BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Living Freedom - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Living Freedom
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://livingfreedom.org.uk
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Living Freedom
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Europe/London
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20180325T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20181028T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20190331T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20191027T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20200329T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20201025T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20210328T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20211031T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20220327T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20221030T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20230326T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20231029T010000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
TZNAME:BST
DTSTART:20240331T010000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20241027T010000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:UTC
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:UTC
DTSTART:20220101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20230809T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230809T210000
DTSTAMP:20260409T211315
CREATED:20230714T153359Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230801T151214Z
UID:574-1691607600-1691614800@livingfreedom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Free speech on campus: winning young hearts and minds
DESCRIPTION:This event is free but please book a place in advance via Eventbrite. \nThe new Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act passed in May puts more responsibility on universities to ensure students are able to speak freely in and out of the classroom. But since then\, the refusal to show the film Birthgap in Cambridge University and attempts to cancel Kathleen Stock at the Oxford Union suggests that much remains to be done to develop a new culture of free and open debate at universities. \nMany students – and even academics – report they self-censor and fear ostracisation for speaking out. Student societies often encounter problems when wanting to discuss ‘controversial’ topics or invite diverse speakers. Given the new duty of free speech\, how can students use this to their advantage? Can students who support academic freedom be encouraged to champion free speech on campus? Given the apparent sensitivity to discomfort among young people\, how can we win students themselves to the cause of critical inquiry\, free expression\, and open debate? \nSPEAKERS\nJack Barwell student; founder\, Speak Easy\, University of Exeter\nFelice Basbøll project assistant\, Ideas Matter\, history student\, Trinity College Dublin.\nStani Huepfl politics and international relations student\, London School of Economics\nOmar Loubak Mohamed student; founder\, Speak Easy\, Royal Holloway\, University of London \nCHAIR\nAlastair Donald convenor\, Living Freedom \nBACKGROUND READING\nNow woke universities are ditching boozy Freshers Weeks because they are not ‘inviting and inclusive’ enough!\,\nDawn Thompson\, MailOnline\, 30 July 2023 \nThe Oxford kids are alright\nKathleen Stock\, UnHerd\, 1 June 2023 \nFreedom of Speech Act: How it will affect university students\nThe Education Hub\, 30 May 2023
URL:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/event/free-speech-on-campus-winning-young-hearts-and-minds
LOCATION:Ideas Matter Club\, 5-8 The Sanctuary\, London\, England\, SW1P 3JS\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Freedom Forum
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/London-Freedom-Forum-3.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20230712T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230712T203000
DTSTAMP:20260409T211315
CREATED:20230628T134629Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230707T142613Z
UID:538-1689188400-1689193800@livingfreedom.org.uk
SUMMARY:The information wars: who verifies the verifiers?
DESCRIPTION:The recently launched BBC Verify promises to combat the proliferation of fake news and deep-faked images and videos online. We live in the age of the fact-checkers: groups and individuals who take on the responsibility of determining what is true\, what is false\, and what is fake online. With all of the dis-\, mis- and even mal-information\, there are indeed serious challenges to the ideal of a democratised public sphere. But who determines what’s true and false? \nThe Twitter Files revealed how ideology can influence the ‘objective’ verification process and how unaccountable bodies become gate keepers of truth. With shadow banning\, algorithmic manipulation and suppression of sheer opinion\, is the media accountable? Can verification ever be non-partisan? \nThis salon discussion tackles the growing role of fact-checking in the media\, and the implications for freedom of speech\, truth and journalism. Are initiatives like BBC Verify a welcome extension of the watchdog role of journalism\, or do they do more harm than good? Who fact-checks the fact-checkers? \nSPEAKERS\nPoppy Coburn freelance commentator and journalist\nSam Rubinstein history student and writer\nMax Sanderson editor of weekly podcasts\, Guardian \nCHAIR\nFelice Basbøll project assistant\, Ideas Matter \nREGISTER\nThis event is free\, but places are limited\, so please book via Eventbrite. \nBACKGROUND\nExplaining the ‘how’ – the launch of BBC Verify\nDeborah Turness\, 22 May\, BBC News \n‘Fundamentally dangerous’: reversal of social media guardrails could prove disastrous for 2024 elections\nKari Paul\, 10 Jun\, Guardian \nThe BBC isn’t exposing disinformation. It’s peddling it\nJonathan Cook\, 2 Jun\, Middle East Eye \nThe tyranny of ‘misinformation’\nTim Black\, 26 Oct 2020\, Spiked \nWhat Were the Twitter Files\nBranko Marcetic\, 26 Apr\, The Nation \nGary Lineker: free speech\, political debate and impartiality\nAlastair Donald\, Claire Fox\, Ella Whelan and Rob Lyons\, 13 May\, Podcast of Ideas
URL:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/event/who-verifies-the-verifiers
LOCATION:Ideas Matter Club\, London\, England\, SW1P\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Freedom Forum
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/information-wars-freedom-forum.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230629T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230701T170000
DTSTAMP:20260409T211315
CREATED:20230320T153134Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230325T065917Z
UID:122-1688061600-1688230800@livingfreedom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Living Freedom Summer School 2023
DESCRIPTION:  \nOur three-day residential school is open to anyone aged 18 to 30 regardless of whether you are based in the UK or beyond. \nAttend to hear talks from experts on the history and philosophy of freedom\, helping us to understand freedom of conscience and free will in the 21st century. With Progress now seen as dangerous\, we’ll debate the implications for freedom\, and explore innovations such as generative technologies and ChatGPT. There will plenty of opportunities to explore complex moral issues such as the case for reparations and the morality of borders\, to revisit classic texts and debate contemporary hot topics from sensitivity readers to the hecklers veto. \nIf you would like to find out more about the Summer School\, and find out how to apply\, you can find all the details on the Summer School page.
