2009 Programme: Festival weekend overview

The Festival weekend includes more than 70 debates which are listed below ordered by time slot and room. To see Saturday or Sunday sessions only, select the day you want from the menu on the left or select sessions by Theme.

Or view and print out the Timetable as a two-page PDF.


Saturday 31 October: 10.30am to 12.00pm
Battle for the Global Economy Courtyard Gallery
The State and Recession: solution or part of the problem?

Saturday 31 October: 12.15pm to 1.15pm
Lunchtime Debates Upper Gulbenkian Gallery
Post-recession Ideologies: it's the politics, stupid!
Lunchtime Debates Lecture Theatre 2
Debating Development

Saturday 31 October: 1.30pm to 3.00pm
Battle for the Global Economy Courtyard Gallery
You Produce, I Consume: Global Imbalances, Causes and Consequences

Saturday 31 October: 3.30pm to 5.00pm
Battle for the Global Economy Courtyard Gallery
Unlimited Ltd: Economic growth and its discontents
Café Controversies Café
The Rise of the Philanthrocapitalists: can the rich save the world?

Saturday 31 October: 5.15pm to 6.30pm
Thought for the day Lecture Theatre 1
Africa and Aid: the Effects of the Recession

Sunday 1 November: 9.45am to 10.30am
Breakfast Banter Lecture Theatre 1
Risky Business: does financial engineering add up?

Sunday 1 November: 10.45am to 12.15pm
Battle for Work Courtyard Gallery
The changing meaning of work – from work-life balance to unemployment
Creativity Zone Student Union
Can the arts save the economy?

Sunday 1 November: 1.45pm to 3.15pm
Battle for Work Courtyard Gallery
Working for the State: public service or gravy train?

Sunday 1 November: 3.45pm to 5.15pm
Battle for Work Courtyard Gallery
Recession-proofing: from union militancy to reskilling

Sunday 1 November: 5.30pm to 6.30pm
Keynote Controversies Upper Gulbenkian Gallery
America, Obama and the Recession

Festival Buzz
The Science and Politics of Climate Change

View: The Science and Politics of Climate Change

"The Battle of Ideas goes from strength to strength. The intensity, variety and depth of debate, sustained for an entire weekend, makes for a unique experience charging the intellectual batteries for the rest of the year."
Raymond Tallis, emeritus professor of geriatric medicine, Manchester University