Dialogue
A panel discussion on the power of democracy in small nations across the world, focusing on the Arab Spring, with Britain’s foremost female war correspondent, Marie Colvin. editor of Pakistan’s Daily Times, Rashed Rahman, Gazan surgeon Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish, witty Columbian philosopher Oscar Guardiola-Rivera and former UN diplomat Sir Kieran Prendergast.
Join the BBC’s Special Correspondent Allan Little in conversation with former UN Under-Secretary-General Sir Kieran Prendergast, acclaimed novelist and lawyer Petina Gappah, author of Elegy for Easterly, with human rights advocate Mordecai Mahlangu and Assembly Rooms founder William Burdett-Coutts.
Join Gazan surgeon Dr. Izzeldin Abuslaish, and Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu from the Centre for Policy Alternatives (Sri Lanka’s foremost civil rights NGO) as they discuss how to heal or rebuild shattered societies following conflict or civil war. Chaired by Allan Little.
David Starkey and Sir Menzies Campbell debate the Union and whether Scotland really is “a feeble little country”. Lord Steel presides. A debate on the future of Scotland & the Union with acclaimed historian and broadcaster David Starkey and former leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Menzies Campbell. With Alex Salmond and Fiona Hyslop to be confirmed.
Mariella Frostrup talks to Marie Colvin about her life as Britain’s foremost female correspondent and with Petina Gappah about the empowerment of women in Africa.
Mariella Frostrup and human rights lawyer Jason McCue host a drinks reception a drinks reception to celebrate The Gender Rights and Equality Action Trust (The GREAT Initiative).
A debate about how to mediate conflict and balance the desire for justice and the search for peace
William Dalrymple on his forthcoming book The Return of the King: Shah Shuja, the Birth of the Great Game and the West's First Battle for Afghanistan
A lecture and panel discussion on justice and the rule of law, in association with The Faculty of Advocates and The Bar Human Rights Committee
Art and resistance go hand in hand; as Kurdish writer Yasar Kemal has said, “Art is a rebellion. Art warns people against lies, oppression, meaningless never-ending wars and all forms of evil.” The Art of Resistance debate is taking place in association with Assembly at the George Square Theatre ONE on George Square Gardens Edinburgh.
The Middle East and North African regions are going through dramatic changes but what is next for the Arab Spring and what is the potential impact on the wider world? Is the intervention from the West enough, too little or indeed, welcomed? A panel discussion at the Scottish Parliament in association with the Festival of Politics discussing the progress towards democracy for Arabic countries, which for so long have had no democratic voice.