Hansard Society eNewsletter - May 2008
Hansard Society News
Hansard Society Chair pays tribute to Lord Holme
Researching with Communities - New book published
Events
Parliamentary e-Petitions: Politics lite?
Teachers and Young People
HeadsUp Forum: 9 June - 27 June
Hansard Society News
Hansard Society Chair pays tribute to Lord Holme
Peter Riddell pays tribute to his Hansard Society Council colleague and the former Chair of the Society, after the sad news of the death of Lord Holme over the weekend. Peter said:
"Richard Holme, Lord Holme of Cheltenham, who died at his home in Sussex on Sunday after a long battle with cancer, was central to the expansion of the Hansard Society to its current size and prominence. He served for three decades on our Council and for six years as our Chairman, until June last year. Throughout, he displayed an uncanny skill and astuteness, both in spotting where the next opportunities lay for the Society and in his dealings with members of the Council, with staff, and supporters in Parliament and outside. He always saw the big picture and ensured that the Society was actively involved in new challenges affecting Parliament. Apart from the expansion of the Society under his Chairmanship - which largely overlapped with Clare Ettinghausen's period as Chief Executive - he set up a successful and influential commission under the Hansard Society's auspices into how Parliament should communicate with the public. This was chaired by Lord Puttnam, now a Vice Chair on the Hansard Society's Advisory Council.
"But, above all, Richard Holme had a zest and enthusiasm for politics, combined with a commitment to improving the way we are governed. His long involvement with the Hansard Society went alongside his leading part in the debate over constitutional reform and his role as a close adviser on strategy to David Steel and Paddy Ashdown as leaders of the Liberals and, then, the Liberal Democrats. Richard Holme was a generous, warm and witty man who will be much missed by all who knew him and everyone at the Hansard Society."
Researching with Communities - New book published
Hansard Society eDemocracy Director, Andy Williamson, launched a new book at the end of April called
Researching with Communities: Grounded perspectives on engaging communities in research. It provides guidance, examples and discussions for researchers that are aiming to promote a community voice in their work. This book looks at the issues from an international perspective with chapters drawn from a range of disciplines including; community development, mental health, migration and refugees, and community technology. It draws on the experiences of researchers and community practitioners to explore what community based research means in a variety of settings and how it can be carried out meaningfully, respectfully and inclusively.
Events
Parliamentary e-Petitions: Politics lite?
Tuesday 20 May, 6 - 7.15pm, House of Commons
Speakers include:
Bethan Jenkins AM, Member, Petitions Committee (Assembly for Wales)
Rt Hon Greg Knight MP, Chair, Procedure Committee
Andy Williamson, Director, eDemocracy Programme, Hansard Society
Chair: Pete Picton, Online Editor, The Sun
This event will debate the implications of the Procedure Committee’s recent report on e-Petitions, discuss what the next steps might be, how the process might work to ensure that the public are engaged and limit disillusionment with Parliament.
To register please
click here.
Teachers and Young People
HeadsUp Forum: 9 June - 27 June
NHS at 60......
What's your assessment of this institution in the 21st century?
HeadsUp is an online forum that encourages young people to debate topics that have been chosen by young people. This months forum is on the NHS and the future of health care in Britain. The following key questions will be put to young people in the debate:
- Pay as you go……should we be taxed for health care or make our own arrangements?
- Hitting the mark……do targets on standards of health care, waiting times etc help deliver results?
- Behind the stats……what are your experiences of the NHS?
- Treatment for all?…….should people be allowed to get plastic surgery and treatment for obesity on the NHS?
Key health legislators from the major political parties will be invited to debate the important issues with young people.
Until next time......
Beccy Allen
Events and Communications Coordinator