SPRING 2018 DIALOGUE 100 YEARS of communicating for a brighter future

ALUMNI STORIES KT Tunstall Anita Anand Edward Stourton Sir Nicholas Mostyn Abie Philbin Bowman

THE FUTURE OF ORACY Will voice technologies render us mute?

VOICES AROUND THE WORLD How the International Public Speaking Competition has changed lives FROM THE CHAIRMAN DISCOVER DEBATING A centenary message from our Chairman HELPING STUDENTS DISCOVER THEIR VOICE LORD PAUL BOATENG Do your students have trouble communicating their ideas? Do they find it difficult to express how they feel, or struggle to understand the viewpoints of others? If so, ne hundred years ago, after a devastating war, from the society of which we all need to be a part. our Discover Debating programme can help. our founders sought to make a better life for all This plays into another challenge, too. The world is Offered as a two- or three-term curriculum, by promoting effective communication in the changing. There has never been a greater need for global it encourages confidence about speaking up English language, and encouraging global dialogue and understanding. Technology purports to make and teaches important active listening skills. Odialogue through increasing personal connectivity. communication easier (see page 16), but there is more to Research shows oracy interventions at I learnt early on the power of language. My father communication than posting something on the internet or was a lawyer and subsequently an activist in the struggle sending a tweet. True communication is not just expressing younger ages are particularly effective for independence of what was then the Gold Coast. He was what you feel but listening and responding to how the and Discover Debating addresses this. a rhetorician, known for his use of language, no doubt in other person feels (see page 34). Debate teaches that. A fun, games-led programme aimed at part inspired by Winston Churchill’s speeches, of which What we must do as a society is to create safe spaces primary schools, it encourages students to he had the complete collection. where it is possible to exchange ideas without the threat discuss a wide range of topical issues with I learnt the power of language more viscerally still of abuse and denigration. Only this will provide the basis for an open mind, and delivers demonstrable when my mother, sister and I were forced true understanding and comprehension, and progress in literacy and oracy. to flee to England after my father was ‘WE WANT TO for intellectual and emotional development. As part of our centenary year, and our taken away at gunpoint. We ended up The English-Speaking Union has always on a council estate in Hemel Hempstead, ENSURE NO ONE been a membership charity and we are ongoing mission to target those most where I found it very difficult to adjust. enormously grateful to all our members in need of oracy skills, we are offering IS EXCLUDED Debating – in fact the English-Speaking for their continuing support. For our next Discover Debating free to state primary FROM THE Union’s Schools’ Mace competition – 100 years we want to increase our numbers, schools with indicators of the greatest came to my rescue. My partner and I won, SOCIETY OF so that more people are able to access the social need. and it gave me confidence that I could be WHICH WE communication skills we offer, and the By giving teachers the resources and skills a winner in a strange land. I’ve never ALL NEED TO opportunities for informed, global dialogue to set up their own debate clubs (including really looked back. that we promote. Not everyone has time lesson plans, CPD and mentor support), the I realised early on that being able to BE A PART’ to attend meetings, so we must find new programme creates a sustainable culture communicate, to articulate a cause, and membership models that allow for of debating in schools where this has not to listen and respond to your opponents was desperately meaningful discussion and co-operation; bringing together important and much more to do with empowerment than and galvanising all those who share our unshakeable belief traditionally been the case. ‘Our children have a lot to mere speech. I realised that if you deny people the in the transformative power of language. To sign up or for more say, but often they don’t have opportunity to become self-empowered then you condemn I hope that in our centenary year, when we honour our information please visit them to the margins of society, and there are far too many founders and their vision, you will actively join us in laying a people in this position today. foundation in resource and thinking so that our programmes esu.org/discover-debating or the tools with which to say it. The English-Speaking Union works to combat this, continue to be accessible to those who need them most. telephone 020 7529 1564. Discover Debating gives them increasingly providing oracy resources in schools and There can be no greater gift than to give to others what those tools, and now they communities which have no tradition of public speaking and we have ourselves been blessed with – a voice. debating, and to students who have most to gain. As part of our feel more confident in how to centenary year, we are delighted to offer Discover Debating, our flagship programme, free to over 100 state primary schools with express themselves.’ indicators of the greatest social need. As far as we are able, JAN KNIGHT, TEACHER we want to ensure that no one, for any reason, is excluded PAUL BOATENG, CHAIRMAN

Spring 2018 100.esu.org 3 KT TUNSTALL CONTENTS SINGER-SONGWRITER 100 years of the ESU 10 AND MUSICIAN The people and places that have DISCOVERING VOICES GENERAL ENQUIRIES Page 22 Fiona Robinson played a part in our history… CHANGING LIVES: 020 7529 1550 • [email protected] DIRECTOR-GENERAL’S OFFICE News 45 ALUMNI STORIES Kay Dacey, Executive Assistant Including the launch of the 020 7529 1561 • [email protected] From boosting confidence to ESU’s new centenary microsite EDUCATION kick-starting a career in broadcasting, Duncan Partridge, Director of Education 020 7529 1570 • [email protected] music or comedy, our oracy Anna England-Kerr, Head of Debating Programmes 020 7529 1573 • [email protected] programmes and cultural exchanges Melanie Aplin, Head of International Programmes 020 7529 1591 • [email protected] open up a world of opportunity. Maia Gibbs, Head of Education Network Look out for our alumni’s stories 020 7529 1593 • [email protected] MEMBERSHIP throughout the magazine. Alex Bailey, Head of Branch Education Liason 020 7529 1586 • [email protected] Gail Featherstone, Membership Officer 020 7529 1585 • [email protected]

VENUE HIRE ENQUIRIES MEMBERS & BRANCHES Harbour + Jones at Dartmouth House 020 7529 1578 • [email protected] 36 A Safe Refuge 10 ALUMNI One Bristol branch member tells Alex Orpin, Senior Alumni Officer DEBATE us the story of his evacuation to ANITA ANAND ABIE PHILBIN 020 7529 1569 • [email protected] BROADCASTER BOWMAN the US thanks to the ESU FUNDRAISING From the mic to the like 16 AND AUTHOR COMEDIAN AND The benefits and dangers of social platforms Ian Stokes, Director of Development 39 Spotlight on … Page 8 JOURNALIST 020 7529 1588 • [email protected] becoming the podiums in our pockets Marjorie Page of the Page 40 COMMUNICATIONS South Wales branch Anna Quenby, Director of Communications 18 What would you speak out about? 020 7529 1561 • [email protected] Have your say – and don't miss our 42 It’s in your gift Lucy McDonnell, Head of Editorial 020 7529 1575 • [email protected] free teaching resources Leaving a legacy is your chance Sarah Matthews, Digital Marketing Manager to make a lasting impact This house would… 20 020 7529 1579 • [email protected] Limit CEOs’ salaries to ten times FINANCE 50 Who’s Who at the ESU? Tim Morris, Interim Director of Finance that of their lowest-paid employee Say hello to some of our members, 020 7529 1567 • [email protected] governors and staff Victoria Kobus, Finance Manager Will voice-technologies render us mute? 34 020 7529 1581 • [email protected] Is the rise of voice-assisted ‘caring robots’ Dialogue is published by the the nail in the coffin of conversation? English-Speaking Union, Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London, W1J 5ED EDWARD STOURTON www.esu.org INTERNATIONAL PRESENTER AND Twitter: @theESU Facebook: The English-Speaking Union BROADCASTER Like mother, like daughter 24 Managing Editor: Lucy McDonnell Two generations on their experiences of the SIR NICHOLAS 020 7529 1575 • [email protected] Secondary School Exchange MOSTYN Consultant Editor: Natasha Goodfellow HIGH COURT JUDGE Design: Zed Creative www.zedcreative.co.uk Art Director: Lee Penton The ESU quiz 26 Page 32 Art Editors: Stuart Mabbett, Kieron Lewis Test your knowledge of the cultures and countries Account Managers: Matthew Jenns, Maria Parker that form the ESU’s international network Every effort is made to ensure that information in Dialogue is accurate and correct. However, the ESU voices around the world 29 BILAL MAHMOOD English-Speaking Union accepts no responsibility for How the International Public Speaking SOLICITOR inaccuracies or any consequences arising from them. Any views expressed in editorial are not necessarily Competition has changed lives 42 Page 14 those of the English-Speaking Union.

4 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 5 CONTRIBUTORS

In celebration of our centenary year, we’ve been encouraging all of our supporters and programme participants to speak up and make their voice heard (see page 18). We checked in with some of our contributors to find out what they'd like to change What would you speak out about?

ABIE PHILBIN JORDAN ERICA SHERRY DOUG BOWMAN WEBBER TURKLE CHAYKA I think climate change I would speak out about Soon, sociable robots As an editorial is a pretty important the fact that some and digital pets will illustrator I want to issue but, let’s be honest, people get fewer be able to convince us make images that ‘climate change’ is a opportunities than that they are able to be shine a light on rubbish phrase – nobody others just because of empathetic by passing concentrations of DARTMOUTH cares about the climate the colour of their skin, an emotional version of power. I’m concerned HOUSE and ‘change’ sounds their birthplace, their the Turing Test. When with the enormous vaguely positive. What gender, their sexual we offer such objects to inequality (racial, it really is is ‘terrorist orientation, or any our children, we embark gender and economic) weather’; it’s weather that number of things on an experiment in in the US and how our EVENTS, CONFERENCE AND WEDDING VENUE can happen out of the that are beyond which our children are government fails all of blue and cause massive their control. the human subjects. us by not protecting IN THE HEART OF MAYFAIR damage so that’s what we Will we be honest the weakest as well as should call it. We need to enough to confront the the privileged. I hope Dartmouth House, home of The English-Speaking English-Speaking Union’s mission to give all young change the conversation, emotional downside my work can bring Union, is an elegant mansion set in the heart of people the communication skills and confidence and to change our of living out our attention to London’s Mayfair, providing the perfect setting for to realise their full potential. behaviour more than robot dreams? these problems. hosting your events and meetings. With its stunning The house can accommodate groups of ten up to anything else. classical interiors and original features, the house 450 for a standing drinks reception, and is the perfect has also played a part in numerous television shoots venue for conferences, board meetings, training Abie is a comedian and Jordan is a writer and presenter Sherry has spent the last 30 Doug is a New Jersey-based including House of Cards, Sherlock and Mr Selfridge. events, seminars and lectures, as well as elegant broadcaster who took part in and current host of The years studying the psychology illustrator whose smart, graphic the Schools’ and International Guardian’s digital culture podcast of people’s relationships with collage images have appeared Thirty per cent of all profits raised through Dartmouth private dining functions, awards dinners and weddings. Mace in 2000. You can read his Chips With Everything. You can technology. You can read an in numerous magazines and story on page 40. read her take on how social media extract from her latest book, newspapers including The Atlantic, House events go directly into funding our educational To find out more speak to our events team on is both a help and a hindrance Reclaiming Conversation: The New York Times, The New programmes. By hosting, or attending, an event in 020 7529 1554 or email [email protected] to free speech on page 16. The Power of Talk in a Digital Yorker and The Washington Post. Age, on page 34. You can see his work on page 16. Dartmouth House you directly contribute to the quoting ‘Dialogue’.

