SPCB(2015)Paper 045 3 June 2015
FESTIVAL OF POLITICS 2015: UPDATE
Executive summary
1. The purpose of this Paper is to update and seek the SPCB’s approval on the planning and preparations for the Festival of Politics 2015, in particular the programme, proposed new ticketing structure, partners and budgets.
Background
2. At its meeting on Wednesday 10 December 2014 the SPCB agreed the Festival would take place from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 August based on the same model as the previous two years providing a shorter, sharper and more focused programme developed through discussions with the Presiding Officer and Clerk/Chief Executive.
3. The SPCB also agreed that sessions should be led on the same basis as previous year using experts and commentators; that the Garden Lobby be dressed as a Festival Café Bar; that the ticketing structure be reviewed; and that the central theme would have an international focus.
4. This year’s international theme also feeds into the marketing campaign that will see the Festival of Politics co-promoted and marketed with World Press Photo 2015 and the Michael Peto Photography: Politics in Focus exhibitions (22 July to 22 August) under the strapline Inspiring people to see the world differently.
Issues and options
Programme
5. This year’s programme (Annex A) is organised around four key strands – International politics and democracy; Education, culture and history; Global prosperity; and Geo-politics – under an international theme. The programme contains details of proposed Festival events that have been or are close to being confirmed. Whilst it is hoped that the Festival programme will not change significantly before it goes to print the SPCB’s approval will be sought for any major amendments.
6. Building on the success of the decision to use the Members’ Room to screen the film One Humanity last year, it is proposed that a new film strand be introduced as part of this year’s Festival. This would see films closely related to panel topics being screened in the Members’ Room. For example, screening the film Made in Dagenham would tie-in with the panel on Workers’ Rights in the 21st Century or the lecture and panel on Scotland and Slavery would fit with a screening of 12 Years A Slave. There would also be a short post-film discussion after each screening with the Festival panellists.
7. Seeking to develop the Parliament’s Public Engagement Strategy and focus on engaging young people in the democratic process, this year’s Festival aims to build upon the Presiding Officer’s Sikh Sanjog event in January, the Inspiring Young Women event in March and the forthcoming Holyrood Rocks 2015 event in October, to introduce a new teenage-focussed strand as part of Saturday’s 15 August programme.
8. This would involve The Buzz Project bus being on-site for the weekend; based in Fort William, the project enables young people aged 14-25 to identify and fulfil their potential through music. It is a bus that has been kitted out as a state-of-the-art recording studio and will welcome young people to try out the facilities. There will also be a performance from the Buzz Project’s singer Cileas McMaster, author events and a creative space for workshops on cartooning and vlogging. There will also be performances by teenage dance groups from Sikh Sanjog and Dancebase’s Mini-Jackers, as well as young Indian drummers and Yew, a teenage musician who is also part of the Holyrood Rocks 2015 event.
9. As with previous years, The Scotsman will be the media partner of the Festival of Politics 2015, as the newspaper’s readership both in print and online, would target the Festival’s core audience. The partnership will bring a number of benefits including additional advertising, inserting the Festival programme within the newspaper and a digital email to all online Scotsman subscribers.
The SPCB is asked to consider the above and agree the draft programme as set out in Annex A.
Festival Café Bar
10. The Festival Café bar will again offer a place for Festivalgoers and panellists to continue on-going debates and discussion as well as enjoying the programme of music, poetry and dance. The opening Festival party will see performances by Cileas McMaster from the Buzz Project followed by a quartet from the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland.
11. A lively atmosphere indicative of Saturday’s youth strand will be reflected in performances by Cileas, the Holyrood Rocks’ musician Yew and the blues- influenced band Blueswater. Following feedback from last year’s Festival where a preference for a more low-key atmosphere in the Café Bar area was requested, an acoustic Sunday has been programmed. This involves performances by acoustic-orientated acts including the Bowhill Players who provided the soundtrack to the Joe Corrie Project.
12. As well as the World Press Photo and the Michael Peto: politics in focus exhibitions, an third exhibition titled The Auld Acquaintance which brings together artwork by cartoonists from the Scottish and UK press as well as caricaturists across the globe is proposed for the Festival Café Bar this year. Caricatures, editorial cartoons and comic strips were produced in response to the question on whether Scotland should be an independent country? Ranging from satirical to whimsical and light-hearted, all images would be chosen on the basis of an equal representation of both sides of the argument, if agreed.