URL:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/event/living-freedom-summer-school-2023
LOCATION:London\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Summer School
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LFSS23-graphic-smaller.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20230503T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230503T190000
DTSTAMP:20260409T211315
CREATED:20230321T135047Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230418T121024Z
UID:185-1683140400-1683140400@livingfreedom.org.uk
SUMMARY:What can we learn from...? Oriel College\, Oxford\, May 2023
DESCRIPTION:WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM…? John Milton/Liberty and John Locke/Toleration \nSpeakers: Andrew Doyle and Dr Tiffany Jenkins \nThe rise of cancel culture has made many nervous about free expression and open debate\, even though academic freedom is a core value – and legal duty of universities. Many students – and even academics – report they self-censor; student societies often encounter problems in terms of inviting diverse speakers. \nHowever\, if universities are to fulfil their purpose as spaces in which to freely explore ideas and develop knowledge\, then nothing should be beyond question or outwith the scope of debate. Today\, while values of tolerance and liberty are rhetorically espoused\, increasingly it is often argued that free expression has its limits. \nOne way to understand better the predicaments around freedom today is to turn to important figures of the past and to explore their thinking and how it might help us now. ‘What can we learn from…?’ events take as a starting point important thinkers and cultural figures from history. After short\, accessible talks\, there will be plenty of time for questions and discussion. \nREGISTER \nPlease enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *Submit  \nEVENT\nWednesday 3 May\, 7.00pm-9.00pm \nHistorically liberty and toleration have been staples of liberal society. Join us to explore the historic roots and contemporary realities of these important ideals. \n1: Milton and Liberty\nAndrew Doyle\, broadcaster; author\, The New Puritans\n‘Give me liberty to know\, to utter\, and to argue freely according to conscience’\, declared the poet John Milton in Areopagitica. Often associated with seventeenth-century non-conformist Puritans\, Milton rejected licensing of printed texts and rebuffed the notion that prohibitions\, bans or force could create virtuous men. Today\, amidst the rise of a new puritanism\, being offensive can be deemed a crime\, demands for ‘social justice’ brook no dissent and uttering uncomfortable truths can lead to public shaming. From the ages of the Puritans\, old and new\, what can we learn about the case for freedom of belief and expression? \n2: John Locke and Toleration\nDr Tiffany Jenkins\, writer and broadcaster\nIt was only in the seventeenth century that Western society started to seriously consider the philosophical foundations of toleration of competing religions and beliefs. Today\, values of tolerance and respect are regularly upheld. But some argue that tolerating free expression has its limits and society should not be placed at risk of intolerant ideas or even overly judgemental views. Should we tolerate free expression\, or retain a right to be intolerant of intolerance? \nVENUE \nOriel College\nHarris Lecture Theatre\nOriel Square\, Oxford\, OX1 4EW\nSee Google Maps for location. \nSPEAKERS \nANDREW DOYLE\npresenter\, Free Speech Nation\, GB News; author\, The New Puritans: how the religion of social justice captured the Western world\nAndrew Doyle is a writer\, comedian\, and a presenter on GB News. He is the author of Free Speech and Why It Matters (2021) and The New Puritans: how the religion of social justice captured the Western world (2022). He is the creator of the satirical character Titania McGrath\, who has published two books – Woke: a guide to social justice (2019) and My First Little Book of Intersectional Activism (2020). He began presenting his show Free Speech Nation on GB News in June 2021. Before then he was a columnist for spiked\, a panellist on the BBC’s Moral Maze and regularly reviewed the papers on Sky News. \nDR TIFFANY JENKINS\nwriter and broadcaster; author\, Strangers and Intimates: the rise and fall of private life\nTiffany Jenkins is a writer\, author and broadcaster. Her last book\, Keeping Their Marbles: How Treasures of the Past Ended Up in Museums and Why They Should Stay There\, was published in 2016 to critical acclaim. Her next book\, Strangers and Intimates: the rise and fall of private life\, will be published in 2023 by Picador. Tiffany is an honorary fellow Art History at the University of Edinburgh\, and is host of the podcast Behind the Scenes at the Museum\, in which she talks to key figures about the big ideas rocking the cultural world\, charting the trends and dissecting the controversies. She has written and presented several programmes for BBC Radio 4\, including the series A Narrative History of Secrecy. \nCONVENORS \nALASTAIR DONALD\, convenor\, Living Freedom\nDR MARIE KAWTHAR DAOUDA\, Oriel College\, University of Oxford\nDR ROGER P L TEICHMANN\, St Hilda’s College\nDR ALBERTO GIUBILINI\, Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics
URL:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/event/what-can-we-learn-from-oriel-college-oxford-may-2023
LOCATION:Harris Lecture Theatre\, Oriel College\, Oriel Square\, Oxford\, OX1 4EW\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:University Salon
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Oxford-twitter-3-May-blue-v2-1-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20230502T200000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230502T220000
DTSTAMP:20260409T211315
CREATED:20230418T132131Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230418T135945Z
UID:445-1683057600-1683064800@livingfreedom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Locke and Liberty: why toleration still matters today
DESCRIPTION:Living Freedom university primer at Radley College. \nThe rise of cancel culture has made many nervous about free expression and open debate\, even though academic freedom is a core value – and legal duty – of universities. Many students – and even academics – report they self-censor; student societies often encounter problems in terms of inviting diverse speakers. \n  \nHowever\, if universities are to fulfil their purpose as spaces in which to freely explore ideas and develop knowledge\, then nothing should be beyond question or beyond the scope of debate. For students who want to take discussion and debate seriously and make the most of university life\, tolerating different views will be essential.   \n  \nBut what does toleration mean? Today\, while values of tolerance and respect are rhetorically espoused\, increasingly it is argued that tolerating free expression has its limits and society should not be placed at risk of intolerant ideas or even overly judgemental views. Should we tolerate free expression\, or retain a right to be intolerant of intolerance? \nIn this special university primer event\, Tiffany Jenkins will look at the emergence of the important ideal of toleration and explore why it remains important today.  After a short\, accessible talk\, there will be plenty of time for questions and discussion.  \n  \nSPEAKER\nDR TIFFANY JENKINS\, writer and broadcaster; author\, Strangers and Intimates: the rise and fall of private life\nTiffany Jenkins is a writer\, author and broadcaster. Her last book\, Keeping Their Marbles: How Treasures of the Past Ended Up in Museums and Why They Should Stay There\, was published in 2016 to critical acclaim. Her next book\, Strangers and Intimates: the rise and fall of private life\, will be published in 2023 by Picador. Tiffany is an honorary fellow in Art History at the University of Edinburgh\, and is host of the podcast Behind the Scenes at the Museum\, in which she talks to key figures about the big ideas rocking the cultural world\, charting the trends and dissecting the controversies. She has written and presented several programmes for BBC Radio 4\, including the series A Narrative History of Secrecy. \n  \nMODERATOR\nALASTAIR DONALD\, convenor\, Living Freedom  \nAlastair Donald is convenor of Living Freedom\, the initiative organised by educational charity Ideas Matter to encourage young adults to explore the meaning and ideals of freedom. He is also associate director at Academy of Ideas and co-convenor of Battle of Ideas festival. \n  \nANY QUESTIONS?\nFor more information\, contact Alastair Donald: info@livingfreedom.org.uk
URL:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/event/locke-and-liberty-why-toleration-still-matters-today
LOCATION:Science Lecture Theatre\, Radley College\, Abingdon\, Oxfordshire\, OX14 2HR
CATEGORIES:University Primer
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/locke-radley-may-2023.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20230426T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230426T203000
DTSTAMP:20260409T211315
CREATED:20230411T152333Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230421T101546Z
UID:424-1682535600-1682541000@livingfreedom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Why debating matters in an era of cancel culture