6 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 ALUMNIALUMNI STORIES

‘The Public Speaking Competition taught me it’s good not to be comfortable in my opinions’

ANITA ANAND BROADCASTER AND AUTHOR

nita Anand is a journalist, author and Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defence Initiative (dubbed broadcaster and is perhaps best known for the ‘Star Wars’ programme) to embryology and genetics. her role as presenter of Any Answers on BBC ‘When I was 15 I thought I knew so much,’ she says, Radio 2, where members of the public are ‘and it makes me laugh in retrospect when now I am invitedA to air their views on the hot topics of the day, a acutely aware of how little I know. But the best thing challenge she relishes. ‘My job is essentially to listen to about the ESU is that it didn’t look down on or patronise people from very diverse backgrounds and with diverse us children. There was a respectfulness about having opinions going at it,’ she says, ‘and to challenge some an opinion and then being challenged on it.’ sometimes very concrete views by just chipping away The contest also gave Anita her first glimpse of and saying “Are you sure? Have you thought about this?”’ journalism when the local newspaper ran a story about Anita can trace her love of debating back to her her victory. ‘I remember asking the reporter about his childhood, ‘where a typical family dinner might have work and whether the story was exciting for him,’ started with my dad asking: “so what do we all think she says, ‘and, even though he said it was the most about nuclear proliferation?”’ she laughs. She credits her boring thing he’d done all week, we talked about success with the skills she learnt through the English- court reporting which sounded interesting.’ A work Speaking Union’s Public Speaking Competition, which placement soon followed, in which Anita discovered she won in 1991 and through which she learnt that every she could use other skills she’d gained through debating: issue could be approached in any number of ways. ‘One how to research an argument, to focus, to think on her of the best bits about the competition was that your feet and to sift fact from fiction. speech was challenged by the judges and the audience. This is something she feels all students should learn I thought that was thrilling,’ she says. ‘And still, to do, now more than ever. ‘If there are young people I think healthy debate is the absolute bedrock of a reading this: read a newspaper. Make sure you read civilised society. We are in a world in which people wrap online, or whichever way you get your news, but just themselves in bubbles, in an echo chamber, where they be across what is going on. In this era when everyone’s only hear their own opinion. It’s so corrosive and so bad. screaming fake news at each other, you need to know. The competition taught me, when I was knocked You need to be able to make up your own mind.’ down with questions, to go away and think “actually SUPPORT OUR WORK

I’ll rethink that, I might be wrong”. It taught me CHARLIE HOPKINSON it’s good not to be comfortable in my opinions.’ Your donations help us ensure many more young Though she can’t remember what she spoke about people have the oracy skills and confidence they at the final, she does remember tackling subjects from need to thrive. Please visit portal.esu.org/donation PHOTOGRAPHY

8 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 9 CENTENARY 1945 The English-Speaking Union sets up an education trust undertaking to further 1939-45 Commonwealth-US relations by means of WAR IS DECLARED student, teacher and lecturer exchanges; 100 YEARS scholarships; educational articles, books and IN SEPTEMBER 1939 films; weekend study courses; discussions and Dartmouth House remains open, debates; and other educational means. albeit sandbagged and with the of the English- basement converted to an air-raid shelter. The ESU organises for many British children to be evacuated Speaking Union to America, though this ceases in November 1940 when a ship sinks From Sir Winston Churchill and TS Eliot with 90 children on board. During the Blitz the ESU sets up to Her Majesty the Queen, find out 1963 1921-1926 a department to focus solely on ESU members form about the people and places that war relief efforts. US donations the studio audiences ‘If you can speak of clothes, blankets and medical in London and Denver have played a part in our history… 1920 in this country, you goods – even ambulances and 1954 for the inaugural Town The English- can do anything.’ mobile canteens (pictured below) – The English-Speaking Union Debating Society is Meeting of the World, Speaking Union of are distributed across the country, founded. ‘The Union after all exists, as someone the first TV programme the United States is SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL and emergency parcels are given has put it, so that those who speak English shall to feature world leaders Chairman of the English-Speaking Union formally founded. to those who have lost their homes speak it to some purpose, and it therefore provides in live debates, thanks to in the bombings. Gracie Fields an atmosphere where the activities of a debating the recent launch of the donates the entire proceeds of her society are bound to flourish and prosper.’ Though Telstar communication US and Canadian tours. the society is no more, debate remains at the heart satellite. America enters the war in of what we do – in our Schools’ Mace competition, December 1941 and the ESU begins Debate Academy, Discover Your Voice workshops, to focus on providing hospitality to and our Discover Debating programme. the thousands of American troops coming to Britain, offering a packed programme of talks, visits, dances 1923 and parties. Many weddings ensue. The first ESUWalter Hines Page Scholarship allows a teacher to visit the 1922 US on a research trip. Ninety-five years The first English-Speaking later, the programme is still going strong. 1957 Union of Australia Her Majesty Queen opens, in Melbourne. Elizabeth II awards 1918 the English-Speaking SIR EVELYN WRENCH FOUNDS THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION Union a royal charter. An inclusive, non-party, non-sectarian club, the English-Speaking Eleven schoolboys1928 leave for America on what is Union is open to men and women alike (unusual for the time), and now known as the Secondary School Exchange. 1948 has as its aim international fellowship and, ultimately, peace. Founded by the Rev FH Sill, OHC, Headmaster of Kent The ‘Books Across the Sea’ initiative, founded in 1941 and chaired by TS Eliot, ‘Believing that the peace of the world and the progress of mankind School, Connecticut, this offers British students finds a new home at Dartmouth House. Intended to increase mutual knowledge can be largely helped by the unity in purpose of the English- the opportunity to spend a year at a high school between America and Britain, it sees thousands of books sent between the two Speaking democracies,’ writes Wrench, ‘we pledge ourselves in the United States, and is often a life-changing countries covering their respective histories, geography, politics, music and more. to promote by every means in our power a good understanding experience. Past exchange students include comedian As the scheme develops, the books are distributed to a network of schools, public between the peoples of the USA and the British Commonwealth.’ Dawn French, writer and director Dick Clement libraries and ESU branches around the world, including India, Canada and Six months later, the membership has grown to 800, with local and singer-songwriter and musician KT Tunstall (see New Zealand. Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of the US president, says of the scheme: and international branches forming over the ensuing years. page 22). Could you or someone you know be next? ‘We can’t all visit each other, but at least let’s read about each other.’

10 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 11 CENTENARY CENTENARY

1977 The ESU is officially 2007 recognised by the Working with partner Charity Commission as organisation The Helen 1968 an educational charity. Bamber Foundation, our Experience English In May, the first national final of the ESU Public programme is launched, Speaking Competition (started by the Brighton & partnering volunteers Hove branch in 1960) is held in Westminster School, 2006 with refugees and and is won by St Edward’s College, Liverpool. Designed Our first ever Discover Your Voice victims of cruelty. to encourage the art of public speaking and to enable workshop takes place. In its first year, young people to express their ideas on world affairs, it is 1990s the majority of programme bookings now the largest public-speaking competition in the UK. We expand our international reach into come from primary schools and 2016 Current motions include ‘Should we welcome a cashless Eastern Europe, with Poland joining in local education authorities. We welcome in a new generation of English-Speaking society?’ and ‘Washing products vs fish; what can be 1993, Lithuania and Romania in 1996 Union members, with a 16 per cent increase in our done to save our marine life?’ and Armenia, Latvia and Russia in 1998. young membership base. 2018 We look forward to our next 2004 100 years and launch our ‘What 1981The International Public Speaking Competition Debate Academy, our Would You Speak Out About’ commences with a contest between Australia, England residential summer school, campaign (see page 18) giving and Wales. This soon gathers momentum, involving a opens its doors. Aimed at more people the chance to have growing number of countries – 57 in 2018. beginners and experienced their voices heard. debaters alike, it offers 2017 world-class coaching from Primary schools across the UK are now 1972 expert mentors as well as being given the chance to take part in Following a donation of £1,000,000 from stimulating lectures and our Discover Debating programme – Brigadier Charles Lionel Lindemann, the social activities. Starting for free. Our flagship programme uses English-Speaking Union awarded its first out with a handful of debate to improve primary school students’ two Lindemann Science Fellowships. scholarships, since 2015 literacy and oracy skills in areas of the 50 per cent of places have country with the greatest indicators of need. been fully funded to assist ‘The programme is extremely beneficial students in financial need. to our pupils – the impact is obvious and clearly measurable in terms of oracy skills… but also in terms of enjoyment,’ says Dede 1976 Pourahmadi, a teacher at Al-Furqan Primary The first English-Speaking Union School, Birmingham. is established in Europe, in Belgium.

12 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 13 ALUMNI STORIES

‘Debating is about empowerment: the idea that, regardless of your background, your views are as important as the next person’s’

BILAL MAHMOOD SOLICITOR

ow a senior legal counsel for China been involved in the ESU. Debating helped me to see Construction Bank, English-Speaking what my natural talents are – I enjoy breaking down Union alumnus Bilal Mahmood has complex problems and explaining them to people, taken part in numerous ESU debating which is at the core of being a good solicitor,’ he says. programmesN including the Schools’ Mace and trials for Having found his calling, he counts himself as one the World Schools Debating Championships. But his of the lucky ones and, aware that not all young people involvement hasn’t stopped there. Since taking part in have the same opportunities, he decided to offer his our programmes he has volunteered his time to mentor support to the ESU. His offer coincided with the launch a new generation of participants, and was the youngest of the London Debate Challenge – a pioneering programme person to become an ESU governor in 2008. to help young people in disadvantaged areas of London ‘Taking part in the trials for the World Schools reach their full potential. ‘It meant a lot to me because one Debating Championships – a chance to represent of the boroughs it was being offered in was Waltham Forest England at the largest global competition of its kind and Newham – the borough where I grew up,’ he says. Bilal – introduced me to a new world,’ he says. ‘It was an went on to mentor many young people, helping them to opportunity to be part of a team and to travel the world, develop self-confidence and to value their own voices. things I hadn’t dreamed of before.’ He went on to take ‘Of all the things I’ve done at the ESU, that’s been the part in several ESU debating tours, representing England most important, and the most rewarding,’ he says. in Japan and Mauritius. Both experiences opened up ‘Debating is about empowerment: the idea that a wide network of new contacts and a rich diversity regardless of your background, your views are as of voices. ‘Everyone had a different set of opinions,’ important as the next person’s. Each of us needs to he says. ‘The good thing about debating is that have the skills to speak out, and the confidence to fail.’ you’re surrounded by people who disagree with you!’ Bilal links this last point to social mobility. ‘Many It’s these experiences – the doors they open and young people the ESU works with have never had the skill sets they teach – that Bilal believes everyone the confidence to do something where they might fail, should have equal access to. ‘Debating isn’t just about because economically, they can’t afford to. We should how to speak in front of people, it’s about critical be focusing on narrowing this inequality gap.’ thinking and listening skills – the skills you need in SUPPORT OUR WORK

order to be persuasive in any part of your life, whether CHARLIE HOPKINSON in a boardroom, a classroom or just talking to people.’ Your donations help us ensure many more young For Bilal, such experiences enabled him to pursue his people have the oracy skills and confidence they passions. ‘I knew I wanted to become a lawyer after I’d need to thrive. Please visit portal.esu.org/donation PHOTOGRAPHY

