Our debates are intended as more public events, so all are truly welcome. The intention is to bring reasoned debate to security and development related issues of topical interest.  

2011-12 

'Recession, Racism and Riots'

6-8pm, Wednesday March 14, 2012 Fogg Lecture Theatre, QMUL Mile End Campus 

The shooting of unarmed Mark Duggan by the Metropolitan Police and their subsequent conduct towards the affected family and wider community in Tottenham were the flashpoints that sparked the urban unrest across England in August 2011. Join us for a discussion on the links between recession, racism and riots. Questions addressed will include:

- What has been the impact of austerity measures on Black communities in particular?

- What has changed and what has stayed the same with regard to the inner-city disturbances of the early 1980s and those of 2011?

- What positive visions are available to an increasingtly embattled and excluded youth? And how might art serve social juistice?

Invited speakers include:

Stafford Scott (Tottenham Defence Campaign)

Denise Ferreira da Silva (Queen Mary)

Devon Thomas (Brixton '81 Retrospective Group)

Mark Thompson (Cultural Chameleon Press)

A recording of the discussion can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSbWivfd0Cg

'Explaining the Crisis in Syria'

6-8pm, Tuesday February 7, 2012 Bancroft 2.40, QMUL Mile End Campus

The debate will be between:

Chris Phillips (Queen Mary)

Ammar Waqqaf (Syrian Social Club, a group of Syrians arguing for reform within the framework of the existing regime)

Malik Al-Abdeh (Chief Editor, Barada TV - Syrian opposition satellite TV station)

2009-10

'Closing Guantanamo: One Year On - debate and film screening'

1.30 pm, Tuesday February 23, 2010 Lock Keeper's Cottage, QMUL Mile End Campus

This debate saw a number of speakers from different disciplinary backgrounds approaching the issue of 'Obama's Guantanamo' from different thematic and historical angles.  The event coincided with the date that President Obama had set for the closure of the prison camp at Guantanamo.

This event included talks by:

Will Rowlandson (Kent)

Wayne Morrison (Queeen Mary)

Geraldine Lievesley (Manchester Metropolitan Univeisrty)

Simon Reid-Henry (Queen Mary)

Andrew Worthington (Journalist)