinkin Keble

Disha Hegde St. John’s

Victor Lamotte St. Peter’s

Matthew Dick Magdalen

Anvee Bhutani Magdalen

Alex Garcia Balliol

Nicole Reid New

INF OR M AT I ON

Appointed Officials & Staff

CCC Sharon Chau University

Returning Officer Eden Smith Magdalen

Chief of Staff Lucy Banks New

Senior Access Officer Ethan Dodd St. Hilda’s

Director of Press Director of Tanvi Communications Kanchinadam Maddy Colbourn St. Peter’s Keble

CDSC Director of Strategy Director of Research

Andrew Chen Matt Barrett Darian Murray-Griffiths

Junior Access Officer Communities Officer Disabilities Officer Ethnic Minorities Officer Graduate Officer International Officer LGBTQIA+ Officer Socioeconomic Officer Women’s Officer Press and Sponsorship Officers

Theo Sergiou Vedika Rastogi Israr Khan Bartek Trzos Alfred Dry Rosalie Chapman Jeea Chadha Andrew Chen, Chris Collins, Sandhya Das Thuraisingham, Spencer Chianyu Shia, Immanuel Smith, Arif Struthers

Guest Liaison Officers

Chloe Glynn, Lucas Hooper, Joshua Platt, Liberty Osborne, Nathan Weiner

First Lady

Antonio Pattori

Graphic Design

Maria Lambert, www.graphicsbymaria.co.uk

Front Cover Design Kanengo

Staff Bursar House Manager Librarian-in-Charge Events Manager Accounts Manager

Trustees Mark Herbert Scott Chamberlain Thomas Corrick Joanne Morgan Rob Phillips

Dr Tim Myatt, Senior Librarian Dr Sarah Beaver, Senior Treasurer Hon. Peter Jay Dr Jeya Wilson

Chief Mouser to the President’s Office The Last Mongoose, Butler

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President’s Thanks My time in the Union is something I will remember forever, and I will cherish the lessons I have learnt here. Whatever else I look back on, it is the people I met along the way who have made my time here so special. I have more thanks than I know how to give but I hope this goes some way towards explaining my gratitude. I couldn’t have done it without you. This term—and indeed any term here—would not be possible without the endless commitment from the staff, especially Mark, Michèle, Sarah, Tim, Tom, Scott. And to JH, NS, J, R & M—thanks for all the backup. To all my Committee (and all my kids!) thank you for your tireless work and enthusiasm, and for pretending not to notice when I sent you questions at 4am. I am especially grateful to my senior team, CCC and incredible Officers for bringing so much to this Term Card. I can’t wait to boast about knowing all of you. To the hundreds of the people who helped me on my way here, thank you endlessly. To everyone I ran with and to everyone who chose to run with me on ONE and Create, I learnt so much from you. REACH, thank you for showing me how incredible you all are. RO, AN & AC, you have my whole heart. I couldn’t have done this with anyone else—and I wouldn’t want to. To everyone who voted for me and to those who looked out for me during elections—thank you for believing in me when it really mattered. You will never know what a difference it made. I have crossed paths with so many wonderful friends over the last two years—AWW, DP, DD especially— thank you for hanging out with me. There’s no one I would rather sip soup with. CX, thank you for being a friend; we didn’t expect it but I’m forever grateful for your guidance. ASC, who would have thought a pod brother could be so great? Thank you for seeing me through some of my worst and for being some of my best.

RO World never gets thanked enough and this will not rectify that, but thank you to all of you for putting up with me, for telling the truth when I couldn’t find it elsewhere, and for all you do to keep this place afloat. Though I hope you never come across an evidence folder in the same state again, I know you will. To SD & MJ, thank you for giving me so many hours, so selflessly. I wouldn’t be here without you. To JEP, thank you for all of it. And BB, this is all your fault, and I will never stop thanking you for it. Thank you for being a friend, a mum, and a role model all at once. E(a)S. You deserve pages of thanks from every member but especially from me - I couldn’t have asked for a better partner in (legal and fair) crime. I will always, always remember when it was you. For your sagacity, dedication, and most of all for your friendship.… Throw out scarf in show of gratitude (5,3) To my ‘real life’ friends who have loved me through this term and the last two years. To everyone at Hugh’s, my college families, both actual and adopted, thank you for all the fun! To Girls’ House, I can’t wait to be back—thank you for putting up with me and keeping me sane. Thank you IH—you have emotionally supported this Term Card more than any first-term member should. Thank you ALP for being a wonderful First Lady and so much more, to SB for being the perfect amount of fun and good-for-me, and to KD—I don’t know why the universe put us together, but I have benefitted from it every day. To JB, it was definitely memorable, and a lot of fun. And obviously, CM, thank you for making my first trip to the Union memorable enough to bring me back. To my family, and to the people who will never read this but to whom I will always be grateful (BS, AS, SA, SJ, SH, NKC), thank you for everything you’ve taught me and for always being there for me to come home to. I hope I make you proud. Finally, to MK – you have been so brave and I’m so proud of you. I hope it gets even more exciting, even if it never gets easier. Stick with it.

