The Great Debate
The Great Debate is somewhat associated with the libertarian anti-environmental LM network. Established in 1998, [1] it collaborates with, amongst others, organisations associated with the LM network such as the Battle of Ideas, Debating Matters, Institute of Ideas, the Transport Research Group and WORLDwrite.[2] The Great Debate was a 2008 Battle of Ideas partner.
Previous contributors to events of the organisation have included LM network associates Ian Abley, Daniel Ben-Ami, Andrew Calcutt, Suzy Dean, Ceri Dingle, Frank Furedi, Tony Gilland, John Gillott, Helene Guldberg, James Heartfield, Alex Hochuli, Kenan Malik, Viv Regan, Nathalie Rothschild, James Woudhuysen and a number of other WORLDwrite personnel.[3][4] Of a total of around one hundred and forty speakers listed, around twenty i.e. 15%, are associated with the LM network. The organisation's Director commented "I suppose it is fair to say we are loosely associated with the ex-LM network (Claire Fox is an old friend of mine going back nearly 25 years) and you rightly draw attention to us drawing on that network as a good source of interesting speakers (I was interested to see your figure of 15%!!)."[5]
However, The Great Debate also has a long term association with both the North East Centre for Lifelong Learning and Newcastle University and played a part in establishing RCE North East. The Great Debate asserts that "Our aim is to facilitate lively, open debate on scientific and social issues.".[6] and "we always have a range of views on our panels - we work on the principle of airing contradictory views and allowing audiences to make up their own minds about the topics discussed."[5] The Great debate's organisers do not participate in LM network organisations and as the organisation does not follow the LM 'line', it seems to be merely associated with the network as a source of speakers rather than being integrated through shared personnel and philosophy as the network's entities are.
Contact
http://www.thegreatdebate.org.uk
Notes
- ↑ About The Great Debate, The Great Debate website, acc 7 Nov 2010
- ↑ About The Great Debate, The Great Debate website, acc 1 May 2010
- ↑ Previous Contributors to The Great Debate, The Great Debate website, accessed 1 May 2010
- ↑ The Great Debate Head to Head with Jonathon Porritt and Daniel Ben-Ami: Economic Growth: Bane or Boon?, The Great Debate website, accessed 1 May 2010
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Email from Caspar Hewett 19 Feb 2011
- ↑ About Us, The Great Debate website acc 19 Feb 2011