14 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 15 DEBATE

TOP 5 HASHTAGS oppressed start to speak up it seems inevitable OF THE LAST which had 16,000 followers, had previously to expect backlash from their oppressors, and 12 MONTHS tweeted in support of Brexit and Trump. they have ‘podiums in their pockets’ too. One Social media makes it easy to spread false notorious hashtag born in 2014 is #Gamergate, #Resist information, whether intentionally or not. widely recognised as the calling card of a In January 2018, an employee of Hawaii’s FROM According to Twitter’s data predominantly male hate group who harassed emergency management agency sent out a false female game developers and feminists keen to on the most popular US alarm of an imminent missile attack, which develop a more progressive culture in video games. ‘activism’ hashtags in 2017, was not officially corrected for more than half anti-Trump #Resist pipped an hour. The employee, who has since been THE MIC #MakeAmericaGreatAgain A threat to democracy? fired, has not yet been named, but that hasn’t Harassment on platforms that enable instant (Trump’s slogan) to the stopped people from looking for someone to access without physical proximity is now so number one spot. blame for the unnecessary panic. And thanks TO THE commonplace – UK Prime Minister Theresa May to an archival photo used in some of the news has called for new laws to deal with this ‘threat to #MeToo stories, one of his colleagues (on a different our democracy’ – that it’s no wonder people often island at the time of the incident) came under prefer to engage only with those with whom they Used to report experiences of fire instead, receiving abusive and threatening LIKE share a world view. But the ability to choose who sexual harassment and assault, messages that he ended up taking to the police. we follow on Twitter and which news sources we this hashtag also has alternatives Social media platforms like Facebook and #MeToo; #WomensMarch; #BlackLivesMatter read can create echo chambers, where people with in other languages. Twitter have become so powerful that refusal – social media is helping many of us to have similar beliefs repeat those beliefs back to each to engage with them has itself become a kind our voices heard in ways that would have been other, convincing each other further. #BlackLivesMatter of activism; in October 2017 a software engineer Some parties benefit from polarisation, called Kelly Ellis started a campaign with the unimaginable even a few years ago. As we and can use social media to encourage further Dating back to 2013, when hashtag #WomenBoycottTwitter, encouraging encourage our audiences to tell us what matters division. According to reports in The Observer, George Zimmerman was women to sign off for 24 hours in solidarity to them in our ‘What Would You Speak Out powerful supporters of both Trump and Brexit acquitted of murder after fatally with victims of harassment who went may have worked with a company called shooting African American teen unsupported by Twitter. The campaign received About?’ campaign, Jordan Erica Webber looks Cambridge Analytica to use data mined from Trayvon Martin, this remains criticism, however, pointing out that women at the benefits and dangers of social platforms Facebook to target voters with political adverts relevant as African Americans of colour had received less solidarity than becoming the podiums in our pockets designed to provoke an emotional response. continue to die at the hands white women, and that going silent seemed Hidden in individual user’s feeds, these adverts of the police. counterproductive when women (especially could be unaccountable, and not declared in women of colour) are often silenced fter multiple women accused to look forward to a the same way as other campaign expenditure. #WomensMarch already. New hashtags arose in response: Hollywood film producer Harvey future in which sexual This kind of approach could conceivably allow #WOCAffirmation and #AmplifyWomen. Weinstein of sexual assault, in harassment is truly a thing foreign governments to interfere in another The first Women’s March was While this kind of backlash can feel October 2017 actor Alyssa Milano of the past. Years earlier, social country’s democracy, as Russia has been accused held soon after the 2016 US frustrating (after all, it’s natural to feel defensive DOUG CHAYKA DOUG tookA to Twitter: ‘If you’ve been sexually harassed media played a significant role in a different kind of doing with the 2016 US presidential election. presidential election to protest in response to criticism), it is at least part of a or assaulted write “me too” as a reply to this of revolution: The Arab Spring. Protestors used Another threat to democracy lies in ‘fake news’, against President Trump. The public conversation. Twitter enabled women of tweet.’ Tens of thousands of people replied, Facebook and other social media (in addition to a phenomenon that has likely been around for as event was repeated early in 2018. colour to voice their concerns about the boycott,

and the phrase (which was first used in 2006 more traditional methods) to organise, and the ILLUSTRATION long as actual news but is surely amplified by and they were heard: Kelly Ellis publicly by civil rights activist Tarana Burke) soon global reach of social media platforms meant social media. Here too, we risk foreign #TakeAKnee acknowledged that ‘it’s not ok for solidarity became a hashtag that trended worldwide. that those involved could get word out to the rest interference, as with the Russian Twitter to only be for white women’ and apologised. Months later people are still using the hashtag, of the world. In the US today, citizens are using account purporting to belong to a ‘proud American football player Progress has been made, and made in a public but its effects reach far beyond Twitter. Men social media to organise anti-Trump protests such Texan and American patriot’ that tweeted Colin Kaepernick regularly arena where the conversation is recorded and accused of harassment and assault are losing their as the Women’s March, and to teach each other a photo of a woman in a hijab on her phone kneels during the national people are held accountable. Social media is an jobs where before they might have been protected how to contact Congressional representatives. walking past a victim of the 2017 anthem before games as a amplifier: it may feel too loud sometimes, but by their employers. Others are apologising But the consequences of being able to instantly Westminster Bridge attack, along with the form of protest against the fundamentally it represents millions – billions – publicly for past misconduct instead of keeping and directly address a potentially global audience words ‘Muslim woman pays no mind to the oppression of people of colour of people talking to each other, using their quiet. Finally, it looks as if women might be able aren’t all positive. For one thing, when the terror attack’. The same Twitter account, in the United States. voices to get things done.

16 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 17 ‘I think that more should ‘The government not funding be done to help homeless libraries. They are places for people. Many people are children to go and not get still on the street.’ WHAT WOULD into trouble.’ Rebecca, a participant at our Isaiah, Discover Debating participant Performing Shakespeare London YOU SPEAK regional final OUT ABOUT? Have your say in our ‘The need for diversity ‘Tolerance. We live in a world centenary campaign in positions of power. which is more diverse than ever We can’t have people who don’t and where we encounter people e teach young people oracy have the necessary experiences from different religions and races skills for many reasons: to understand other people’s in our everyday lives. Tolerance is WHAT WOULD YOU W because they aid perspective making decisions the key to getting on.’ SPEAK OUT ABOUT? communication and understanding; on their behalf. We need people because they promote social mobility; Sir Trevor McDonald, broadcaster TEACHING RESOURCES with diverse backgrounds and and former ESU Governor because they support learning (academic, Looking for a way to explore some diverse opinions.’ social and emotional); because they of these issues with your class? open doors to opportunity; and Alma Ágústsdóttir, Based on several of the topics our because they empower. Iceland representative and ‘Endangered animals. supporters have spoken out about, winner of IPSC 2016 A true democracy requires us all to I don’t think it’s fair that humans we have developed two free speak up, not just those who began life threaten entire species.’ teaching resources to help primary with the loudest voice, and so, as part ‘I’d speak out about and secondary school students get ‘The gulf between wages. Morgan, Discover Your Voice of our centenary celebrations, we have to grips with the facts and examine CEOs’ salaries compared to deforestation. Soon there will workshop participant been encouraging all of our supporters, both sides of the debate. those of workers are out of be nothing left of the rainforest.’ members, alumni and young programme participants to tell us what all proportion.’ Ruby, a participant at our Performing KS2 RESOURCES Shakespeare London regional final they would speak out about and why. Dick Clement, writer and director, The class has landed on a tropical By doing so, we hope to give more Secondary Schools Exchange island rich with exotic life. But not all people the chance to have their voices alumnus 1965 of the animals are flourishing, and the heard. Here are just a few examples students will have to make some tricky of what some of our supporters decisions about how best to protect have spoken out about already... and nurture them. These fun, engaging activities guide an exploration of the issues surrounding endangered ‘One of my concerns is the ‘Removing the stigma animals, conservation and zoos. current obsession with mobile surrounding mental health.’ HAVE YOUR SAY phones and social networking. KS3/4 RESOURCES Jennifer Kay, teacher, Public Speaking Climate change; racism; waste – To my mind, instead of bringing Competition hub day, Manchester This set of classroom exercises will whatever it is that you would like people together they are making encourage students to think about to speak out about we encourage us drift apart. There is nothing ‘The terrible fire at Grenfell the factors which determine salaries you to join the campaign. in different professions, and compare better than interpersonal Tower. What happened seems to be We can only effect change by these to what qualities they believe interactions which give you ‘Refugee children. A generation very much to do with the attitude we raising our voices and listening is being subjected to a life that ought to be rewarded. Questions of to the opinions of others. an opportunity to express your have towards social housing in this fairness and merit can be considered ‘Gender inequality. they shouldn’t have to endure, Let us know what you’d speak emotions through gestures country and the way that certain either individually or as a class. A gender-equal world is a and which we as adults shouldn’t out about by tweeting us @theesu and your senses.’ groups of people are ignored.’ or by posting on our Facebook better world – for everyone.’ allow to happen.’ FURTHER INFORMATION Marina Tsitsishvili, Emil Fortune, children’s publisher & page /the.esu. Don’t forget to use President of ESU Georgia Cat Wildman, via Twitter KT Tunstall, singer-songwriter and musician writer and Schools’ Mace alumnus 1996 To download both resources please #ESUspeakout with your post. visit esu.org/teachingresources

18 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 19 DEBATE DEBATE

THIS HOUSE WOULD... If this does not include an empathetic AGAINST perspective of other people’s views, THE MOTION claiming they are self-employed, then it will be missing a whole area Simon Cox, or by outsourcing work to agencies. of necessary strategic thinking. Maybe Chief Executive, This could just serve to make their this is why the credit crunch of 2008 income positions less secure – thus Limit CEOs’ salaries to ten times Independent Media took so many businesses by surprise, doing nothing to address income whilst ‘normal’ people saw it coming Distribution and a former inequality and effectively hiding that of their lowest paid employee years in advance. Secondary School Exchange student the problem. Furthermore, a society with Let me start by saying that despite Good CEOs are able to command IN FAVOUR OF organisations run by people who all have being a well-paid CEO, I do actually high salaries in the market and if THE MOTION on the objectives of the organisation. this potential flaw would be inherently find the amounts that some CEOs earn organisations want to attract them Tony Whitbread, A quest for avarice then subordinates unstable, resulting in a widespread lack to be unjustifiable, whether that be they can’t be fettered by a ratio. If such Chief Executive, more important strategic matters. of empathy, a lack of understanding in the profit sector (Martin Sorrell, a ratio existed this could mean that You could argue that being of others, poor strategic thinking, founder and CEO of advertising and Sussex Wildlife Trust the organisation would have to raise comfortable with a disproportionately poor ‘if – then’ scenario building and marketing company WPP, springs to the pay of a large number of people – Why should CEOs earn so much? I am large salary exposes a potential character presumptions built in the absence mind) or the non-profit sector (the vastly increasing its cost base in order the CEO of a wildlife trust, a medium- flaw in CEOs. The same characteristic of of wider consideration. Measures of CEOs of major UK broadcasters). to attract a CEO who was, say, sized charity, and my view is that the ruthless focus that is supposed to drive well-being are worse, not in the poorest However, I do not think that the previously paid 20 times more than difference between the highest and a good organisation could also select for countries, but in the most unequal tendency for income inequality between the bottom 10 per cent of its employees. lowest wage-earners should only be a CEOs who only have this characteristic countries. This is partly driven by CEOs the high and lower paid I believe there are better ways to multiple of three or four, not ten and because they are unable to empathise demanding the most they can should be regulated by a address this inequality. It’s interesting certainly not several hundred times! with their workforce. An inflated get simply because they can. market intervention, to note that some very efficient As CEO, I know I rely totally on all self-worth with little care for how it is Perhaps surprisingly, ‘Good CEOs are for example by economies like that of Japan have less the staff in the organisation. Giving perceived by employees might deliver I see this as a root cause government. disparity between the highest and myself huge sums does not breed a a competitive organisation in the short of our environmental able to command high There are lowest paid. One could believe that loyal, effective workforce and indicates term, but in the long term an inability problems, too. salaries in the market several employees might be more attracted to, that I do not consider my staff to be to see things from other people’s Organisational leaders reasons and better retained, in organisations as important as me. If I demand more, perspectives can be destructive. An who are so focused on the and if organisations for this. where a narrower range of salaries then others will demand more. This organisation needs to think broadly narrow pursuit of growth want to attract them In general, existed. By publishing these ratios breeds a focus on salary, rather than about the factors that affect it. that they are intellectually market internally and externally, companies incapable of addressing the they can’t be fettered interventions that had narrower ranges might manage finite confines within which by a ratio’ are clumsy their human resources more effectively. they must work can only and don’t work. They could simply choose to do this, deliver a short-term boost, Organisations can rather than being regulated to publish followed by an inevitable bust. work around them – for ratios (as is being proposed in the UK Some CEOs may feel that they have example by issuing securities rather at the moment). This would let the free all the responsibility, and that this than higher salaries to increase CEO market operate and naturally reduce should rightly be recognised in their compensation, in the same way that inequality. All it takes is a few uncapped salary. I am not convinced after the 2008 crisis, limits on bankers’ companies to start. – what are we actually talking about in bonuses (only) saw them compensated terms of salary levels? My lowest wage by higher salaries instead. earner is on about £20k per year. A CEO At the other end of the scale, HAVE YOUR SAY earning ten times that would get £200k organisations could avoid paying We’d love to hear your opinion – please per year. If you can’t scratch along on salaries to the lowest-paid workers email [email protected] or tweet ‘just’ £200k per year then I believe you to escape this metric by contracting @theesu and we’ll feature a selection shouldn’t be running any organisation. them in other ways, for example by of responses in the next issue.