Launch and Ticketing
13. Following approval by the SPCB the programme will be launched to Members, the public and media on Tuesday 23 June 2015. The launch is scheduled for this date in order to inform Members prior to recess and to maximise the opportunity to promote the Festival in advance.
14. As agreed by the SPCB, it is proposed that ticket prices are reviewed in order to maximise sales and income generation whilst remaining competitive compared with other festivals in August. Therefore, it is proposed that full price tickets for all committee room and Members’ Room events increase from £5.00 to £6.00 and concessionary tickets increase from £3.50 to £4.00. It is also proposed that Debating Chamber events are charged at £8.00 full price and £6.00 for concessions as the administrative costs for these events are higher than the other venues.
15. To off-set the increase in prices, we are proposing a package ticket deal for festivalgoers whereby if tickets are purchased for two similar events a deduction is offered. For example, if a ticket for Who Will Win America? (£6.00/£4.00) is purchased alongside the screening of All The President’s Men (£6.00/£4.00), then instead of £12.00/£8.00, the festivalgoer would pay £10.00/£7.00 for both events, the same price as last year.
The SPCB is asked to consider this and agree the new ticketing structure for committee, Members’ Room and Debating Chamber events as set out above.
Resource Implications
16. The overall costs for the Festival will come from within budgets already allocated.
Publication Scheme
17. This Paper can be published once the programme has been announced.
Decision
18. The SPCB is invited to consider this Paper and:
18.1 approve the draft programme for the 2015 Festival of Politics as set out in Annex A; and
18.2 agree the new ticketing structure for committee, Members’ Room and Debating Chamber events as set out in paragraphs 12 and 13.
EVENTS AND EXHIBITONS TEAM May 2015 ANNEX A
FESTIVAL OF POLITICS 2015
Friday 14 August
Scotland and Slavery 16:30-18:00 Debating Chamber £8.00/£6.00
While Scotland likes to promote its role in the abolition of slavery, the uncomfortable truth that Scots were also involved in the earlier exploitation of the practise has been somewhat erased from our history books. What was the real role of Scots in the slave trade and what was the legacy? Eminent historian and author Sir Tom Devine will give a lecture on his book Recovering Scotland’s Slavery past: The Caribbean Connection (EUP). This will be followed by a panel discussion chaired by the Presiding Officer. Panellists include Louise Welsh, author and collaborator on The Empire Café 2014 Commonwealth Games Project on Scotland’s involvement with the North Atlantic Slave Trade, the academic and author Sir Geoff Palmer OBE, and historian Stephen Mullen.
A screening of 12 Years A Slave will be shown in the Members’ Room this evening to coincide with this panel. Following the film screening there will be a short panel discussion featuring Sir Geoff Palmer OBE and Glasgow Film Festival Co-Director Allison Gardener (TBC). Please note that a special Festival discount will apply if tickets are bought for this panel and the screening £10.00/£7.00.
What does your Commonwealth do for you? 16:30-18:00 £6.00/£4.00
The Commonwealth today is an association of 53 member countries with nearly 2.5 billion citizens spread across the globe. Detractors perceive it as nothing better than a post- colonial club with very little influence. Its supporters say it promotes democracy, good government and human rights and economic development. Join Chair former BBC special correspondent Allan Little (TBC) to discuss the future of the Commonwealth with Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary-General and former Indian High Commissioner to the UK; journalist Yasmin Alibhai Brown; writer and historian William Dalrymple (TBC) and Professor Philip Murphy, Director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies.
The Democratic Challenge 16:30-18:00 £6.00/£4.00
Voter apathy has become a common complaint from political parties – yet changes could be afoot with overall voting turn out in Scotland at the recent general election at 71.1 %, with that figure rising to 85% in the Referendum last year. So is the tide turning? Join Chair Professor Nicola McEwan, Associate Director, ESRC Scottish Centre on Constitutional Change as she examines the importance of voting and the challenges democracy faces in the 21st century and how a younger generation can drive the democratic process. Panellists include Sue Cameron, The Daily Telegraph, former presenter of Newsnight, Channel Four News and the ITN Parliament Programme; Dr Jan Eichhorn, Chancellor’s Fellow in Social Policy at University of Edinburgh with specialist research into political participation and political culture; and John McCormick, Head of Electoral Commission, Scotland.
12 Years A Slave 18:30-21.30 Members’ Room £6.00/£4.00
Oscar winning film 12 Years A Slave is based on an incredible true story of one man’s fight for survival and freedom. In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender), as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the12th year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt) will forever alter his life.