DESCRIPTION:This event is free\, but please register using the form below. \nThe rise of cancel culture has made many nervous about free expression and open debate. Even though academic freedom is a core value – and a legal duty – of universities\, many students – and even academics – report they self-censor; student societies often encounter problems in terms of inviting diverse speakers. \nIn one such example of the constraints on debate and free speech on campus\, last year\, Academy of Ideas director\, Claire Fox was invited to speak at Royal Holloway’s Debating Society. Yet an invite to talk about the importance of debate was then turned into a bureaucratic nightmare – with risk assessments\, safeguarding checks and other onerous procedures enforced by the students’ union. Eventually\, the students’ union successfully put the Society under pressure to cancel the event – ostensibly because Claire retweeted a clip of Ricky Gervais satirising the gender wars. \nIn this special Living Freedom University Salon at University of Cambridge\, Claire will give the talk on ‘why debating matters’ that was intended for Royal Holloway students. This is followed by a conversation with Omar Loubak\, a student and former organiser of the debating society at Royal Holloway. \nSPEAKERS\n\nClaire Fox\ndirector\, Academy of Ideas; independent peer\, House of Lords; author\, I STILL Find That Offensive! \nOmar Loubak\nDebating Society\, Royal Holloway University of London \nCHAIR\nJames Orr\nassociate professor of Philosophy of Religion\, University of Cambridge \nVENUE\nNewton Room\, The Pitt Building\, Trumpington Street\, Cambridge\, CB2 1RP\nREGISTER\nPlease enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *Submit
URL:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/event/why-debating-matters-in-an-era-of-cancel-culture-cambridge
LOCATION:Cambridge University – The Pitt Building\, Trumpington St\,\, Cambridge\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:University Salon
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CAMBRIDGE-LF-April-26-version1-copy-2-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230417T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230417T203000
DTSTAMP:20260409T211315
CREATED:20230321T132110Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230403T133112Z
UID:172-1681758000-1681763400@livingfreedom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Chat GPT and Artificial Intelligence: implications for freedom
DESCRIPTION:London Freedom Forum \nGenerative AI like ChatGPT and Midjourney have captured the public imagination and barely a day now passes without claim and counter-claim as to benefits or threats posed by artificial intelligence. On the one side stand those who see in these new technologies as a means to liberate humanity through a new\, potentially boundless source of human creativity. Do we stand on the cusp of transforming education\, healthcare\, manufacturing\, artistic endeavours and more? On the other\, stand those who see AI as degrading science\, debasing ethics and denuding humans of agency. To what extent are we faced with a potential threat in the search for truth\, not to mention the risk of manipulation and censorship that place freedom of speech and other freedoms in peril? \nGiven all the hype\, what actually is generative technology? Given the potential risks and multiple claims on behalf of Chat GPT and generative technology\, is this technology overhyped or undervalued? Is creeping automation about to make workers obsolete? For example\, should journalists fear being replaced by machines now that some newspapers use AI to write articles? And what of the wider implications of this technology? Are we realising the potential for liberation\, or a threat to liberty? \nSPEAKER\nSandy Starr\, deputy director of the Progress Educational Trust \nRESPONDENTS\nTom Collyer\, researcher\, Ideas Matter\nElla Nixon\, art historian \nCHAIR\nJacob Reynolds\, convenor\, The Academy \nREGISTER \nThe event is free but registration is required. Please complete the form below. \nPlease enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastEmail *Submit
URL:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/event/chat-gpt-and-artificial-intelligence-implications-for-freedom
LOCATION:Ideas Matter Club\, 5-8 The Sanctuary\, London\, England\, SW1P 3JS\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Freedom Forum
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/LONDON-LF-April-17-FINAL2-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20230316T191500
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20230316T201500
DTSTAMP:20260409T211315
CREATED:20230313T113725Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230322T180810Z
UID:100-1678994100-1678997700@livingfreedom.org.uk
SUMMARY:What can we learn from...? Cambridge\, March 2023
DESCRIPTION:INTRODUCTION \n‘What can we learn from…?’ events take as a starting point important thinkers and cultural figures from the past. They offer an opportunity to understand the emergence of key ideals related to freedom and to explore and debate if and how they remain important in the present. \n\nThis event is supported by Free Speech Champions\n\nEach salon starts with short\, accessible talks from thought-provoking experts and critics who will offer insights into key thinkers in history. Talks are followed by plenty of time for discussion\, with the chance to ask questions and put forward points. Together we will interrogate why these thinkers and the ideas they promoted can offer valuable insights that help us understand freedom then and now. \nREGISTER \n\n\nEVENT\n\n\nThursday 16 March\, 7.15pm-9.15pm \nHistorically freedom of conscience has been a staple of liberal society. Join