Some dates for your diary, if you're the sort of person who takes any kind of interest in the world around you and your place within it. St Paul's Cathedral will stage a series of forums through autumn, in which accomplished speakers and thinkers debate "how to make the world — and our lives — better, more compassionate, more peaceful and freer".
All events last 90 minutes, are held under the dome of St Paul's and are completely free. Just turn up.
Tuesday 24 September, 6.30 - 8pm
Compassion: Karen Armstrong and Camila Batmanghelidjh
Why do we find it so hard to act with compassion for others, especially those different from ourselves? Can compassion find its place in our laws, our governments, our public life, as well as in our personal values?
Tuesday 15 October, 6.30 - 8pm
Freedom: Shami Chakrabarti and Peter Selby
We live in what is often called ‘the free world’, but also in an age of debt, long work hours, and increasingly with an epidemic of depression and a sense of powerlessness to change anything. Is this what it means to be free? How can we live our lives as people of freedom, and can we use it to free others?
Tuesday 22 October, 6.30 - 8pm
Peace: Stanley Hauerwas and Samuel Double SSF
Is there a connection between the conflicts that ravage our world and the way that we live our own lives and in our societies? How can we work for peace in the world and in our lives?
Tuesday 29 October, 7.15 - 8.45pm
Generosity: David Lammy MP and Lucy Winkett
Generosity could save the world. There is enough food and money for everyone on the planet if we took only what we need and gave the rest to those who have too little. But can we actually change our hearts, minds and politics enough to do that? And is there more to generosity than giving things away?
Tuesday 19 November, 6.30 - 8pm
Together: Michael Battle and Rowan Williams
Rather than merely being individuals in competition with each other. Can we learn to be together and to work together, and if we did, could we change the world?
