From the cost-of-living crisis to the war in Ukraine, and from culture wars to institutions in meltdown, this has been a year of enormous challenges. Yet our political leaders – only recently in some turmoil themselves – don’t seem up to the task, and many people feel like their voices aren’t being heard. We need to get beyond lurching from one emergency to another and start moving society forward. We must understand what has been happening, with an eye to shaping a better future.
The aim of the Battle of Ideas festival and events is to provide an opportunity to debate the issues in a full and frank manner, bringing together a wide variety of voices and, most importantly, creating a space for everyone to have their say.
The Battle of Ideas festival is an intellectual journey, with many different routes to take through it. With scores of debates and hundreds of speakers, there will be much to enjoy for everyone on an enormous range of issues.
The Battle of Ideas festival is serious, fun, inspiring and much more. But don’t take it from us – what makes it unique is that it is not simply about listening to academics and commentators telling you what they think. For us, the audience IS the festival, and we actively encourage you to have your say, to challenge other people’s ideas and be challenged yourself.
If you’re sick of shouting at the telly, and a weekend of civil but passionate debate in-the-flesh sounds up your street, don’t hesitate: grab your ticket for 15 & 16 October in London, 5 November in Buxton or look out for our events across the UK and Europe and get stuck into the debate. Let Battle commence.
SESSIONS INCLUDE:
Do the culture wars matter? · Enough is enough? Challenging the cost-of-living crisis · Post-Cold War: Russia and its demons · from zero-Covid to ‘let it rip’: did anyone do Covid right? · Rwanda or bust? The future of UK border control · Age of ‘isms’: what happened to ideology? · The trans teen trend: a case of social contagion? · Climate emergency: catastrophe or catastrophising? · Sanitised or modernised: staging Shakespeare today · Trade unions: throwback, comeback or fightback? · From indyref2 to a border poll: are we afraid of democracy? · Trust me I’m your doctor: are GPs in crisis? · Globalism in crisis: has Davos Man had his day?
Find out more and buy tickets via the Battle of Ideas festival website.
