The Hexham Debates are an initiative of Hexham Quaker Meeting. The project was set up in 2007, initially as a response to Parliament’s plans to replace Trident, Britain’s nuclear weapons system. Now in its 10th year, the Hexham Debates offer the chance to hear well-informed speakers on the theme of ‘Justice, Peace and Democracy’. For more information about the 2021 season click here
The Debates are not adversarial. They cover matters of important topical interest, in a straightforward non-confrontational context. The title is inspired by the Putney Debates of 1647, when members of Cromwell’s New Model Army discussed what sort of country should be established in the wake of the Civil War. Our Hexham Debates which are now all taking place via Zoom, start at 11am on a Saturday morning, an invited speaker talks for about 30 minutes, followed by another 30 minutes for questions and discussion. The Zoom meeting will remain open for a further 30 minutes for small groups to meet in breakout rooms if they wish.
The Hexham Debates seek to carry on the tradition of active, radical debate essential for ensuring freedom and justice for all. We hope that this programme will demonstrate ways in which a government’s power depends for its legitimacy on the consent of its citizens – and perhaps reveal how far we have moved away from that ideal.
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