20 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 21 ALUMNI STORIES ALUMNI CHARLIE HOPKINSON ‘The Secondary School Exchange was

the springboard for me deciding what PHOTOGRAPHY I wanted to do with my future’

KT TUNSTALL SINGER-SONGWRITER AND MUSICIAN

still pinch myself that I can play music for a living,’ says she says. ‘And I really don’t know where the resilience to multi-award-winning singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, keep going came from, but I’d put so much time into it, best known for hit singles Black Horse and the Cherry it would have been crazy to stop.’ Tree and Suddenly I See. ‘Music is my vocation and it Though some of her resilience can surely be traced was ‘always I my fear that it would have to be relegated back to Kent, where her stint on the varsity swim team to a hobby. I’m deeply thankful that the stars aligned involved two to three hours’ training every day, plus two and I put the work in and that I now have complete hours’ weight training a week (‘I came home to Scotland creative freedom.’ and my mum said, “Kate, your neck is wider than your A key part of those stars falling into line was the year head, what have you been doing?”’), KT feels that, more KT spent at Kent College, Connecticut, on the ESU’s than anything else, her experience gave her a healthy Secondary School Exchange. ‘Everyone I met at school sense of self-esteem. was obsessed with music. I got into The Rolling Stones, ‘I think all of us go through periods of self-doubt, The Grateful Dead, The Flaming Lips, all these brilliant shyness and chronic awkwardness, and I think that American bands that I hadn’t really heard that much confidence and self-esteem are top of the list in terms of back home in Scotland.’ of life skills that young people should acquire,’ she Most formatively, it was at Kent that KT formed her continues. ‘And I say acquire because not all of us first band, The Happy Campers. ‘We had phenomenal are born with these qualities, but they’re so important music teachers, great music rooms with pianos and because they enable you to communicate, to express everything you could wish for, and, since it’s a boarding yourself, to be open, and to learn.’ school in the middle of nowhere, we had a captive ‘I think it’s essential to help kids challenge themselves audience, so we started doing some gigs. Any opportunity to do things that they think they can’t do, and I think we had to play, we were playing. It was the springboard that’s something that the English-Speaking Union does. for me deciding what I wanted to do with my future.’ It opened my mind – to a different culture and to different Success didn’t come overnight. After studying music viewpoints – and shaped me deeply as a person. It was at Royal Holloway College, KT spent nearly seven years one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done in my life.’ in her hometown of St Andrews trying to make it as an independent musician, before moving to London with a SUPPORT OUR WORK publishing deal as a songwriter. Her first record deal came Your donations help us ensure many more young two years later and her first album was released in 2004. people have the oracy skills and confidence they ‘It all took painfully longer than I ever thought it would,’ need to thrive. Please visit portal.esu.org/donation

22 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 23 INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL

being amazed at the choice, as we barely had ice cream at home. We weren’t that far from NYC, so LIKE MOTHER, we used to go down there at weekends like daughter by train, a freedom I hadn’t had before. Because it was a boarding school, In 1955, Sheila Fowler-Watt (née Beynon) was the first girl to go on an ESU Secondary my friends came from all over and I School Exchange to America. Since then, hundreds have followed in her footsteps, went to stay with them in the holidays – to California, Chicago, Kentucky, OPPOSITE FROM LEFT: SHEILA'S ENTRY IN HER including her daughter, Susie, in 1986. Natasha Goodfellow hears their story YEARBOOK; SHEILA IN NYC; THIS PAGE: SUSIE IN HER Washington DC, Boston and Texas. ROOM AND WITH ROOM-MATE MOIRA Everyone was just so incredibly SHEILA welcoming and outgoing. It made SUSIE ‘I heard about the exchange, then called which was reassuring. But still, my mother a deep impression on me. ‘I think I’d always known I wanted to do suitcase for a fortnight), by the end of two the Isabel Carden Griffin Memorial cried – the first time I’d ever seen her do so It was an adjustment coming home a Secondary School Exchange. My mother weeks I felt completely at ease. Scholarship, from my school. My – when she came to wave me off on the just as it had been an adjustment going used to keep her yearbook from her time As I already had a place to read medicine headmistress was a bit damning about my Queen Mary. The journey took five or six over, but I came back much more at Masters (left) by the side of her bed, at Cambridge, I could study whatever I was chances, but she said I’d be free to go as I days and I suddenly realised I was going independent and confident in myself. and I used to love leafing through it. interested in. I chose philosophy, drama and wasn’t going to university; I was planning to be very cut off from home. I noticed the difference when I started I thought it was so glamorous. American literature and I sang with the to go into nursing instead. I thought I’d been placed at the Masters School, nursing, as most of the girls had gone Because of the friends she’d made there, chamber choir and with the band. The school it would be quite a challenge and my in Dobbs Ferry, New York State, and was straight from school, but I had had this we’d visited America twice as a family had the most amazing theatre, it had parents encouraged me, although very homesick at first. Letters took a long amazing year away and my horizons and so I was even keener by the time the incredible sports facilities, the teachers were they became rather apprehensive as time and we didn’t make international were much broader as a result. opportunity presented itself after my inspiring and it was a total awakening for me my departure date approached. phone calls in those days, but I soon I’m delighted Susie – and my son A levels. I’d taken them at 16 and so in so many ways. All the things I’d dreamt of They arranged for me to have a made friends. Annie, Tica and Joanna, Andrew, as it happens – were able to follow was quite young, and my parents were doing, I could now do as part of everyday life. chaperone on the voyage, and Brigadier an English girl who had been sent to in my footsteps. They’ve experienced life in keen that I do something productive The exchange quite literally changed my Jack Treadwell (Vice-President of the America during the war and had stayed, a country that is quite different, and made with my gap year rather than just going life, not only because I gained so much in English-Speaking Union of America) and were my closest friends – and I’m still in lasting links with people there. And that backpacking. I knew the interview panel confidence and independence, but because I his wife Susan had visited us at home and touch with them today. We used to walk brings both confidence and a different were looking for people who would be decided during that year that, having studied offered to be my guardians for the year, into the town for ice creams. I remember outlook on life – very valuable attributes.’ good ambassadors for Great Britain, so only maths and sciences since the age of I was over the moon and very relieved 14, I didn’t want to do medicine any more. to find out they thought I fitted the bill. I didn’t want to be a doctor – I wanted to I was sent to Hotchkiss School, in the read philosophy. And, through learning Berkshires in northern Connecticut. The how to structure an argument and how tradition there is that on the first morning to look at both sides, that has ultimately after orientation, new students get up early led me to my current career as a journalist and jump into the lake. I’d had a very long and presenter for the BBC. journey and arrived late and was told I I hope my own daughter will be keen didn’t have to join in if I was too tired, but to apply for the programme. The structure I had my mother’s voice ringing in my ears. allows you to gain in learning and Before I’d left, she’d told me to throw experience whilst also getting the chance myself into everything, to get involved, to travel and to make lifelong friends. to be enthusiastic, and so that’s exactly It’s just such a vibrant experience; I would what I did – I got up and threw myself recommend it to anybody.’ into the lake! It was exactly the right thing to do. And even though I was Susie Fowler-Watt presents BBC Look East incredibly homesick at first (to the point and is a judge for the ESU-Churchill National where I didn’t actually unpack my Public Speaking Competition for schools.

24 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 25 We will announce the winner and the answers in the next edition of Dialogue. GOOD LUCK – AND NO GOOGLING!

1. Who was the Albanian head 8. Which of the following 15. Which vegetable was of state from 1944 to 1985? was invented by a illegal in France between Bulgarian national? 1748 and 1772? Digital calculator Turnips Digital scales Parsnips 2. Which precious metal did Digital watch Potatoes European settlers believe Digital camera Leeks 21. True or false? All gondolas they’d find in Argentina? in Venice are required by law 16. In which year did Georgia to be painted in black. first declare its independence from Russia? 3. What estimated percentage 1879 of Australia’s living species are 1918 22. True or false? still unknown to man? 1921 At 83.7 years, Japan has 35% 1991 the highest life expectancy 49% in the world. DISCOVER 60% 9. True or false? Canada has 17. True or false? Germany 75% more lakes than the rest of the made its final reparations world combined. payment from the WWI Treaty 4. In which year did of Versailles in 2010. 23. Which president of THE WORLD Bangladesh gain independence the Republic of Korea was from Pakistan? awarded a Nobel Peace Prize 10. Chile is the fourth largest for advancing democracy with our ESU quiz exporter of: 18. Hong Kong has more ______and human rights in South Beef than any other city in the world. Korea and East Asia and From political milestones to illegal vegetables, we’re giving you a chance 5. Which precious stone is Coffee Skyscrapers for reconciliation with to test your knowledge of the cultures and countries that Antwerp, Belgium, famous for? Wine Escalators North Korea? form the English-Speaking Union’s international network. Chilli flakes Restaurants Trams One point will be allocated for each question that is answered correctly, 11. Which Greek goddess one for each of the 51 ESUs around the world. A winner will be drawn 6. Which of the following is said to have risen from the 24. The Latvian capital Riga is at random from the correct entries and will receive a might you hear in Bermuda? sea near Paphos, Cyprus? famous for its Central Market £25 book voucher to help continue their global education. A humming sea snail building. What did it house A whistling treefrog before it became a market Please send your answers or scans of the completed A snoring rock skink and bazaar? quiz to [email protected] or post them to: A singing sea turtle 12. Name the two autonomous Zeppelin airships The Communications Team, Dartmouth House, countries which are part of Hovercraft 7. What is the name of Brazil’s Denmark. 37 Charles Street, London, W1J 5ED Hot air balloons best-known architect? Aeroplanes or enter online at esu.org/blog

25. Which type of tree is represented on 19. Which late American Lebanon’s flag? 13. What was Estonia’s currency singer is an honorary citizen prior to adopting the Euro? of Budapest, Hungary? Punt Johnny Cash Kroon Elvis Presley 26. Which of the following Lats Jimi Hendrix are considered heroes Schilling Whitney Houston in Lithuania? Cheese sellers 14. With which country does 20. What is India’s most

NATASHA MCGOWAN NATASHA Grape treaders Finland share a golf course? important festival? Book smugglers Basket weavers FEATURE

26 Dialogue Magazine AutumnSpring 2018 2017 Autumn 2017 www.esu.org 27 27. Which two states of 34. Which bird appears in the 41. Name one of the seven Malaysia are not on the logo of the Royal New Zealand UNESCO World Heritage INTERNATIONAL mainland? Air Force? Sites in Romania.

28. What is name of the cave 35. Which location in Nepal 42. In 1867 Russia sold Alaska located in Malta thought to be is said to be the birthplace of to the US, but for how much? where Homer’s Odysseus was Buddha? $10 million kept as a ‘prisoner of love’ for Pokhara $9 million seven years? Kathmandu $7.2 million 48. Name one of the two Janakpur $5 million Seven Wonders of the Lumbini ESU VOICES Ancient World that are 43. When was the first located in Turkey. 29. What bird, now extinct, recorded appearance remains Mauritius’ national of Scotland’s Loch Ness AROUND animal? Monster? 565 AD 49. What are the colours 1456 of Ukraine’s flag? THE WORLD 1934 Blue & yellow 30. How many official 1956 Blue & white languages does Mexico have? As ESUs from across the globe gather Red & blue 6 36. Which animal was knighted 44. With which country did Red & white in London for International Week, 82 in Norway in 2008? Serbia form a union from 1992 68 A reindeer until 2006? 50. Which city in the United we catch up with five participants 40 A penguin states of America is nicknamed A moose Cereal City? of last year’s International Public 31. Moldovan banknotes bear a An artic fox verse about which animal? 45. What is the name of Spain’s Speaking Competition (IPSC) to find Sheep 37. Who won Pakistan’s second annual tomato-throwing CHARLIE HOPKINSON

Aurochs Nobel Peace Prize in 2014? festival? out how the contest changed their lives 51. The city of Mocha, Storks Yemen, was once the centre Ermines of the world’s trade in which

commodity? PHOTOGRAPHY 32. What is a traditional 38. The Philippines is the Mongolian nomadic home world’s largest producer of: known as? Coconuts Pineapples ‘ THROUGH EXCHANGING AND How would you sum up people are being constrained Peanuts WIDENING OUR VIEWS, WE BECOME the IPSC? to a life of poverty, denied Breadfruit MORE UNDERSTANDING CITIZENS’ 33. What is the capital WIN A The IPSC wasn’t just a the power to dream of a of Morocco? 39. Which former electrician REBECCA PREEN,18, THAILAND competition; it was an better future and the founded the Solidarność unforgettable experience to confidence needed to achieve

(Solidarity) movement and £25What effect did the in assemblies with confidence not only improve my public it. There are wider societal went on to become President 46. True or false? Sirimavo competitionBOOK have on you? and hope to speak at other speaking skills but also to effects, too. Most conflict of Poland? Bandaranaike was first elected I VOUCHERused to fear public speaking events in the future. form friendships that I know and war stems from as Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister but a couple of months will last a lifetime. ignorance so cultural in 1970, making her the before the national Why do you think education is vital to modern world’s first female Send your completed competition, I took a chance competitions like IPSC What would you speak eradicate this and decrease 40. More than half of the head of government. and convinced myself it was are important? out about? discrimination. By guiding world’s ______supplies quiz or a scan or list of come from Portugal. your answers to us at the an opportunity to learn and By immersing young people Education is a fundamental the next generations to have Ceramic tile address on page 26 grow, not even knowing that in a kaleidoscope of cultures human right – and yet 61 greater intercultural Soap 47. Which European empire by 1st September, winning would take me to in order to exchange and million children around the awareness of the world we Cork colonised Thailand? or enter online at London, where I learnt so widen our views, it allows world are not in primary school. inhabit, we can build bridges Fortified wine esu.org/blog much. Now, as Head Girl of us to become more Without adequate of understanding and not For Ts & Cs please see my school, I frequently speak understanding global citizens. education, these young walls of division. esu.org/blog

28 Dialogue Magazine AutumnSpring 2018 2017 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 29 INTERNATIONAL

‘THE IPSC REMINDS US OF THE ‘BECAUSE OF IPSC, I LEARNED TO IMPORTANCE OUR VOICES CARRY’ DREAM THE BIGGEST DREAMS, AND LUKE MACARONAS, 20, AUSTRALIA MORE IMPORTANTLY, TO BE CONFIDENT Tell us about your life What would you speak ‘SO MANY OF US THAT I’D BE ABLE TO REACH THEM’ pre- and post-IPSC out about? ARE UNAWARE OF ONE CARLO DIAZ, 21, THE PHILIPPINES ‘THE MOST Last year, I had just started I’d speak out about OUR PRIVILEGE AND a Bachelor of Arts at the homophobia. Homosexuality What effect did the IPSC collaborate in order to come IMPORTANT WHAT IT GIVES US’ THING I LEARNT University of Melbourne, is still illegal in 72 countries; have on you? up with solutions. We should but I had little idea of which in April 2017 an ‘anti-gay TAGHRID FIRDOUS, The IPSC made me think, empower communities and IS TO BE MYSELF’ direction I was headed. purge’ swept the Chechen 18, PAKISTAN above all, that I am more than those, like myself, who have NIKOLAY MARINOV, Now I’m in my second year, Republic; President Trump just a citizen of my own country experienced poverty, to speak 18, LATVIA majoring in art history. has sought to wind back – I am a citizen of the world. their minds and involve I’m also the President of protections for trans people How has IPSC ceilings. In dark closets. It broadened my perspective themselves in the process, the Melbourne University in the U.S. military; and in benefitted you? Over foreign waters. So and made me excited about taking policy-making to the What are you doing now? and I think this is the most Shakespeare Company and many countries the death It has made me a better many of us are unaware of the prospects of more next level. The marginalised I’m still at school preparing important part of public am producing and directing penalty still looms as a speaker, on stage and off; but our privilege and what it international opportunities. should be properly represented. for my university entrance speaking – being yourself. multiple works while ‘punishment’ for LGBT more than that, it has given gives us; while those of us We need to listen to each exams, as well as applying studying French and people. The experiences of me the confidence and without it are sorely aware Has it changed your life at all? other now more than ever. to become an air traffic Why do you think Japanese alongside my BA. LGBT people raise questions courage to venture beyond of our lack, even without any It opened up a lot of controller in the UK (a competitions like that rupture social the boundaries of my home overt expression of prejudice. opportunities for me, Why do you think long-standing dream of IPSC are important? What effect did expectations of what it is to and to pursue my ambition For example, during my especially after university. competitions like IPSC mine). I’m also organising As well as being an amazing the IPSC have on you? raise a family, to find love with fewer reservations. stay in London, I I could say that because of are important? the scholar round of IPSC opportunity to build The competition gave me a and to live a ‘moral’ life – encountered no prominent IPSC, I learned to dream the In an increasingly globalised 2018 in my school, in the friendships for life with great deal of confidence and questions that deserve a voice, What will you racial bias, islamophobia biggest dreams, and more world, issues transcend hope of popularising public people from different cultures, direction, motivating me to and deserve your attention. remember most? or classism, but I still felt importantly, to be confident borders, so platforms like speaking and helping people such competitions encourage do more, and giving me the The people I met, the torn apart on my return to that I’d be able to reach them. this where young people can to stand up for what they young adults to think about conviction to pursue and friends I made. Our Pakistan. It took time for discuss international issues believe is right. the problems facing us, perfect the skills that I want shared laughs – and tears! me to reconcile myself with What are you doing now? and bring fresh insights to shaping the next generations to use in life. It has also the life I’ve had here, after I work in media and public the table are vital. What did you learn? to be forward-thinking, catalysed the formation of Why do you think contests the week I’d had there. relations in Dubai. The IPSC IPSC has made me believe smart people, who have the a network of connections and like IPSC are important? I had seen too much of helped me find the courage to more in myself and in what I will to fight for what they introductions that I could It is important to find a what I didn’t have. pursue employment overseas, can accomplish. It made me believe in. never have imagined. safe space to vocalise your Until even the most and I aim eventually to work believe more in the power thoughts and feelings, open-minded individuals in a global media outfit or an that we young people have What would you Why do you think and the IPSC does this by are willing to reflect on their international NGO. and in the power of our speak out about? competitions like bringing together young own privilege and its effects, voices, just as Martin Luther Domestic violence. This is IPSC are important? people from all over the it seems unlikely the What would you speak King taught us that ‘Our an issue that affects many We are the voices of the world and not just situation will be rectified. out about? lives begin to end the day we people – one in every three in future, and many of the acknowledging our voices, But should this be the case, Poverty continues to cripple become silent about things some parts of the world, yet competitors make up the but celebrating them. then we must also consider individuals and societies, that matter’. However, the many choose to simply ignore leading thinkers, movers how to best rectify it. All stripping them of opportunities most important thing I it. Be the violence verbal, and shakers of the next What would you too often we focus on and trapping them in a learnt is to be myself. Our physical, or a combination of generation. IPSC not only speak out about? dragging the privileged vicious cycle. Poverty takes uniqueness in expression, both, we should not overlook brings these people together, Privilege. Privilege effectively through the mud, instead of different forms and has thoughts and opinions is such a problem and must but also reminds them of the cocoons us from chaos. On uprooting the system which varying effects on people, what makes us interesting instead work to eliminate it. importance their voices carry. cold streets. Under glass has placed them there. so I believe that we should

30 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 31 ALUMNI STORIES

‘Debating taught us the truth in Churchill’s quote: “If you can speak in this country, you can do anything”‘

EDWARD STOURTON BROADCASTER AND AUTHOR & SIR NICHOLAS MOSTYN HIGH COURT JUDGE

roadcaster and author Edward Stourton planned to read physics at university, asserts that remembers well the day that the Berlin Wall debating sparked his move into law. came down. ‘I was based in Paris and I went ‘Nobody can dispute that being able to persuade to the newsstand, bought my morning paper, people in argument is a tremendous asset,’ he says. ‘It’s an and B as I read the news I remember thinking, aspect of confidence to take forward in life. All children “My children will never know what it’s like to should be taught to debate, whether that’s formal debate live under the threat of Armageddon”,’ he says. or what the Americans would call the ability to argue.’ This was a very real threat when Edward and his Edward agrees. ‘Being able to get up in front of a room debating partner and friend, Sir Nicholas Mostyn, full of people and to engage with them is hugely valuable, were at school in the late 60s and early 70s. ‘I remember whatever field you go into. And even more if you can discussing what we’d do if the Russians invaded and actually make yourself enjoy it, which we did. If you can swept across the West German plain,’ says Sir Nicholas, put a good case, it can make an enormous difference.’ ‘and whether we’d fire nuclear weapons or not. Both men also agree that the other great skill debating Debating society encouraged us to talk about politics teaches is that of listening. ‘I remember hearing John and to develop our ideas.’ Humphrys interviewing Clare Short during the Iran-Iraq Thrown together by chance after another pupil dropped war,’ says Edward. ‘At one point she referred to a out, Edward and Sir Nicholas went on to win the Observer transcript of a conversation that the UN Secretary- Schools’ Mace (now the ESU Schools’ Mace) in 1975, General Kofi Annan had had, which had come from speaking in favour of a referendum on the European intelligence sources. There was a moment of pause when Union. In his closing comments, Lord Hailsham, one you could almost hear John’s brain whirring and he said, of the judges, advised the young debaters to ‘speak “I’m sorry, are you telling me we bug the UN Secretary- more slowly…, to eschew clichés, and to remember General?” And at that point the interview went down a what Churchill had once told him, that “If you can totally different course. It’s that kind of ability to pick up speak in this country, you can do anything”.’ on a weakness or an unexpected point, and to never stop The advice stuck with them (as has their memory listening which I think is a really valuable skill.’ of the ceremonial mace they won. ‘I remember your SUPPORT OUR WORK

great aunt Magda saying that evening “What’s that? CHARLIE HOPKINSON Have you won a sword?”’, laughs Sir Nicholas), and Your donations help us ensure many more young both now make their living through speaking. Indeed, poeple have the oracy skills and confidence they Sir Nicholas, who studied sciences at A level and need to thrive. Please visit portal.esu.org/donation PHOTOGRAPHY

32 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 33 OUR WORK DEBATE DALIA ADILLON

