Debating Society - East Dulwich

[Hugfrancis]

I am looking to create a small debating society (5 people?) to meet regularly (weekly?) in a conference room in the East Dulwich area.

I will pay for the room, and for some drinks and light refreshment. In return, I will chair the meeting, in order that every participant gets a fair share of the discussion, and that off-the-point or long-winded monologues are curtailed.

At the meeting’s conclusion, I hope everyone will have learnt something, and that their opinions might be better informed.

In return, I am looking for people with some (or all!) of these qualities:

* A curiosity about one or more of the following subjects: economics, culture, politics, history, society.

* A knowledge that goes beyond the BBC’s free webpage, The Guardian or the Daily Mail.

* An ability to hear and challenge (respectfully) opinions which you might strongly oppose. For example, that the British Empire was a force for good, or that children should be allowed and helped to change their gender.

* An interest in debate. For some people, this is just ‘arguing’ - and pointless. Some people just cannot imagine changing their opinions.

Further information:

I currently attend a weekly meeting called 'Club Philo' in the French Institute (Knightsbridge) where a group of about 20 discuss a subject proposed by one of the attendees.

Subjects to be discussed will be decided by the attendees.

Nobody is expected to stand up and give a speech. We are sitting down, behind our glass of wine/beer.

Please respond or DM (direct mail) me to express an interest or for more details. Otherwise:

Francis