Activists’ working lunch
Grab a sandwich and join the debate

Saturday 16 May, 12.55pm until 1.40pm, Churchill Room The Battle for the Economy

The wide variety of protests organised against the G20 at the start of April might suggest a lively public sphere engaged in serious debates and action in relation to economic life, but how healthy is political activism today? A coalition of trade unionists, development NGOs and climate campaigners marched under one banner at the G20: for ‘Jobs, Justice, Climate’. Does this represent a cohesive and powerful challenge to the status quo, or rather a more general sense of popular disgruntlement that lacks a cutting edge? Our ‘Public Summit’ challenges four campaigning groups to give us their take on the G20 demonstrations. They will each give us two minutes on the worst idea to come out of the G20 - then have two minutes to convince us of their positive alternative. Not convinced by today’s activists – or by their critics? Come along, challenge them, and judge for yourself.

Listen to the session audio…

Other formats are available here

Speakers
Vivien Regan
assistant director/producer, WORLDwrite

John Hilary
executive Director, War on Want

Nick O'Donovan
founder, DoSomethingAboutIt.org.uk

Josie Appleton
convenor, Manifesto Club; author, The Case Against Vetting

Chair:
Suzy Dean
freelance journalist, researcher and writer on democracy, multiculturalism and cities; co-organiser, IoI Current Affairs Forum


Festival Buzz
The Science and Politics of Climate Change

View: The Science and Politics of Climate Change

"The Battle of Ideas is a unique opportunity to learn from vigorous exchanges among some of the world's best-informed and most provocative people."
Martin Wolf, chief economics commentator, Financial Times