English Speaking Union Thanksgiving Dinner & Debate – 25th November ’16

Last Friday I was invited to the English Speaking Union to take part in their annual Thanksgiving dinner and debate, as I am involved and part of their Walter Hines Page Scholarship programme for 2017.

The English Speaking Union  (ESU) was founded by writer and journalist Sir Evelyn Wrench after the First World War, he felt that if the world was able to communicate more effectively, global understanding between nations would improve.

http://www.esu.org/

Walter Hines Page Scholarship is one of many projects and programmes the ESU facilitate, through their work with the Walter Hines Page Scholarship (WHPS) they support teaching and educational professionals to travel to the USA to research and exchange educational ideas in the field of communication.

Page Scholars such as myself (next year) travel to the US to study an aspect of education in which they are interested and which aligns with the ESU’s work, more on my scholarship and area for research will be in future blogs.

 

Walter Hines Page was an American journalist, publisher and diplomat. He was the American ambassador to the UK during the First World War. Page was one of the key figures involved in bringing the United States into The First World War, he admired his British roots and believed that the United Kingdom was fighting a war for democracy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Hines_Page

As such after work on the Friday I headed down to London and arrived at Dartmouth House where the ESU are based. Dartmouth House is a stunning 16th Century mansion house converted in the 19th century which impresses the moment you walk through its doors, I walked up its sweeping marble staircase, under the dazzling crystal chandelier and into, naturally the Churchill Room.

Aptly named as there was a public speaker who understood the power of words.

The event was a Thanksgiving dinner and debate, where the topic under discussion was  “Is the American Dream Dead?”

The meal a traditional American Thanksgiving meal was superb it consisted of:             Roast Turkey, Corn Bread Stuffing, Collard Greens, Maple roasted Carrots and Whipped Potatoes all served with delightful white wine, desert was a deconstructed pumpkin pie with cinnamon ice cream – Delicious!

On my table were a range of other guests all connected with the ESU and one major benefit for me attending was that I was able during the evening to converse with previous WHPS and discuss with them their experiences from their own travels, working and researching education topics in American schools.

The overriding message was one of immense joy and pleasure these alumni had in having the opportunity to widen their knowledge and life long learning and the connections made at the time have flourished post visits.

I discussed my own research proposal with colleagues, some who were the first to travel to America in the 60’s, they travelled by boat, and with others who returned recently, it was for me an eye opening opportunity, which allowed me to consider my own long term involvement with the ESU and I hope to be actively involved for many years after my American visit.

Also on my table were ESU members who support the organization and its wider work, I fell into discussion with a lawyer from New Zealand and a banker from South Africa, both who were passionate about the need for effective communication in both the field of education and industry.

I even had the chance to speak Jane Easton the Director General of the ESU

and outlined to her my research proposal when visiting American schools next year and how I hope to speak and blog about my experiences through my trade union platforms. Jane like all of the staff have been wonderfully supportive and welcoming.

After the superb meal the evening’s entertainment began with current and previous debating alumni chairing and participating in the debate topic, they begun by outlining their involvement and once again the key point of life long involvement shone through, all five of the debating team who’s ages varied considerably had visited America in some capacity with the ESU and spoke how life changing and life affirming their experiences were. They then gave a four minute speech on being for or against the motion being debated.

These speeches were informative, spikey, good natured and humorous but at their heart spoke for or against the motion, after which the audience were offered the chance to raise questions. I queried how the American Dream might survive under a regressive President  recently elected ‘Donald J Trump’

Final points were then made by the speakers and the audience were allowed to vote for or against the motion, it was a very close fought debate with neither side the clear winner, however it was a very stimulating and enjoyable evening .

In Summary:

Having the opportunity to apply for the WHPS through my union has given me a wonderful chance to explore an educational topic close to my heart and one affecting our society as a whole, this being the application of British Values into our education system, working closely with the ESU seems an extremely privileged gift, one that enables me to participate in evenings like this that allow me to continue on my own life long learning journey.

Special thanks must go to Wayne & Darren at my Union and further thanks to Melanie and Alex at the ESU for their support.

I look forward to many more events similar to this and travelling to the USA next year.