Wednesday 18 August
Equal & Child-Centred - Is Britain
Ready for a Nordic Revolution
11.00 (12.00) Committee Room 1 FREE*
Scotland and Britain need practical solutions to the
economic and social problems produced by the current
crisis of capitalism. UK political parties are increasingly
cherry-picking ideas from the Nordic countries - successful,
adaptable, equal and community-based societies. But is
Britain really ready for a Nordic revolution? Speakers
include Agneta Stark of Stödstrumporna, the successful
Swedish campaign for women’s quotas in parliament and
Henny Aune, a pioneer of the Norwegian outdoor
kindergarten system. Chaired by Lesley Riddoch,
co-founder of Nordic Horizons, writer and broadcaster.
In association with Nordic Horizons
New Towns - Who Needs Them?
11.00 (12.00) Committee Room 3 FREE*
What is driving the current enthusiasm for New Towns in
Scotland? Is it Planning Policy? Is it landowners? Is it a
reduction in carbon emissions? Are our established towns
quality places to live, with economically thriving
communities? This lively and engaging “Question Time" style
debate presents the audience with an opportunity to quiz a
panel of experts including Robin Harper MSP; John Brown,
DTZ; Howard Liddell, GAIA Architects; and Alistair MacDonald,
Glasgow City Council. Chaired by Scottish Television's Political
Editor, Bernard Ponsonby.
In association with the Parliament's Cross Party Group on Architecture
and the Built Environment, supported by the RIAS and the RTPI.
Power of the People 
13.00 (14.00) Main Chamber - £6.00 (£3.50)
Book in advance
Politicians and political institutions undoubtedly play
a vital role in democracy. But politics is not the
exclusive reserve of our elected representatives
and democratic institutions. This event will examine
how people who are not professional politicians
can have a significant impact upon the political
landscape, and how this affects parliaments and
governments. Panelists include Annie Lennox,
providing an insight into how her SING Campaign
is combating HIV/AIDS in South Africa; Martin Bell recounting his successful campaign to become a “sleaze-busting” MP; and Mark Thomas, leading
political campaigning comedian and Perrier Award
nominee. Chaired by Alasdair Morgan MSP,
Deputy Presiding Officer.
Solutions to the Crisis in News Media
and Representative Democracy;
The Importance of Civil Society Activity
13.30 (15.00) Committee Room 1 FREE*
A thriving democracy and civil society has always been
dependent on strong and free news media that is truthful,
accurate and rigorous. The demise of traditional news media
coupled with the lack of trust in representative democracy
present major challenges to politics and to citizen engagement. This session will explore what can be done by
civil society groups (including voluntary and community
organisations, faith-based organisations, trade unions and
co-operatives) to grow a more pluralistic news media in the
interest of enriching democracy and strengthening civil
society. Panelists include Tamara Witschge, Cardiff University;
Blair Jenkins, former Chair of the Scottish Broadcasting
Commission; and Ian Macwhirter, political columnist,
the Sunday Herald. Chaired by Seamus McAleavey,
Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action.
In association with the Carnegie UK Trust.
Book online
Have We Succeeded in Putting the
'Folk' Back into Planning?
13.30 (14.30) Committee Room 3 FREE*
Patrick Geddes is seen as one of the pioneers of planning
practice. But how much has planning developed from the
principles he set out in the 19th century? Has reform
delivered a planning system fit for the 21st century? Join
Karen Anderson, Chair, Architecture and Design Scotland;
Archie Thomson, Renton Community Development Trust;
Peter Allan, PPCA Ltd; and Johann Lamont MSP as they
debate how changes in planning impact individuals and
local communities. Chaired by Lesley Riddoch,
Patron of Planning Aid for Scotland.
In association with Planning Aid for Scotland.
Is Peace Worth Fighting For?
16.00 (17.00) Main Chamber - £6.00 (£3.50)
Book in advance
There is a strong tradition of both pragmatism and ethics
in international affairs. The idealism of past generations
established the League of Nations and the United Nations in
attempts to reduce conflicts and aggression. Politicians have to
wrestle with the national interest, the security of citizens,
and their own principles - amongst many competing pressures -
before coming to momentous decisions. Sir Malcolm Rifkind
QC MP, and Joel Rosenthal, President of the Carnegie Council
for Ethics in International Affairs, will debate the ideas of just war,
peace, and security in a modern global society. Chaired by
The Very Reverend Graham Forbes, Provost of St Mary's
Cathedral Edinburgh.
In association with the Carnegie UK Trust.
Are Compassion and Philanthropy Working
in Harmony to Produce Truly Global Citizens?
17.00 (18.00) Committee Room 1 FREE*
Scotland has a long and proud history of compassion and
philanthropy; from great individuals to teachers and pupils in
our schools as they aim to be global citizens and caring
individuals. Recognising the needs of others is a core value in
our education system and a recognised feature in Scottish
culture. Across Scotland there is increasingly good work being
undertaken in our educational system to meet the needs of
people in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world.
But are Scottish schools rising to the challenge of
helping to create global citizens and in turn a society
recognised for its generosity of spirit? Join Anthony Finn, GTC
Scotland and other panelists including the Rt Hon Jack
McConnell MSP, Ewan McVicar, and Isabelle Boyde CBE.
Chaired by Mike Stevenson, Thinktastic.
In association with the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
Do We Really Care about Poverty
in Scotland?
17.00 (18.00) Committee Room 3 FREE*
In 2010, the European Year of Combating Poverty and Social
Exclusion, almost 1 million people are living in poverty in
Scotland and it is estimated that 250,000 are children. But do
we really care about poverty or are we deliberately distancing
ourselves from it, believing that we all have some control over
our own destiny and that poor people are to blame for their
own predicament? This event aims to explore the different
attitudes that exist towards poverty, and discuss whether these
create barriers to building support for eradicating poverty.
Panelists include Morag Gillespie, Research Fellow at the
Scottish Poverty Information Unit, Glasgow Caledonian University;
Joan McAlpine, Columnist and Assistant Editor, The Sunday Times Scotland; Fiona McHardy, the Poverty Alliance; Adrian Sinfield,
Emeritus Professor of Social Policy and University Fellow, School
of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh; and Ruth Wishart, Journalist and Broadcaster, The Herald. Chaired by Johann Lamont MSP.
In association with the Scottish Parliament’s Equality Team.
*Tickets available in advance (subject to a booking fee) or on the day