us to explore the historic roots and contemporary realities of this important ideal. \n1: Roger Williams: Freedom’s Prophet\nDr James Orr\, assistant professor of philosophy of religion\, University of Cambridge\nAmidst the heady religious ferment of the seventeenth century in North America\, Roger Williams – a minister\, theologian\, and alumnus of Pembroke College\, Cambridge – soon emerged as a central figure in the brewing conflicts over freedom of religion and freedom of conscience. Expelled by Puritan leaders from the Massachusetts Bay Colony\, Williams founded the Colony of Rhode Island with the express purpose of providing a space for the free expression of contested religious and political perspectives. A fierce and early critic of chattel slavery and the callous treatment of Native Americans\, Williams sowed the seeds for the idea that the freedom to criticise authorities and majorities is an indispensable enabling condition for civic flourishing. A reappraisal of his legacy and work offers us an opportunity to assess and contest the many and various fetters on free expression that have emerged across our institutional landscape today. \n2: Richard Wagner: Can we separate art from the artist?\nDavid Cotter\, academic\, musician and writer\nThe work of Richard Wagner is captivating\, but also challenging and unsettling. He believed art could be a unifying force for society. But like his operatic characters\, Wagner often rejected social norms and his notoriously anti-Semitic views have promoted some critics and institutions to argue his music should no longer be played. Today\, from writer JK Rowling to the recent award-winning film Tár\, the beliefs\, moral character or personality traits of artists are regularly asserted as key to judging the value of their work. But whatever an artists’ controversial or deeply unpleasant views\, should we be more willing to focus on the work itself? Or can we never really separate art from the artist? \nVENUE \nSidney Sussex College\nKnox-Shaw Room\nSidney St\, Cambridge CB2 3HU\nSee Google Maps for location. \nSPEAKERS \nDR JAMES ORR\nassistant professor of philosophy of religion\, University of Cambridge\nJames Orr is assistant professor of philosophy of religion at the University of Cambridge. He is Chairman of the Edmund Burke Foundation UK\, a trustee of the St Paul’s Theological Centre and the Roger Scruton Legacy Foundation and a member of the Advisory Councils of the New Social Covenant Unit\, the Free Speech Union\, History Reclaimed\, and Briefings for Britain. \nDAVID COTTER\nacademic\, musician and writer\nDavid Cotter is an academic and musician who has performed and spoken in 22 countries around the world. David’s recent publications include ‘The Creative Musical Mediation of Order and Chaos’ in Jordan Peterson: Critical Responses and ‘The Guitar Reimagined’ (co-authored with Marc Estibeiro) in Rethinking the Musical Instrument. David has also written for The Critic. He is currently completing his doctorate on co-performer collaboration in musical performance. \nCONVENORS \nALASTAIR DONALD\, convenor\, Living Freedom\nDAVID COTTER\, academic\, musician and writer\nCHARLIE BENTLEY-ASTOR\, English undergraduate\, freelance writer
URL:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/event/what-can-we-learn-from-cambridge-march-2023
LOCATION:Knox-Shaw Room\, Sidney Sussex College\, Sidney Street\, Cambridge\, CB2 3HU\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:University Salon
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Cambridge-16-March-prophet-and-artist-768x384-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20221215T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20221215T220000
DTSTAMP:20260409T211315
CREATED:20230322T121856Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231121T130440Z
UID:304-1671130800-1671141600@livingfreedom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Living Freedom Xmas Bash Balloon Debate
DESCRIPTION:On behalf of Living Freedom and Free Speech Champions\, we would like to invite you to join us for a drink\, some good company and a fun Xmas balloon debate. \nThis invitation only gathering will take place at the fabulous new Westminster home of UnHerd. Join us for drinks at the pay bar from 7pm. \nWhat: Living Freedom Xmas Balloon Debate\nWhen: Thursday 15 December 2022\, 7:00pm\nWhere: UnHerd\, 6 Old Queen Street\, Westminster\, London\,SW1H 9HP\nEntry strictly by RSVP: alastair@ideasmatter.org.uk \nWhat is the greatest representation of freedom in culture? \nA panel of six valiant freedom lovers will seek to convince you of their choice\, selected from cultural worlds\, whether art or the classics\, comedy or film\, literature or music. \nEach contestant will have just three minutes to present their case\, followed by a round of questions from the audience. Then there is a vote\, and the top three will be given an additional one minute to convince you to back their choice. \nWhich cultural representation of freedom – and its defender – deserves to stay in the balloon? You decide! \nOur brilliant panel comprises: \n\nCharlie Bentley-Astor freelance writer; theatre director; English undergraduate. Charlie is defending the Supermarine Spitfire.