A short panel discussion featuring Sir Geoff Palmer OBE and Glasgow Film Festival Co- Director Allison Gardener (TBC) will follow the screening. Please note that a special Festival discount will apply if tickets are bought for both this screening and the panel Scotland and Slavery £10.00/£7.00 (concession).
Saturday 15 August
Muslim women – Freedom, femininity and faith 10:30-12:00 £6.00/£4.00
As a Shia Muslim woman, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown will never accept that the veil is a legitimate choice for any woman. In her book Refusing The Veil, she argues and reclaims female human rights and freedoms. British Iranian journalist Ramita Navia has uncovered a Tehran riddled with social, political, religious and sexual contradictions in her book Tehran: City of Lies and Smina Akhtar is Director of Amina, the Muslim Women’s Resource Centre in Glasgow. Join Chair TBC and our panellists to talk about freedom, femininity and faith for Muslim women.
Who Will Win America? 11:00-12:30 £6.00/£4.00
Join our Chair Sarah Smith, BBC and former Channel 4 Washington correspondent (TBC) and panellists for an analysis of the current state of the Democrat and Republican campaigns and the likely outcomes for the U.S. elections in 2016. Panellists include Jason Boxt, pollster and political and communications strategist; Robert Moran, US pollster and political strategist; Glenn Thrush, Senior Staff writer for Politico and White House Correspondent and Carl Bernstein, world renowned investigative journalist and author of A Woman in Charge: The Life of Hillary Rodham Clinton (TBC).
A screening of All The President’s Men will take place in the Members’ Room this evening in conjunction with this session followed by a short post-film discussion with Carl Bernstein, Jason Boxt and Bob Moran for an insiders’ view of American politics and election campaigns. Please note that a special Festival discount will apply if tickets are bought for either for this panel in conjunction with the film screening £10.00/£7.00.
Privacy or national security: Have spy agencies gone too far? 11:30-13:00 £6.00/£4.00
Is terrorism being used an excuse to curtail our personal liberties? In the fallout post Wikileaks and the Edward Snowden revelations are we content that our intelligence services are operating within laws that are fit for purpose and how can we ensure someone is guarding the guardians of our national security? And how do we counter-balance this libertarian outlook with keeping a nation safe in the face of terrorist threats and violent acts that have already taken place around the globe? Join Chair TBC to discuss these issues with panellists Luke Harding, Guardian journalist and author of The Snowden Files: The Inside Story of the World’s Most Wanted Man; Charlie Edwards, Director of the National Security and Resilience Studies Group, Royal United Services Institute (TBC); and Professor Alan Miller, Scottish Human Rights Commissioner.
Freedom of speech 12:00-13:30 £6.00/£4.00
In the aftermath of the attacks on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in January this year which themselves triggered verbal, written and physical attacks around the globe, the defenders of freedom of speech were challenged to redefine and reconsider whether that position does indeed have its limits. Is freedom of speech at odds with the right to offend and is it the basic freedom upon which all other liberties are based upon? Join Chair Professor Alan Miller, Scottish Human Rights Commissioner as our panel debate the definition and impact of freedom of speech. Panellists include Terry Anderson, Scottish Cartoon Art Studio; Ramita Navai, Channel 4 journalist and author; Geoffrey Robertson QC, defence lawyer for Mike Tyson, Salman Rushdie, and Julian Assange (TBC); and Robert Moran, US pollster and political strategist.
In conversation: Carl Bernstein (TBC) 13:30-15.00 Debating Chamber £8.00/£6.00
Carl Bernstein is the Pulitzer Prize-winning American investigative journalist who, alongside Bob Woodward at The Washington Post, uncovered the landmark Watergate case which led to the resignation of President Nixon was documented in the book All The President’s Men. Bernstein has continued to focus on the use and abuse of power in his subsequent written work and is currently a Visiting Presidential Professor at Stony Brook University. He will be in conversation with the Presiding Officer.
Building a peaceful future after genocide 14:00-15.30 £6.00/£4.00 In partnership with Beyond Borders
How do we build peace, unity and reconciliation among people in a region or country when genocide has taken place? Join Chair Mark Muller Stuart QC, human rights lawyer and founder of Beyond Borders and our panel who will explore the social, human and psychological impacts of genocide through the direct experiences of panellists and examine the paths towards forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration and creating a new peaceful future. Panellists include Professor Alan Miller, Scottish Human Rights Commissioner; TBC, human rights lawyer; Geoffrey Robertson QC, defence lawyer for Mike Tyson, Salman Rushdie, and Julian Assange (TBC); and Dr Marko Hoare Associate Professor from Kingston University, London, author and former war-crimes investigator.