one moment that I have never forgotten older people are supposed to be talking. idea of robotic companionship seriously. ILLUSTRATION because it changed my mind. I had been Younger people are supposed to be listening. Once we assume it as the new normal, bringing robots designed as companions This is the contract between generations. this conversation begins to disappear. for the elderly into nursing homes and Some older cultures have a saying: when Right now we work on the premise that to elderly people living on their own to a young person misbehaves, it means putting in a robot to do a job is always explore the possibilities. One day I saw an that ‘they had no one to tell them the old better than nothing. The premise is flawed. older woman who had lost a child talking stories’. When we celebrate robot listeners It’s part of a general progression that begins to a robot in the shape of a baby seal. that cannot listen, we show too little with resignation, with the idea that machine It seemed to be looking in her eyes; to be interest in what our elders have to say. companionship is better than nothing, following the conversation. It comforted We build machines that guarantee that as in ‘there are no people for these jobs’. her. Many people on my research team human stories will fall upon deaf ears. From there, we exalt the possibilities of what and who worked at the nursing home There are so many wonderful things that simulation can offer until, in time, we start thought this was amazing. robots can do to help the elderly. They can to talk as though what we will get from the This woman was trying to make sense help older people (or the ill or homebound) artificial may actually be better that what of her loss with a machine that put on a feel greater independence by reaching for life could ever provide. But if you have good show. And we’re vulnerable: people cans or clothing on high shelves; robots a problem with care and companionship experience even pretend empathy as the can help shaky hands cook. Robots can and you try to solve it with a robot, you real thing. But robots can’t empathise. may not try to solve it with your friends, They don’t face death or know life. ‘What is the value of an your family, and your community. So when this woman took comfort in her interaction that contains no The as-if self of a robot calling forth robot companion, I didn’t find it amazing. the as-if self of a person performing for I felt we had abandoned her. Being part of shared experience of life and it – this is not helpful for children as they this scene was one of the most wrenching contributes nothing to a shared grow up. It is not helpful for adults as moments in my then 15 years of research they try to live authentically. on sociable robotics. store of human meaning – and And to say that it is just the thing for For me, it was a turning point: I felt the indeed may devalue it?’ older people who are at that point where enthusiasm of my team and of the staff they are often trying to make sense of their and the attendants. There were so many help to lower an unsteady body onto lives is demeaning. They, of all people, people there to help, but we all stood back, a bed, or locate a mislaid pair of glasses. should be given occasions to talk about observers hoping that an elder would bond All of these things seem so much for the their real lives, filled with with a machine. It seemed that we all had good. Some argue that a robot chatting real losses and real loves, a stake in outsourcing the thing we do with an older person is also unequivocally to someone who knows any people tell me they hope best – understanding each other, taking for the good. But here, I think we need what those things are. that someday an advanced care of each other. to carefully consider the human specificity This is an edited extract version of Siri will be like That day in the nursing home, I was of conversation and emotional care. from Reclaiming a best friend. One who will troubled by how we allowed ourselves to Sociable robots act as evocative objects Conversation, The Power Will voice-technologies Mlisten when others won’t. I believe this be sidelined, turned into spectators by a – objects that cause us to reflect on of Talk in a Digital Age by reflects a painful truth: the feeling that ‘no robot that understood nothing. It reflected ourselves and our deepest values. Talking Sherry Turkle (Penguin) render us mute? one is listening to me’ plays a large part in poorly on us and how we think about older with machines forces the question: what our relationships with technology. That’s people when they try to tell the stories of is the value of an interaction that There has been much made of technology’s deleterious why it is so appealing to have a Facebook their lives. Over the past decades, when the contains no shared experience of life WHAT DO YOU THINK? effects on dialogue. But what should we make of the rise page or a Twitter feed – so many automatic idea of older people and robots has come and contributes nothing to a shared store Do you think Facebook, Twitter etc help listeners. And that feeling that ‘no one is up, the emphasis has been on whether the of human meaning – and indeed may us to feel listened to? Could you imagine of voice-assisted ‘caring’ robots? Is the speech they elicit listening to me’ makes us want to spend older person will talk to the robot. Will devalue it? This is not a question with ever wanting to talk to a robot instead enough to rekindle the art of conversation, or the final nail time with machines that seem to care the robot facilitate their talking? Will the a ready answer. But this is a question of a friend? Do you think we’re in danger about us. We take their performances of robot be persuasive enough to do that? worth asking and returning to. of losing the art of conversation, or can in its coffin? Sherry Turkle, Professor of the Social Studies caring and conversation at ‘interface value’. But when you think about the moment It is not easy to have this kind of robots help us rekindle it? Please email us of Science and Technology at MIT, shares her thoughts In the course of my research, there was of life we are considering, it is not just that conversation once we start to take the at [email protected] or tweet @theesu

34 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 35 MEMBERS

icture the scene. It’s August 1940. A home from home when Allen, his siblings and 15 other British The battle of Dunkirk in May has The Berrys, who had a daughter of their evacuees took part in a live radio link-up left the British army materially own, took Allen to their home in Montclair, with their parents back home in the UK, devastated. Hitler has ordered a leafy commuter town in New Jersey, facilitated by The National Broadcasting POperation Sea Lion – the land invasion of west of New York, while Rona and Neville Company (NBC) in New York and the the British mainland – to take place in went to acquaintances of the Berrys nearby. BBC in London, and filmed by British September and the Luftwaffe has begun ‘The situation was quite confusing,’ Movietone News. A US paper reported that its aerial attack in preparation. The Battle remembers Allen. ‘I’m not sure that we really Rona managed a cheerful ‘Hello mommy; of Britain is underway. What would you knew where we were, and we didn’t know hello daddy’, and Neville ‘laughed with do to ensure your children were safe? where America was – I certainly didn’t!’ joy at the sound of his parents’ voices’, Like many other parents at the time, The children’s foster families were clearly but it was all too much for little Allen Bristolians Frank and Cecily Whittaker keen to help them settle in – and to spoil who ‘just couldn’t hold back the tears’. decided that the answer was to send their them a little. Allen and his brother Neville Life soon settled down however. Black three children – Rona (nine), Neville (seven) spent two weeks on the Jersey shore with and white photos show Allen tricycling A Safe Refuge and Allen (five) – abroad, far from enemy their respective families, and then, in and playing with friends in the lawned bombs. Through the English-Speaking September, Allen and Rona enjoyed a front gardens of his neighbourhood’s streets. Allen Whittaker has been a member of our Union and its sister organisation in trip to the New York World’s Fair, where Allen remembers happy days at Watchung Bristol branch for over 50 years, but his America, they arranged for their children Allen had explored the new streamlined School (where the drilled loyalty to the to stay with foster families there. Coronation Scot locomotive on display there. flag made a deep impression), and holidays relationship with the English-Speaking Union On 16th August the children boarded More excitement followed in October spent with his siblings on the coast of goes back much further – to August 1940 the RMS Duchess of Atholl in Liverpool

for a voyage that would take ten days. OPPOSITE, FROM TOP: ALLEN AND HIS FOSTER FAMILY, THE BERRYS; ALLEN AT when he was evacuated to the USA at the HOME TODAY THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: THE RMS DUCHESS ‘It was very daunting, even though we OF ATHOLL; ALLEN AND HIS SISTER RONA AT NBC NEW YORK; THE THREE age of five to live with foster parents found didn’t fully understand the situation we WHITTAKER SIBLINGS ON THEIR ARRIVAL; CHRISTMAS AT THE BERRYS for him by the ESU. This is his story… were in,’ says Allen. ‘I later found out that there were rumours the ship was being WORDS LUCY MCDONNELL & NATASHA GOODFELLOW shadowed by a U-boat – although this has PHOTOGRAPHY CHARLIE HOPKINSON never been confirmed.’ Just the day before their departure, 74 Luftwaffe aircraft had launched raids on England. The day after the children had left, Hitler declared a naval blockade on Britain, allowing any ships to be fired on, whatever their type. Five nights later – and still four days before the Duchess docked in Montreal, 16 tons of high explosive bombs fell on Filton, just outside Bristol. Frank and Cecily must have been worried sick, as Allen’s foster parents, Sydney and Sue Berry, could well appreciate. ‘We have all tried to imagine your mental state during the time the children were on the sea,’ they wrote back to Bristol as soon as the children arrived, ‘and we thank God they have come through so well. Allen’s keen mind, his infectious laugh and his sturdy independence have quite captured our hearts.’

36 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 37 MEMBERS OUR WORK

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: NEIGHBOURHOOD FRIENDS IN NEW JERSEY; THE WHITTAKER FAMILY TOGETHER AGAIN IN 1945; ALLEN'S POSTCARD HOME FROM THE WORLD'S FAIR; PLAYING WITH NEW FRIENDS

New Jersey. ‘My foster father introduced Spotlight on... me to photography and birdwatching in the marshes there, and I’ve been keenly interested ever since,’ he says. For his part, MARJORIE Allen introduced his new family to British English. ‘We now say lift for elevator, PAGE lavatory for bathroom, sweet for candy,’ Education lead, wrote Sydney to Allen’s father. More vivid still are Allen’s memories South Wales branch of aircraft caught in searchlight beams while they were identified. ‘Towards the With over 380 members, South end of the war, while V2s were falling Wales is one of our largest and on south-east England, rumours were most active branches. We caught MARJORIE (FAR LEFT) WITH JUDGES AT THIS YEAR′S PERFORMING SHAKESPEARE COMPETITION IN WALES going about that within three months up with education lead, Marjorie the Germans would have perfected a Page, who runs a number of trans-Atlantic rocket, thus bringing the ‘There was more Allen in Portsmouth, Frank had sensed them the ability to express themselves, this sort of thing, the better.’ Having started Blitz to the United States,’ he says. A there might be difficulties of this kind ahead: successful programmes with and the initiatives of the English-Speaking out with one group of schools in Cardiff, terrifying prospect for everyone, but perhaps freedom in America. ‘Undoubtedly he is quite a handful,’ he wrote schools right across the region Union perform that purpose.’ the programme has expanded to reach particularly for Allen’s parents and all others People were more to Sydney, ‘…but with Mummy’s tact I Having worked across Wales in several hundred children across South who had thought their children would be expect it will work out alright in due course’. rom Swansea in the south, to previous roles as an English teacher, Wales. ‘We run workshops in three areas safe in America. ‘Much later on, once my open and mixed more Despite these adaptations and the Flintshire in the north, the an adviser, a schools’ inspector and in for ten schools in each, with ten children foster father had died, I learnt that my foster than in this country’ traumatic circumstances of his evacuation, Feducational reach of the South Wales curriculum development, Marjorie used from each school coming, so those days can parents had signed a deed of appointment the experience was undoubtedly a happy branch extends far beyond its Cardiff her contacts to build up a network of get a bit chaotic!’ she says. These schools whereby, had anything happened to my one and Allen treasures the friendships he city base. A lot of that is down to the schools in several counties. Each year the then go on to pick a team of three for the parents back home, I would have been hardly been affected by rationing at all in made in the States. The American families organisational skills, contacts and branch invites these, and other, schools to competition, run along the same lines as adopted by the Berrys,’ says Allen. ‘Looking America, so it was quite disconcerting to and their friends raised funds for Frank’s commitment of Marjorie Page and take part in the regional heats of both the the senior public speaking competition. back on it, that came as quite a shock.’ come back to that,’ he says. It must have children’s homes and, as rationing took its her hard-working committee. Performing Shakespeare and the Public ‘The kids really benefit from the training,’ given Allen’s father cause for concern too. toll, they sent the Whittakers care packages, Marjorie first joined the South Wales Speaking Competitions, with free says Marjorie, ‘and they really enjoy it.’ Lasting friendships In his first letter back to Sydney Berry after ‘their arrival always most eagerly awaited,’ branch ten years ago, when she was still training days offered ahead of the latter. Of course there are always challenges On 28th May 1945, just three weeks Allen’s arrival he wrote: ‘He is a thin boy smiles Allen. He has been back to visit three working as the English Officer at ACCAC, ‘That was my initiative,’ says Marjorie. and Marjorie struggles to find volunteers after Victory in Europe Day, Allen was but I gather he has an appetite that carries times, staying with the daughter of his foster the Welsh Curriculum and Assessment ‘I did it myself for the first year or so, who have the time to commit to the found a space aboard the warship HMS on and on.’ family, and those of his siblings, visiting Authority, and as a local education but I have a daughter who is also an branch’s ambitious plans. But despite this, Sheffield and returned home after five Frank was of course delighted to see Allen his former school and meeting up with old authority adviser. At that stage, she English teacher who works with me now. its scope is impressive, and Marjorie years away. (Rona and Neville returned again, and to find him fit and well. ‘He seems friends. ‘I think what my experience gave only had to time to attend the branch’s We spend a whole day with a group of has high praise for her committee. ‘A lot on other ships.) Though he was overjoyed a very natural character and able to enter me most was a sense of awareness,’ he says; fundraising literary lunches. But once between 20 and 30 children. There’s no of people are involved in organising these to be back, he recalls being shocked at into everything. It means so much that he ‘an understanding of how societies and she semi-retired, she accepted Branch obligation to the school, but we hope they competitions and they’re all giving their the state of the country to which he had is like that.’ This particular characteristic, cultures rub along, and of other people’s Chairman Derek Morgan’s invitation to then enter our competition heats in the time for free. I’m very grateful to them returned. Bristol had suffered 77 air raids; apparently so positive, was not without points of view, which, after all, is what lead on the branch’s work with schools – autumn, and most of the time they do.’ all for the work they do. It’s not just me!’ nearly 85,000 of its buildings had been its difficulties for Allen as he readjusted we all need if we are to live in peace and and she hasn’t looked back since. The South Wales branch also offers a demolished or destroyed, and Allen’s father to life here, however. ‘There was more harmony with one another.’ ‘In Wales we have far fewer private series of primary school speaking and FOR MORE INFORMATION Frank had founded two homes to house freedom in America,’ he says. ‘People schools than in England. We have state listening workshops, leading up to a junior If you would like to volunteer your time to children made homeless or orphaned were more open, less reserved, and mixed GET IN TOUCH schools, and we have a lot of areas of public speaking competition. This is the support our education initiatives across through the Nazi air raids – but it was more than in this country; there were closer Has the ESU played an important part in deprivation,’ says Marjorie. ‘The vast work that Marjorie is proudest of. ‘The England and Wales, please get in touch with rationing that made the strongest impact bonds. I remember having to revert back to your life? We’d love to hear your story. majority of children here need something children have no inhibitions at that age, and your local branch. You'll find it listed at on Allen, still only ten years old. ‘We’d the English culture.’ Even on first meeting Please drop us a line at [email protected]. that boosts their self-confidence and gives the earlier you can get them used to doing esu.org/branches

38 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 39 ALUMNI STORIES ALUMNI

‘Comedy is surprising people with the truth, and that’s something that we we learned to do in debating’

ABIE PHILBIN BOWMAN COMEDIAN AND BROADCASTER

ack in 2000, Abie Philbin Bowman was in his with the truth – and that’s something we learned penultimate year of school when he decided to to do through debating.’ enter the Schools’ Mace debating competition Over the last ten years, Abie’s love of current affairs – not because he particularly wanted to win, but has prompted his move from the arts into reporting and because B he was at an all-boys school. ‘I really wanted to presenting for RTÉ Radio. ‘One day I’m doing a report meet smart women!’ he laughs. There were other reasons, on what’s happening in Rakhine State in Burma, another too. Having grown up in a house where heated discussion day I’m reporting on US politics.’ But whatever he turns was the norm, debating had always seemed like a natural his hand to, Abie believes that good communication is choice. ‘My eldest brother Jonathan really taught me how at the core of his success, professionally and personally. to debate,’ says Abie. ‘He loved a good row, in fact he ‘I have a motto: whatever the problem, the solution is would often take a position I knew he didn’t believe in, communication. When people get really disillusioned just to prove how good he was at arguing.’ or depressed, it’s because they feel no one is listening The Schools’ Mace final was only a few months away to them and no one understands.’ when Jonathan died in a sudden accident. Shocked to And that’s why he thinks that teaching debating skills his core, ‘especially by the thought that I could never – the ability to communicate effectively, to articulate have a conversation with him again,’ Abie channelled your ideas and to listen to other people’s viewpoints – is his energies into the Mace final. ‘The organisers said so important. ‘Helping kids who are more disadvantaged that, given the circumstances, they were happy to let to express themselves and to have the confidence to do me pass automatically to the next round,’ he says. so – that can be life-changing,’ he says. ‘It’s good to ‘And I remember saying, “No way. I really need teach kids how to argue. They won’t always be right, and something positive to focus on and this is that thing.” they will definitely have opinions you won’t agree with, Throwing myself into performing and arguing was very but that’s the world. Kids need to be able to articulate therapeutic.’ Abie and teammate Manus de Barra went how they feel, to be listened to, and to be challenged. on to win both the national and international finals, Empowering people from all levels of society, and and Abie has thrown himself into performance ever particularly those who tend to be more isolated since, ‘all the time trying to combine two things: and overlooked, is incredibly important.’ making an argument, but making it in an engaging and entertaining way.’ SUPPORT OUR WORK Your donations help us ensure many more ‘Communication is not just about telling people stuff,’ CHARLIE HOPKINSON he continues. ‘It’s about saying stuff where people’s eyes young people have the oracy skills and light up and they go, “Ah, yes, I know exactly what you confidence they need to thrive. Please mean.” Comedy, fundamentally, is surprising people visit portal.esu.org/donation PHOTOGRAPHY

40 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 41 LEGACY

IT’S IN YOUR GIFT Leaving a legacy is your chance to make a lasting impact, bringing skills and opportunities to those who may not otherwise be able to access them. We look at three of the ESU’s generous benefactors and the difference their help has made

n a December afternoon in Battersea, warm,’ says Roger. Her reply was unexpected. ‘She told London, a class of nine-year-old me that, if necessary, she could move next door because primary school children is debating she owned that house too.’ She stayed put and, when the pros and cons of zoos. Things get she died some months later, it became apparent that she heated rather quickly, but, refreshingly, had inherited both money and property from her parents positions are not yet entrenched. ‘I thought that zoos and in fact owned several houses in the area. Owere just somewhere people kept animals but now I see Having no family, Joyce left her estate in equal portions that zoos make sure that endangered species are safe,’ to a handful of organisations close to her, including the says Isaiah after the class. It’s inspiring to see – and not Royal National Lifeboat Institution, St Paul’s Church in only for the observers. ‘I’m going to use my debate skills Brighton, and the English-Speaking Union. ‘I think Joyce to change the world!’ says Isaiah’s classmate, Devron. enjoyed the ESU for the social contact and friendship, This is a Discover Debating workshop, offered for free the stimulating branch talks and the opportunity to use to over 2,000 children in more than 100 state primary her considerable organisational skills,’ says Roger. ‘I think schools with indicators of need during our centenary it offered her a sense of belonging.’ Arthur Collins, now year. That we are able to do this is, in part, down to President of the Brighton branch, knew Joyce well and a generous legacy – the largest single gift the charity agrees with Roger, and adds that the charity’s aims has ever received – left to the ESU in 2003. appealed to her too. ‘Joyce was a tax collector for the The legacy, which amounted to over £500,000, was Inland Revenue and sometimes had to appear in court a gift from Joyce Rolf, a long-standing member of the to give evidence against people, so the correct use of the Brighton and Hove branch of the ESU and its secretary English language was important to her,’ he says. She was for many years. Although friends were aware that she had also clearly a critical thinker with an eye for detail. ‘Her been brought up ‘wanting for nothing’, thanks to both accountant later told me that Joyce would go to see him her mother’s and father’s families having successful once a month – and that he often felt quite sore about fishmonger’s businesses, Joyce the interrogation she inflicted on him.’ herself lived frugally, in a small Though Joyce did not stipulate that bungalow at the end of an unmade ‘Joyce, a long-standing her legacy should be used in a road. Her friend and fellow ESU particular way, it seems fitting then RUI RICARDO RUI ILLUSTRATION member Roger Tilbury remembers member of the that the ESU’s trustees have chosen visiting her in the winter before her Brighton branch, lived to restrict the fund for scholarship death to find her with a faulty boiler and educational programmes, such as and muffled up against the cold – frugally, in a small Discover Debating, as well as making and refusing all offers of help. bungalow at the end an annual donation to the Brighton ‘Eventually I pressed her to move branch to support the memorial lecture

out for a while and find somewhere of an unmade road’ which has been set up in her name. GOODFELLOW NATASHA

42 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 FEATURE Spring 2018 100.esu.org 43 LEGACY THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS NEWS FROM THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION

Changing lives HOW YOU CAN HELP In contrast to Joyce, some We all want to leave the world tax and income tax and, in some benefactors do choose to set a better place. We all want to cases, can help reduce the out how their legacies should make a difference. By leaving a amount in your estate to below THINKING be used. Mr Westbury Preston, legacy to the English-Speaking the inheritance tax threshold, ‘a long-time hon. Legal Adviser Union, you can do this in a very protecting your assets for to the Union and most active worker real sense. loved ones. for it’, who died in 1948, desired his gift, Through leaving a legacy to the In all cases, it’s a good idea to consult a solicitor to ensure your differently which amounted to around half of his English-Speaking Union, you’ll be total estate, to be used for ‘educational ensuring that more young people intentions can be realised as you We are delighted to announce that one result of conversations with young people purposes’. Invested as an endowment in can express themselves, and listen wish. The Law Society can help of our partnership programmes has been about how best to give feedback to mental his name, the capital continues to grow, to each other, well. You’ll be you find a solicitor in your area; highly commended at this year’s National health services. As a result, over 50 young while the interest alone has since enabled ensuring that children from less see lawsociety.org.uk or call Children & Young People’s Mental Health people across seven services in London have all manner of activities, including debate advantaged backgrounds have the 020 7320 5650. Awards. London Debating Mental Health is had the opportunity to learn key debate tours of America for British students, opportunity to develop the oracy an initiative empowering young people using skills so that they can raise their voices Capitol Hill internships at the United States skills and confidence they need What if I can only leave mental health services to speak out about the and tell mental health decision and policy Congress, and for teachers from Sri Lanka, India, to thrive. You’ll be promoting a small gift? mental health issues that matter to them. makers what’s important to them. Mauritius and other countries to attend ESU the global exchange of ideas, Every gift, however large or small, The project was a collaboration between ‘Before my first session I had very low conferences in Britain. Today, it is primarily used to ensuring greater international will help us to tackle inequality and London & South East CYP IAPT Learning self-esteem and didn’t feel confident give bursaries to students needing financial support to understanding and respect. You’ll enable more young people to Collaborative; South West London and speaking up for myself. Now I know that be able to take up a placement on the Secondary School be giving young people a voice, reach their full potential, so we’re St. George’s NHS Mental Health Trust; other people are in the same situation as Exchange programme – a once-in-a-lifetime chance and ensuring yours lives on. extremely grateful for whatever the Anna Freud National Centre for me and it’s OK to talk about it,’ says Holly, to spend a year at an American high school. you can spare. Children and Families; and Facebook UK, a participant in the Sutton programme this In 1970, Brigadier Charles Lionel Lindemann was even Leaving a legacy with the English-Speaking Union providing year, who suffers from autism. ‘I’ve learnt a more specific. A keen physicist who, with his brother If you’d like to leave a legacy to Regular giving the curriculum and ESU mentors delivering lot; I now feel I can be myself; and I’ve made Professor Frederick Alexander Lindemann (Churchill’s the ESU, it’s as simple as Regular donations help us to plan the programme. The programme started as a a lot of friends which is a big deal for me.’ personal scientific secretary during WWII), had invented including a line in your will with our finances and enable us to a type of glass for transmitting X-rays, he believed the our name and charity number take a longer-term view. You ESU was ‘unusually well qualified’ to advise on academic (273136). You could choose to can set up a regular donation placements in America, and set up a trust to do just that, leave a percentage of the net at portal.esu.org/donation. asking the Union to administer them. His will specified value of your estate once all taxes, his wish that ‘generous fellowships in physical science dues and other gifts have been Making a donation [would help] further pure scientific research by accounted for (also known as a If you’d rather not commit to Launch of outstanding people who might otherwise feel unable residuary gift); a fixed amount regular giving at the moment, to pursue this type of work’. Today, the grants amount of money (a pecuniary gift); or a one-off donation will always to $40,000 each and over 130 scientists have been able specific possessions – typically support our work in helping young 100.ESU.ORG to further their studies, and their careers, in this way. land, shares or property. If you people realise their full potential. To mark our anniversary, we have launched a new Dr. Martin Laming, who spent a year at the Smithsonian would like your legacy to be You can make a donation at microsite, 100.esu.org, to showcase the life-changing Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts, put towards a specific element portal.esu.org/donation. impact of our oracy programmes and cultural credits the fellowship with allowing him to change of our work, such as Discover exchanges through a variety of compelling direction in his work. ‘Quite simply, it changed my life,’ Debating or the upkeep of For more information on leaving multimedia stories from our alumni, from broadcaster he says. And that, whether we’re helping young people Dartmouth House, we will a legacy or making a donation, Anita Anand to writer and director Dick Clement and with cultural exchange and understanding, or improving always try to enable this. please contact Ian Stokes, musician KT Tunstall. You can also find out more about their oracy skills, is what the ESU is all about. Charitable donations are Director of Development our history, and donate directly to support our work. generally exempt from at [email protected] or inheritance tax, capital gains call 020 7529 1588.