\nNick Dixon comedian; presenter\, GB News; host\, The Weekly Sceptic; co-host\, The Podcast of the Lotus Eaters. Nick is defending Brass Eye.\nRalph Leonard writer and commentator; contributor\, Areo\, author\, Letter on Liberty: Unshackling Intimacy. Ralph is defending Vasily Grossman’s Life and Fate.\nRob Lownie editorial trainee\, UnHerd; founding member\, Free Speech Champions; contributor\, Free Speech: defending the fundamental liberal value. Rob is defending Team America: World Police.\nDr Maren Thom lecturer; writer; acting and vocal trainer; contributor\, The Conformist Rebellion. Maren is defending Stanley Kubrick’s Spartacus\nEmma Webb director\, Common Sense Society\, UK branch; host\, Newspeak; commentator; writer; co-founder\, Save Our Statues. Emma is defending the cross\n\nHost: Alastair Donald convenor\, Living Freedom \nEntry is free\, but space is limited. So get your invitation now by replying to this email or emailing Alastair: alastair@ideasmatter.org.uk
URL:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/event/living-freedom-xmas-bash-balloon-debate
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/xmas-balloon-debate-for-event-page-768x384-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20221129T191500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20221129T211500
DTSTAMP:20260409T211315
CREATED:20230322T115021Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230322T180810Z
UID:294-1669749300-1669756500@livingfreedom.org.uk
SUMMARY:What can we learn from…? Cambridge\, 29 November 2023
DESCRIPTION: ‘What can we learn from…?’ events take as a starting point important thinkers and cultural figures from the past. They offer an opportunity to understand the emergence of key ideals related to freedom and to explore and debate if and how they remain important in the present. \n \nThis event is supported by Free Speech Champions \nEach salon starts with short\, accessible talks from thought-provoking experts and critics who will offer insights into key thinkers in history. Talks are followed by plenty of time for discussion\, with the chance to ask questions and put forward points. Together we will interrogate why these thinkers and the ideas they promoted can offer valuable insights that help us understand freedom then and now. \nTuesday 29 November\, 7.15pm-9.15pm \nTALKS \nShort\, accessible talks from experts and critics will offer insights into Hannah Arendt and CLR James. \n1: Hannah Arendt and Totalitarianism – Jacob Reynolds\, convenor\, Hannah Arendt Study Group\nWhether prompted by concerns over draconian lockdowns\, new authoritarian political leaders\, policing of speech or outlawing demonstrations\, there’s been a revival of interest in Hannah Arendt’s The Origins of Totalitarianism. From views on the destruction of individuality to the desire for safety\, Arendt was never shy of challenging orthodoxies and addressing profound moral questions. What can Arendt tell us about the problems with freedom today? \n3: CLR James and Universalism – Ralph Leonard\, writer\nAs a Marxist revolutionary and Pan-Africanist\, critic of European colonialism and respecter of Western civilisation\, classicist and lover of popular culture\, CLR James specialised in confounding expectations. Today\, when praise for ‘Western culture’ is often dismissed as ‘Eurocentrism’ and identity silos trump a sense of our shared humanity\, is a universalist outlook and an emphasis on what we have in common worth defending? What can we learn from a man once labelled ’the black Plato’? \nVENUE \nGonville and Caius College\nTrinity St\, Cambridge CB2 1TA\nSee Google Maps for location.\nLectures: Long Room\nSeminars: Long Room\, Senior Parlour Room \nSPEAKERS  \nJACOB REYNOLDS\nconvenor\, The Academy; external affairs manager\, boi charity\nJacob is partnerships manager at the Academy of Ideas. He read the BPhil in philosophy at St Cross College\, Oxford\, developing an interest in political and continental philosophy\, especially the work of Hannah Arendt. Before that\, Jacob read politics and philosophy at the University of Sheffield and co-ran the Sheffield Salon\, modelled on the salons of Enlightenment Europe. He spends his spare time drinking coffee\, writing and arguing about philosophy. \nRALPH LEONARD\nwriter; author\, Letter on Liberty:  Unshackling Intimacy contributor\, Areo Magazine\nRalph is a British-Nigerian writer and commentator on international politics\, culture and sex. He is the author of the Letters on Liberty pamphlet Unshackling Intimacy\, writes for UnHerd\, Areo and the Telegraph\, and is a regular guest on the Zer0 Books podcast. He also writes on religion\, human rights and international affairs. As an ardent secularist and leftist\, Ralph believes it is crucial to uphold the legacy of the Enlightenment\, and the project for the universal emancipation of humanity.