What happened to the Arab Spring? 15:00-16.30 £6.00/£4.00 In partnership with Beyond Borders and John Smith Trust Fellows
In 2011, the social and economic realities of the Middle East caught up with the static political system and led to what has come known as The Arab Spring. Four years later widespread disillusion surrounding political development remains, but how has the Arab Spring affected the social and economic realities of the region. Join our panel chaired by former BBC correspondent Allan Little to discuss some of the realities: do young people have a better chance for economic stability and prosperity; are women more socially empowered; and how are societies affected when the majority of the population are aged under 25? Panellists include Jane Kinnimont, Deputy Head of the Middle East and North Africa Programme, Chatham House; Dr Anthony Gorman, Co-Programme Director of International Relations of the Middle East at University of Edinburgh; Ramita Navai, author and Channel 4 journalist Tehran: City of Lies; TBC, Representative, John Smith Trust Fellows programme new leaders of the Middle East.
Education as a global business 16:00-17.30 £6.00/£4.00
With Scottish universities establishing branches across the globe with thousands of alumni ready to dig deep for funding the alma mater and students being referred to as customers, has education taken one step too far into the world of big business and what does it mean for future Scottish students looking to enter high education? Join Chair Tom Freeman, Holyrood magazine’s Education Correspondent as he explores these issues with panellists Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, Principal at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen; Robert Moran, US pollster and political strategist; Professor Leslie Young, Professor of Economics, The Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, Beijing (Hunter Foundation research); and Amy McDermott, University of Stirling Students’ Union President.
Professor Michael J Sandel - Does Democracy have a Future? 16:00-17.30 Debating Chamber £8.00/£6.00 In partnership with Carnegie UK Trust
Hailed as the world’s most popular political philosopher and a legend in the lecture hall who regularly draws audiences of thousands, Professor Michael J Sandel will give a keynote speech on the subject of "Does Democracy have a Future?" followed by a Question and Answer session chaired by the Presiding Officer.
The Harvard professor is one of the best known American public intellectuals. His Harvard lectures fascinate students eager to discuss the big questions of modern political life: bioethics, torture, rights versus responsibilities, the value we put on things. He is famed for his course Justice, which he has delivered for over two decades and is now available as a 12-part TV series with companion website and book: Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? In his newest book, What Money Can't Buy, he challenges the idea that markets are morally neutral.
His ongoing series The Public Philosopher can be heard on BBC Radio 4, which also broadcast his Reith Lectures in 2009. His programme Justice: A Citizen's Guide to the 21st Century was seen on BBC Four, and he has taken his electrifying lectures on a global tour across five continents to great acclaim. In 2010, China Newsweek named him the "most influential foreign figure of the year" in China.
All The President’s Men 18:00- 21.00 Members’ Room £6.00/£4.00
In the run-up to the 1972 elections, Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward covers what seems to be a minor break-in at the Democratic Party National headquarters. He is surprised to find top lawyers already on the defence case, and the discovery of names and addresses of Republican fund organizers on the accused further arouses his suspicions. The editor of the Post is prepared to run with the story and assigns Woodward and Carl Bernstein to it. They find the trail leading higher and higher in the Republican Party, and eventually into the White House itself.
The film screening will be followed by a short discussion with Carl Bernstein (TBC), Jason Boxt and Bob Moran for an insiders’ view of American politics and election campaigns. Please note that a special Festival discount will apply if tickets are bought for both this film screening £10.00/£7.00 and the panel Who Will Win America?
Sunday 16 August
Workers’ Rights in the 21st Century – do we need them? 11:00-12:30 £6.00/£4.00
The UK miners’ strike was over 30 years ago and unions are in decline across the world. Although they have been synonymous with industrialization for more than a hundred years, detractors believe unions are outmoded institutions whose role has been pre-empted in the 21st century by labour laws, better human resource management and an increasingly educated and mobile workforce. Yet many believe we still need a fairness and voice in the workplace. Join Chair Deputy Presiding Officer, Elaine Smith MSP as she discusses these issues with Ann Henderson, Assistant Secretary, STUC; Professor Mike Gonzalez, formerly head of Latin American studies at University of Glasgow and member of Solidarity – Scotland’s Socialist Movement; and Colin Borland, Federation of Small Businesses.