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Events Subject to Change Without Notice

Term Planner Sunday

Debates

Monday

3rd 4th 5

Prof Daniel Kahneman: 17:00 Amika George: 20:00

Edward Enninful: 18:00 Walter Isaacson: 20:00

7th 8th

Aloe Blacc: 17:00

Matthew

Lunar New Year: 21:00

Karaoke

FEB 1

Dame S Robert M

Pub Quiz #2: 21:00

FEB 6

FEB 20

FEB 27

MARCH 6

FEB 8

FEB 7 Robbie Lyle: 17:00 Valentine’s Day Social: 21:00

FEB 13

Holocau

JAN 25

Zak Brown: 17:00

6th

Burns Supper & Ceilidh: 21:00

JAN 31

JAN 30

Simon J Akhil Am

JAN 18

JAN 24

JAN 23

Geoffrey Nice QC: 17:00

JAN 17

JAN 16

2nd

Tuesday

Pub Quiz #1: 21:00

Special Events

Barbara boxer: 17:00 Lord Martin Rees: 20:00

Mathew Miss Ta

FEB 15

FEB 14 Disability Tea: 15:30 Disability panel: 17:00 HRH Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud: 20:00

Sir Peter Lampl: 17:00

Peter Th

His Majesty King Letsie III: 20:00

Film Nig

Street Food Fair Sir Robert John Sawers: 20:00 Gin Tasting: 21:00

Anne Boden MBE: 17:00

Women in the Union Panel: 17:00 Touker Suleyman: 20:00

Women’s workshop and open debate

FEB 21

FEB 28

MARCH 7

FEB 22

MARCH 1

MARCH 8

Stavros Sir Jon C Jazz in t

John Dy Spring S

Speakers (in person)

ednesday

Thursday

Jordan: 17:00 mar: 20:00

Commonwealth Debate: 20:30

Friday

Capitalism Debate: 20:30

Other

Saturday

Town V Gown

JAN 21

JAN 20

JAN 19

ust Panel: 17:00

Speakers (online)

Prof Oliver Hart: 17:00

JAN 22 Graduate Officer Social: 20:00

Gin Tasting: 21:00

w Barzun: 20:00

Max Fosh: 17:00 Dr James Green: 20:00

Mars Debate: 20:30

e: 21:15

HILARY BALL: 20.30

Porn Debate: 20:30

Religion Debate: 20:30

Prisons Debate: 20:30

hiel: 17:00

ght: 21:15

FEB 23

Whatever Necessary Debate: 20:30

yson: 17:00 Soiree: 21:00

Women Debate: 20:30

MARCH 2

MARCH 9

FEB 18 Responsible Business Panel: 17:00 Soapbox Social: 21:00

FEB 25

FEB 24

s Lambrinidis: 17:00 Cunliffe: 20:00 the Bar: 21:00

MARCH 3

MARCH 10

Queer Debating Night: 20:00

FEB 5

FEB 12

Maisie Peters: 20:00

FEB 17

FEB 16

JAN 29

International Night: 20:00

FEB 11

FEB 10

FEB 9

w Horne: 17:00 ake: 21:30

FEB 4

FEB 3

FEB 2

Sally Davies: 17:00 Mazur: 20:00

JAN 28

JAN 27

JAN 26

Women in Climate Tech panel: 17:00 Holi Social: 21:00 Society Elections

MARCH 4

FEB 19 Snacks and Chats: 20:00

FEB 26 Diversity Drinks: 20:00

MARCH 5

Slavoj Zizek: 17:00

MARCH 11

MARCH 12

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