URL:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/event/what-can-we-learn-from-cambridge-29-november-2023
LOCATION:Gonville and Caius College\, Trinity Street\, Cambridge\, CB2 1TA\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:University Salon
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/cambridge-29-november-2022.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20221101T191500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20221101T211500
DTSTAMP:20260409T211315
CREATED:20230322T111957Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230322T180810Z
UID:288-1667330100-1667337300@livingfreedom.org.uk
SUMMARY:What can we learn from…? Cambridge\, 1 November 2023
DESCRIPTION: ‘What can we learn from…?’ events take as a starting point important thinkers and cultural figures from the past. They offer an opportunity to understand the emergence of key ideals related to freedom and to explore and debate if and how they remain important in the present. \n \nThis event is supported by Free Speech Champions \nEach salon starts with short\, accessible talks from thought-provoking experts and critics who will offer insights into key thinkers in history. Talks are followed by plenty of time for discussion\, with the chance to ask questions and put forward points. Together we will interrogate why these thinkers and the ideas they promoted can offer valuable insights that help us understand freedom then and now. \nTuesday 1 November\, 7.15pm-9.15pm \nTALKS \nShort\, accessible talks from experts and critics will offer insights into key John Locke and John Milton  \n1: John Locke and Toleration – Piers Benn\, philosopher\, author and lecturer\nIt was only in the 17th century that society started to tolerate competing religions and beliefs. Today\, values of tolerance and respect are regularly upheld. But some argue that tolerating free expression has its limits and society should not be placed at risk of intolerant ideas or even overly judgemental views. Should we tolerate free expression\, or retain a right to be intolerant of intolerance? \n \n2: Milton and Liberty – Andrew Doyle\, author\, The New Puritans\n“Give me liberty to know\, to utter\, and to argue freely according to conscience”\, declared the poet John Milton in Areopagitica. Often associated with 17th-century non-conformist Puritans\, Milton rejected licensing of printed texts and rebuffed the notion that prohibitions\, bans or force could create virtuous men. Today\, amidst the rise of a new puritanism\, being offensive can be deemed an offence\, demands for ‘social justice’ brook no dissent while uttering uncomfortable truths can lead to public shaming. From the ages of the Puritans\, old and new\, what can we learn about the case for freedom of belief and expression? \n \nVENUE \nGonville and Caius College\nTrinity St\, Cambridge CB2 1TA\nSee Google Maps for location.\nLectures: Long Room\nSeminars: Long Room\, Senior Parlour Room \nSPEAKERS  \nANDREW DOYLE\npresenter\, Free Speech Nation\, GB News; author\, The New Puritans: how the religion of social justice captured the Western world\nAndrew Doyle is a writer\, comedian\, and a presenter on GB News. He is the author of Free Speech and Why It Matters (2021) and The New Puritans: how the religion of social justice captured the Western world (2022). He is the creator of the satirical character Titania McGrath\, who has published two books – Woke: a guide to social justice (2019) and My First Little Book of Intersectional Activism (2020).  He began presenting his show Free Speech Nation on GB News in June 2021. Before then he was a columnist for spiked\, a panellist on the BBC’s Moral Maze and regularly reviewed the papers on Sky News. \nDR PIERS BENN\nphilosopher and lecturer; author\, Intellectual Freedom and the Culture Wars\nPiers teaches philosophical ethics at Fordham University London Centre and his latest book is Intellectual Freedom and the Culture Wars.  His interests include ethics\, philosophy of religion and philosophy of psychiatry and he has taught at numerous universities including St Andrews\, Imperial College London and King’s College London. During the 1990s\, he organised seminars for students in Poland and the Czech Republic\, in collaboration with host institutions struggling to rebuild education after the communist period. He is a regular media commentator.