A screening of the film Made in Dagenham will be shown in the Members’ Room this evening to coincide with this panel, after which there will be a short panel discussion with Ann Henderson, Assistant Secretary STUC; and Siobhan Synot, Scotsman film reviewer (TBC). Please note that a special Festival discount will apply if tickets are bought for both this panel and the film screening £10.00/£7.00.
Well fed? - How our food choices impact on our health and planet 11:30-13:00 £6.00/£4.00
In a world where we are bombarded with often conflicting messages about our diets, is this new information actually making us healthier? Can we cut through the media hype and make wise choices about the food we eat? Join Chair Dr Alan Rowe, Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen and our panellists to talk about the impact our consumption habits have on our own health but also that of the planet. Cate Devine, food and feature writer with The Herald; Dr Jennie Macdiarmid, researcher on diet and environmental impact at University of Aberdeen (TBC); and Patricia Stephen, Director of Earthy, Edinburgh and organic vegetable grower.
Please note that a special Festival discount will apply if tickets are bought for both this panel and the panel What is the Impact on rising food prices? £10.00/£7.00
How South America has influenced North America 13:00-14.30 £6.00/£4.00
The Hispanic population in the USA surpassed 50 million at the start of 2011. As a group who have traditionally under-participated at the polling booth, the number of eligible voters has doubled in the last 15 years and over one million young Hispanics turn 18 this year, which means potentially one million new voters ready to flex their political muscle. So what is the influence of this critical mass upon America? Join our panel to discuss the impact of South America upon everything from politics, culture, technology and business in America. Join Chair Dr Mervyn Bain, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations in Latin America, University of Aberdeen and panellists Oscar Guardiola-Rivera, author of What if Latin America Ruled the World?: How the South Will Take the North into the 22nd Century; and Professor Mike Gonzalez, former Head of Latin American studies at University of Glasgow.
What is the impact of rising food prices? 15:30-17:00 £6.00/£4.00
Britain imports around 40 % of the food it consumes so is at the mercy of global price rises. No surprise then that food prices have risen by 32% since 2007, double the EU average. Our panel of experts will discuss whether it is this price rise that has led to the new phenomenon of “the malnourished obese”. What is the link between cheap food and poor health and should we actually be paying more for food for our own good? Join Chair Deputy Presiding Officer, John Scott MSP with panellists Cate Devine, food and feature writer with The Herald; Dr Alan Rowe, Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen; Dr Flora Douglas, Researcher on inequalities and impact on food poverty at University of Aberdeen.
Please note that a special Festival discount will apply if tickets are bought for both this panel and the panel Well fed? £10.00/£7.00.
China as a Global Super Power 16:30-18:00 £6.00/£4.00
According to Deutsche Bank experts, China could account for a larger share of global GDP than any other country in the next 5 years and knock America off its perch as the world’s biggest economy. What is the basis of this prediction and how will China and America respond? Will China want to be the new super power with all the responsibilities that brings and how will America react? Join our Chair TBC with panellists Professor Leslie Young, Professor of Economics, The Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, Beijing (Hunter Foundation research); Jeremy Peat, Economist and Former Head of David Hume Institute; Robert Moran, US pollster and political strategist; and Peter Budd, Vice Chairman of China-Britain Business Council and Director of Ove Arup & Partners Ltd and Chairman of Arup Scotland.
Made In Dagenham 18:00-20.30 Members’ Room £6.00/£4.00
In 1968, the Ford auto factory in Dagenham was one of the largest single private employers in the UK. In addition to the thousands of male employees, there are also 187 underpaid women machinists who primarily assemble the car seat upholstery in poor working conditions. Dissatisfied, the women, represented by the shop steward and Rita O'Grady, work with union rep Albert Passingham for a better deal. However, Rita learns that there is a larger issue in this dispute considering that women are paid an appalling fraction of the men's wages for the same work across the board on the sole basis of their sex. Refusing to tolerate this inequality any longer, O'Grady leads a strike by her fellow machinists for equal pay for equal work. What follows would test the patience of all involved in a grinding labour and political struggle that ultimately would advance the cause of women's rights around the world.
Following this screening a short panel discussion will take place with Ann Henderson, Assistant Secretary STUC; and Siobhan Synot, Scotsman film reviewer (TBC). Please note that a special Festival discount will apply if tickets are bought for both this film screening £10.00/£7.00 and the panel Workers’ Rights in the 21st Century.