2016 chamber event partners
The House of Lords is working with a number of organisations to deliver the 2016 Chamber Event.
The English-Speaking Union
The English-Speaking Union (ESU), an educational charity, was founded in 1918 by the writer and journalist Sir Evelyn Wrench. It is a membership organisation with branches throughout the UK and has a presence in over 50 countries worldwide. The ESU's vision is to provide people in the UK and internationally with communication skills, confidence and networking opportunities. It endeavours to see that the value of good communication as an essential attribute for individual, community and global development and understanding is publicly recognised and widely integrated into education and social policy.
38 Degrees
38 Degrees is an activist network that campaigns on a range of issues around democracy, human rights, peace, and environmental causes. It is funded by its members, and is not connected to any political party. Established in 2009, its members choose what 38 Degrees campaigns on through polls on its website. It has successfully campaigned against government plans to sell state-owned woodland; for anti-human trafficking legislation; and against the online sale of banned pesticides.
English PEN
English PEN is the founding centre of a worldwide writers' association with 145 centres in more than 100 countries. It is also a founding member of the Free Word Centre. It campaigns to defend writers and readers in the UK and around the world whose human right to freedom of expression is at risk. It campaigns on surveillance reform, as well as highlighting targeting of journalists in conflict, legal issues around free speech and press regulation.
As well as these campaigns, English PEN works to match writers with marginalised groups such as people in prisons in the UK, in refugee or detention centres and young people in disadvantaged areas, opening minds to reading and creative writing.
Migrants Organise
Migrants Organise is a group organising with and for migrant and refugee communities on a range of educational, social and cultural issues, including mentoring and skills training, group activities, volunteering, and activism. Established in 1993, it continues to serve and advocate for the issues specific communities face with planning, lobbying, policy work and the delivery of support to migrants and refugees in London.
Newham Sixth Form College
Newham Sixth Form College (NewVIc) is London's largest sixth form college with over 2500 full-time students. Its young people are aged 16-19, progressing from year 11 at school. Established in 1992, the college aims to increase opportunities for school leavers in Newham and neighbouring boroughs who opt to stay in education. Its courses cover vocational and academic routes in a wide range of subjects, and all students are able to benefit from work experience placements.
Speakers' Corner Trust
Speakers' Corner Trust promotes free expression, public debate and active citizenship as a means of stimulating civil society in the UK and supporting its development in emerging democracies. Its emphasis is on face-to-face engagement and the success of its local projects has been based on their capacity to harness the ideas, energy, goodwill and voluntary commitment to be found in every community.