URL:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/event/what-can-we-learn-from-cambridge-1-november-2023
LOCATION:Gonville and Caius College\, Trinity Street\, Cambridge\, CB2 1TA\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:University Salon
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/cambridge-1-november-2022.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20200319T194500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20200319T214500
DTSTAMP:20260409T211315
CREATED:20230329T135705Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230329T135705Z
UID:379-1584647100-1584654300@livingfreedom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Freedom Forum Theatre Club: 'Sticks and Stones'\, Tristan Bates Theatre\, London
DESCRIPTION:We’ll meet at the Tristan Bates Theatre to see the new play ‘Sticks and Stones’ which explores some thorny questions related to identity politics\, class and freedom of speech. \nAfter the play\, we’ll be going to a nearby bar for a drink with playwright Dameon Garnett who will be available to chat about Stick and Stones and the issues it raises around freedom – including why The Actors Centre cancelled the planned post-performance in-conversation at the theatre that was to explore the issues around freedom raised by the play. \nAnyone coming to this meetup can take advantage of the Living Freedom group booking tickets at a reduced price of £5 (full price is £15). These must be booked through Paypal below. \n‘STICKS AND STONES’ (2020)\nsee https://www.actorscentre.co.uk/theatre/sticks-and-stones \n‘Under the law you are guilty\, I would say\, of a hate crime’. \nAfua\, a black senior manager in a secondary school\, is asked to investigate online comments by a white colleague\, Tina; a woman she thought was a friend. Do Tina’s comments constitute hate speech\, and\, if so\, should the police get involved? Afua has always fought for women’s rights\, and Tina is a wronged woman\, but with an axe to grind that even Afua is not prepared for. \nIn an intensely claustrophobic setting\, the clash between the two women becomes increasingly explosive; opening up questions around speech\, power\, race and class\, that perhaps modern Britain is not ready to answer. \n‘You can’t deny Garnett’s bruising energy’; Michael Billington\, The Guardian
URL:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/event/freedom-forum-theatre-club-sticks-and-stones-tristan-bates-theatre-london
CATEGORIES:Freedom Forum
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MeetUp-Graphic-march23-copy.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20200303T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20200303T210000
DTSTAMP:20260409T211315
CREATED:20230329T135132Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230329T135402Z
UID:376-1583262000-1583269200@livingfreedom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Freedom Forum Film Club: 'The Witch'
DESCRIPTION:‘The Witch’ is the Sundance prize-winning film from Robert Eggers who has just released ‘The Lighthouse’. Ahead of Living Freedom School 2020\, this is an opportunity to chat about some themes that we’ll get to grips with at the school including demonology\, heresy and moral panics. \nSet in early 17th century\, Robert Eggers’s Sundance prize-winning feature debut ‘The Witch: A New-England Folktale’ tells the story of a puritanical English family’s torment as they’re exiled to the wilderness from their New World community. This is the age when anxieties about witchcraft and anti-witch hysteria were gathering momentum. While the film is heavy on period detail\, reviewers have said it also speaks to important issues our times. What does this 21st century take on the figure of the witch tell us about then and now? \nAfter the film\, there will be a short ‘in-conversation’ with Maren Thom\, a researcher in film\, freelance writer and director\, acting workshops. \n£3 entry payable on the door covers popcorn and a glass of wine / beer
URL:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/event/freedom-forum-film-club-the-witch
CATEGORIES:Freedom Forum
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/WitchMeetUp_graphic-mar23-version-copy.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20191204T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20191204T220000
DTSTAMP:20260409T211315
CREATED:20230329T140035Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230329T140135Z
UID:382-1575486000-1575496800@livingfreedom.org.uk
SUMMARY:Freedom Forum Xmas Bash Balloon Debate
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a drink\, good company and a fun Xmas balloon debate. \nWhat is the most important representation of freedom in culture? A panel of six valiant freedom lovers will seek to convince you of their choice\, from art to non-fiction to literature. \nThey each have just three minutes to present their case\, followed by a round of questions from the audience. Then there is a vote\, and the top three will be given an additional one minute to convince you to back their choice. \nWhich cultural representation of freedom – and its defender – deserves to stay in the balloon? You decide! \n\nMadalina Benderschi anthropology undergraduate\, UCL and Living Freedom alumnus; defending ‘The Myth Of Sisyphus’ (1942) by Albert Camus\nManick Govinda independent arts consultant; defending ‘Convergence’ (1952) by Jackson Pollock\nDr Beth Guilding academic\, Goldsmiths\, University of London; defending ‘His Dark Materials’ trilogy (1995-2000) by Philip Pullman\nAtyab Rashid incoming vice president\, King’s College London Liberal Democrat Society; defending ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ (2010) by Kanye West\nDavid Bowden associate fellow\, Academy of Ideas; defending ‘Paradise Lost’ (1667) by John Milton\nJessica Ní Mhainín policy research and advocacy officer\, Index on Censorship; defending ‘Taste of Freedom’\, Futurama (2002) by Matt Groening\n\n£3 entry payable on the door – includes glass of wine / beer
URL:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/event/freedom-forum-xmas-bash-balloon-debate
CATEGORIES:Freedom Forum
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://livingfreedom.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Xmas-balloon-debate-march23-version.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR