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Convention on Modern Liberty
When: Saturday 28th February 2009 - 09:15 - 18:00
Where: St. David's Hall, The Hayes, Cardiff
We are entering a dangerous period in our country. Economic turmoil threatens profound hardship and disharmony. Disenchantment with politics is growing and even legitimate protest is threatened by an unprecedented programme of challenges to our rights, freedoms and democracy. Sixty years ago Britain was a proud co-author of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Now it is increasingly centralized, abandoning its historic principles some of which date back to the Magna Carta.
The Government’s continued stated determination to extend detention without charge in terrorism cases to 42 days is one symbol of the damage done to our hard-won rights and freedoms. The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), which gives hundreds of agencies access to people’s records without their knowing, is another. The collection of all available records on a huge central database for the use of the authorities is a third.
We believe that such threats can be overcome but only if the public is awoken to the dangers. While we may be impatient for action, the issues must be addressed in an open-minded way with as thorough and accessible public debate as possible.
Therefore we invite you to join a Convention on Modern Liberty.
Draft Programme
09:45 Opening Keynote Address
Live on screen from London: Shami Chakrabati opens the Convention on Modern Liberty.
10:00 First Plenary: What is the Crisis?
Live on screen from London, with Q&A live from Manchester.
Chair: Georgina Henry. Speakers: Nick Clegg MP, Dominic Grieve QC MP, Helena Kennedy QC, David Lammy MP, Ken Macdonald QC.
11:45 Morning Session: Human Rights, Democracy and Governance - speakers TBC.
Speakers will be followed by a Panel Discussion with audience participation.
13:00 Lunch break
14:30 Afternoon Session: The Future of Freedom - speakers TBC.
Speakers will be followed by a Panel Discussion with audience participation.
15:45 Second Keynote Address
Live on screen from London, with author Phillip Pullman.
16:00 Second Plenary: Freedom and Democracy after the Market Meltdown
Live on screen from London, with Q&A live from Manchester.
Chair: Anthony Barnett. Speakers: Cory Doctorow, Chris Huhne MP, Will Hutton, Caroline Lucas MEP, Chuka Umunna.
17:15 Third Keynote Address
Live on screen from London, with David Davis MP.
17:45 Closing Session
Details TBC.
This programme may be subject to change, so please contact us or check http://www.modernliberty.net/satellite-conventions/cardiff for updates.