44 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 46 NEWS NEWS

BRIGHTON REACH

Two state schools in Brighton, the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy and Varndean School, have benefitted from Discover Causing a Your Voice workshops courtesy of the Brighton branch of the ESU. HUB-BUB Member Neil Hargreaves, helped Our new Saturday hub days – an by Pam Eaves, made contact with alternative format for the branch BACA and Varndean, both of heats and finals stages of the which eagerly accepted their ESU-Churchill Public Speaking offer. Nearly 100 students Competition – have got off to a attended the workshops, with a great start with positive feedback visible increase in their self- from students, teachers and parents confidence. BACA is now keen to alike. The hub days in Birmingham, enter a team in next year’s Public Manchester and Newcastle, which Speaking Competition, with the Bursary boost replaced a series of smaller branch teacher at Varndean similarly The Nina and Roger Stewart Charitable with the idea of teenagers learning to heats and finals in these areas, were enthusiastic. ‘The ESU workshops DELEGATES FROM THE are fantastic,’ he says. Trust has kindly donated £5,000 to the argue, discuss and debate.’ The project not only far easier to organise, with 2017 INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING ‘Our students learned so much English-Speaking Union to fund ten was brought to Lynette’s attention by her fewer venues and judges required; and I am keen to build on this.’ bursaries for students who wouldn’t son-in-law who has mentored at Debate the larger numbers at each event otherwise be able to attend our summer Academy and is now a partner at (typically around 100) made for a school, Debate Academy, this year. ‘Nina McKinsey, and who feels these skills make much greater sense of occasion. always “gave very good talk”,’ says Lynette a big difference to young people’s lives. There were other benefits, too. ‘The Saturday morning timing means Craig, who with her husband administers ‘It’s a question of personal fulfilment,’ says Get set for May students arrived refreshed and able the trust. ‘She was very interested in Lynette. ‘I think it’s powerful for children Between 14th and 19th May 2018, centenary in London alongside ICM to give their best,’ says Johanna politics, very involved and knowledgeable, to know they are considered good enough the ESU will welcome members, delegates. They will have the chance McEvedy, a teacher at Newcastle and we feel she would have been happy to deserve an opportunity like this.’ delegates, chairmen and public speaking to attend cultural excursions and social High School for Girls, which hosted participants from over 50 countries events including celebratory dinners the Newcastle hub day. ‘What’s more, the students who didn’t make to Dartmouth House, as we host the and talks, and will also be invited the final stayed to watch their peers, International Council Meeting alongside to the IPSC final. and so had more opportunities to both a World Member’s Conference This exciting contest sees international observe good practice.’ and the International Public Speaking ESUs each represented by their young ‘I was nervous about hosting Competition (IPSC). national public speaking competition BRANCHING OUT the day, but it was such a total The International Council Meeting winners and is a celebration of the oracy success that I have offered to (ICM) sees representatives from ESUs work undertaken by the entire ESU Welcome to our newest ESU branch, in Buckinghamshire. host it again next year.’ worldwide come together to develop our community. The most talented young Chaired by Simon Kearey (pictured), the branch’s geographical The national final took place after international education agenda for the speakers will deliver five-minute speeches focus will be centred around High Wycombe and the surrounding we went to press – please see coming year. Alongside this, members on the topic: ‘The best way to predict the area. Please see esu.org/branches for more information. esu.org for the winners. of the ESU here in the UK and around future is to invent it’. We look forward the globe are invited to celebrate the to hearing their ideas.

47 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 48 NEWS NEWS

Putting oracy centre stage On the 22nd March we attended The Great Oracy Exhibition, hosted by School 21, (the pioneering London school which puts oracy at the centre of learning) for a day dedicated to showcasing all strands of oracy education and attended by around 200 teachers. We were delighted to be asked to present our Discover Debating programme and how it develops the key skills of reasoning and evidence; listening and response; organistion and prioritisation; and expression and delivery. We also attended several insightful talks on subjects including how to use current affairs content to develop thinking skills, by The Economist Through the keyhole Foundation. ‘It was an inspiring day and one which reinforced We’re excited to announce that my belief about the vital importance of spoken language skills,’ Dartmouth House will be part of the says Duncan Partridge, the ESU’s Director of Education. acclaimed Open House London event this year. On Sunday 23rd September, for the first time in our history, we will be open to the public. Visitors will have the chance to explore our Grade II* listed headquarters and find out more about £7,500 donation to fund Discover Debating heads East AND THE the ESU’s fascinating history. More Discover Debating After its successful launch the tools with which to say it,’ details and full Open House listings in London, South Wales, the says Jan Knight, a teacher at WINNERS ARE… will be available in mid-August at The Norwich Freemen’s Charity has generously donated North-East and the Midlands, St Mary's Roman Catholic Congratulations to the winners of our recent Schools’ openhouselondon.org.uk. £7,500 to the English-Speaking Union’s Discover our flagship debating Primary School, which is taking Mace and Performing Shakespeare competitions Debating programme. The funds will provide for three programme for primary schools part in the programme this year. three-term and five two-term programmes, all in will launch in the East of ‘This programme gives them James Anderson of St. Thomas which prompted an interesting underprivileged state-sector primary schools within a England in September 2018. those tools, and now they More High School, Essex, has conversation between our panellists 20 mile-radius of Norwich. ‘The trustees are interested Staff at Dartmouth House feel more confident in how been announced as the winner of including actors Jennifer Rigby, in giving grants that produce long-term change, and and the ESU Lincolnshire to express themselves.’ Best Monologue at the Performing Benet Brandreth QC, and Discover Debating appears to offer that potential,’ says branch have begun recruiting Discover Debating is open Shakespeare Competition Grand Bathsheba Piepe. David Hynes, Chief Executive of the Norwich Charitable mentors who will deliver until 8th June for applications Final on 20th March, with Ashton Sparsh and Ramarni (pictured) Trusts, of which the charity is a part. ‘Although Norwich the programme in primary for the next academic year. Williams & Siõn Thomas of Ysgol from Wellington College, is a fantastic city, it rates very low on the social mobility schools across the region. For more information and Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe in Berkshire, took home the scale and we hope this programme will not only give ‘Our children have a lot to to sign up visit esu.org/ Swansea winning the award for winning trophy in The Schools’ young people who may not otherwise have the discover-debating opportunity an understanding of how various parts say, but often they don’t have . best duologue. Corbin Abbasi Mace National Final on 21st of the world work, but also help them develop won the Don Miller audience March, beating teams from the confidence in themselves that their award, and Toby Owers was highly 12 other schools. The judging thoughts and ideas are as worthwhile as commended (both pupils are from panel included Schools’ Mace anybody else’s. Perse Upper School in Cambridge). alumni and Channel 4 journalist, ‘It’s not OK that some people get more Thirty pupils made it through 11 Krishnan Guru-Murthy (also STOP PRESS! opportunity than other people, just through regional finals across England and pictured, on far right). an accident of birth,’ continues David, who Wales to take part in the event Our thanks go to all the Maxwell Duncan, who won the Outstanding looks forward to visiting the project once it at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre. schools and branches involved Personality award at last year’s Public is running. ‘As a charity we’re trying to even Performances were followed by a in organising and running Speaking Competition, has been selected to up the playing field.’ panel discussion on Shakespeare these competitions, your help represent England at the ESU International as a Tool for Social Change, is greatly appreciated. Public Speaking Competition this May.

48 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 100.esu.org 49 PEOPLE

WH 'S WH at the ESU? Say hello to some of our members, governors and staff and find out what makes them tick

BARBARA When has oracy helped you JAMES JOSEPHINE FIRTH in your life? SCRUBY GOUGH ESU Governor, Throughout my career oracy ESU Governor, Discover Your joined 2010 has been an important vehicle joined 2013 Voice Officer, joined 2017 for success, particularly when What did What did you want to I gave the keynote speech What did you want to you want to be when you grew up? to over 200 teachers at a be when you grew up? be when you grew up? I’ve always loved taking machines conference in Chile. An archaeologist or an ice I wanted to be a presenter apart to ‘mend’ them, so perhaps cream van driver – I always on Blue Peter, an actress, there was a mechanical engineer JAMES saw them reading in their a speech and language lurking in there somewhere. COOK vans surrounded by nature therapist or a barrister. I still like to try to fix things Public Speaking and thought it seemed like In the end, I became a Competition rather than buying new. a lovely job. drama teacher. organiser, York branch, What made you want to join joined 1994 the ESU? What made you want What made you want to I was incredibly fortunate to join the ESU? join the ESU? As a child, what did you want to be awarded an SSE (then The founding ethos and When I was a senior manager to be when you grew up? BASS) scholarship when I was current focus on oracy for a local authority we I wanted to be a famous 17. I joined as a member in skills for young people. engaged with the ESU songwriter or composer. 2013 as I felt it was time to to provide debating and What are you proudest of What made you want to join ‘put something back’. public speaking training. in your ESU journey so far? the ESU? It was a great success What do you hope to achieve? Having organised the brand I wanted to be part of the spirit and a wonderful way of Having had a wonderful new hub days for the Public BECOME A YOUNG MEMBER of cultural and intellectual supporting large numbers opportunity from the ESU, Speaking Competition, whilst exchange that the ESU was set of pupils in acquiring I hope to create opportunities still being brand new myself. up to promote and encourage. these important skills for for many more young people. Have you taken part in one of our debate or public speaking When has oracy helped their future careers. What are you proudest of competitions, or a cultural exchange? Or perhaps you’d like to find Tell us a little-known fact you in your life? in your ESU journey so far? What do you hope to about you. Oracy helps me to feel fully out how to get involved? Either way, by joining the English-Speaking The success of the Branch achieve with the ESU? I was born in Kenya and lived engaged with the world Public Speaking Competition Union, you’ll receive the latest information on our life-changing I hope to use my skills and there as a child. through being able to articulate heats over the years. knowledge of the education my ideas and confidently speak programmes, as well as news about opportunities to travel abroad. Who inspires you and why? system to ensure that the Tell us a little-known fact out for what I believe in. I am a huge fan of sailor Sir We also offer work experience and paid employment as a mentor ESU contributes to increasing about you? Robin Knox-Johnston and first Who is the best speaker social mobility for our most I have a fear of cows. or judge, which can help other young people follow in your heard him speak just after disadvantaged young people. you’ve heard? footsteps and boost your communication skills and your CV. Who inspires you and why? his second round-the-world, Labour politician Tony Benn, Tell us a little-known Emmeline Pankhurst and single-handed, non-stop who finished every speech Best of all, ESU membership is free until you’re 23. fact about you the suffragette movement voyage. At that point, fewer with ‘tie your ropes together’ I am a fledgling artist with a – fighting for women’s people had achieved that feat – a great sentiment for To register, and for more information, developing skill in life drawing. right to vote. than had stood on the moon. effective change. To register, and for more more information, visit esu.org/membership visit esu.org/youngmember 50 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018 Spring 2018 www.esu.org 51 CHILDREN HAVE OUR WORK VOICES. HELP THEM TO BE HEARD Donate to the English-Speaking Union

YOUR DONATION CHANGES LIVES Do you believe in the power of communication? Do you believe that all young people, regardless of the school they go to, should have the chance to learn how to express themselves effectively? Do you believe in the global exchange of ideas; that the better we can communicate, the easier it will be to resolve differences? Perhaps you’ve participated in an English-Speaking Union programme or exchange and would like to ensure others have the same opportunities as you? Or perhaps you’re only too aware that reading and writing will only get you so far, it’s being able to talk that opens doors.

Whatever your motivation, donating to the English- Speaking Union will help us to address imbalances in opportunity and ensure that many more young people have the oracy skills and confidence they need to thrive.

Here’s what your donation could provide:

£30 will fund a school to take part in the ESU-Churchill National Public Speaking Competition, boosting young people’s confidence and oracy skills

£100 will fund a partial bursary for a young person to attend Debate Academy, giving them the chance to discuss world affairs

£600 will fund a Discover Your Voice session at a school, helping up to 24 children feel that their voices matter

PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TODAY You can choose to make a regular or a one-off donation. Whichever option you choose, every gift, however large or small, will help us tackle inequalities in opportunity and enable more young people to change their lives and communities for the better, and we’re extremely grateful for whatever you can spare.

To donate, please see portal.esu.org/ donation, or call the finance team on 020 7529 1582. Thank you. 52 Dialogue Magazine Spring 2018