Democracy and Human Rights Hub Issue 5
Article posted by Unlock Democracy
Sections below:
- Campaign News
- Research, Reports, Projects and Publications
- Jobs, Volunteers and Courses
- Events
Campaign News
The Sustainable Communities Act (Unlock Democracy): Last week, The Secretary of State for Local Government Hazel Blears invited local authorities to ‘opt-in’ to the Sustainable Communities Act. Unlock Democracy, together with 54 other organisations, have written to all group leaders and chief executives to urge them to do so and are encouraging the public to write to their councillors. Link: http://www.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/?page_id=537
Research, Reports, Projects and Publications
Response to Weekend Voting Consultation (Unlock Democracy): http://www.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/?p=1438
Response to A National Framework for Citizen Engagement (Unlock Democracy): http://www.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/?p=1436
Citizen (Unlock Democracy): Members magazine featuring an interview with Nick Herbert MP and articles on devolution, policing, direct democracy and the need for a written constitution. Link: www.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/?p=1413
Sustainable Communities Act: The key that finally unlocks real local potential (New Local Government Network): Councils should use the Sustainable Communities Act to push forward towards new powers and freedoms according to the New Local Government Network. Link: http://tinyurl.com/5736jd
Taking Liberties: the struggle for Britain’s freedoms and rights (British Library): The British Library’s forthcoming free exhibition Taking Liberties: the struggle for Britain’s freedoms and rights uncovers the roots of British democracy over a period of more than 900 years. Link: http://www.bl.uk/takingliberties
Snapshot 60 (British Youth Council): a UK-wide photo competition commemorating 60 years of the British Youth Council. Link: http://www.byc.org.uk/snapshot60/
Jobs, Volunteers and Courses
Administration Officer (Unlock Democracy): http://www.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/?page_id=594
Research and Campaigns Interns (Unlock Democracy): http://www.unlockdemocracy.org.uk/?page_id=434
Events
Citizenship: The Goldsmith Review (Associate Parliamentary Group on Constitution, Parliament and Citizenship) – Wednesday 29 October, 6pm Wednesday 29th October in the Grimond Room, Portcullis House. With Lord Goldsmith. Plus the APG AGM.
Engaging online: Getting citizens back to the centre of democracy (The Hansard Society) – Wednesday 29 October, 6-8pm, Scottish Parliament. A free seminar to discuss eDemocracy in Scotland. Speakers will be Dr Laura Miller (Hansard Society), Navraj Singh Ghaleigh (University of Edinburgh), Aileen Campbell MSP (MSP for South of Scotland), Fergus Cochrane (Scottish Parliament). Link: http://tinyurl.com/6rl67z
Making Politics Fit for Purpose (The Political Studies Association/the Hansard Society) – Wednesday October 29, 6.30pm, Westminster. The prestigious annual lecture of the Political Studies Association/the Hansard Society will be given by the Rt Hon Clare Short MP, who will argue that public disillusionment with the British political system is justified. Link: http://tinyurl.com/5k69fu
Freedom in Brown’s Britain: A Historical Perspective (British Institute of Human Rights / British Library) – 4 November 2008, 1pm – 2pm, Conference Centre, British Library. Join Professor Conor Gearty, Director of the Centre for the Study of Human Rights at LSE, for this BIHR lunchtime talk exploring themes  of political freedom in the contemporary British context. The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session. Link: http://tinyurl.com/kz9uz
Averting the Next Crisis – why transparency in lobbying matters (Alliance for Lobbying Transparency) – 6-7pm, 5 November 2008, Committee Room Six, House of Commons. Chair: David Hencke (The Guardian), Speakers: Robbie MacDuff, (Chair, Association of Professional Political Consultants), Robert Siddall, (CEO, Airport Operators Association), Peter Facey (Director, Unlock Democracy), Prof David Miller (Director, SpinWatch), Guido Fawkes (prominent Westminster blogger). Expect fireworks! Link: http://www.lobbyingtransparency.org/
America Votes, Europe Responds (Fabian Society) – 8 November 2008. A one-day public conference on the immediate Saturday following the US Presidential election. Link: http://fabians.org.uk/events/events/america-votes
The Sustainable Communities Act 2007- How to involve your Community Group (Environmental Law Foundation) – 11 November 2008, Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL. The event will include an introduction to the Act and a general discussion of how it can benefit both your local area and your Community Group. Places are limited. Link: http://www.elflaw.org/site/sustainable-communities-event.html
Annual General Meeting (Unlock Democracy) – 11am-4pm, 22 November 2008, University of London Union, Malet Street, London.
Rights without responsibilities: A decade of the Human Rights Act (British Institute of Human Rights / British Library) – 24 November 2008, 1pm – 2pm, Conference Centre, British Library. What would the Conservatives do with human rights? Expect a thought-provoking lecture as Nick Herbert MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, gives a Conservative perspective. The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session. Link: http://tinyurl.com/kz9uz
Cash Back? A participatory budgeting event (London Civic Forum) – 24 November 2008, 9.30am-4pm, Church House Conference Centre, Deans Yard, Westminster SW1P 3NZ: an opportunity for individuals to learn about participatory budgeting, share best practice and learn how to implement it as a tool for empowering citizens. Places strictly limited. Link: http://tinyurl.com/58o3lo
Democracy and Equality – towards genuine universal suffrage (Unlock Democracy) – 7pm, Wednesday 26 November, Grimond Room, Portcullis House, Westminster. Lecture by David Blunket MP. Please reserve your place. RSVP: samuel.tarry*at*unlockdemocracy*dot*org*dot*uk
