Tickets for Edinburgh International Book Festival’s special event with Greta Thunberg will go on sale TODAY (7 June) at noon via the EIF website.
Taking place at the Edinburgh Playhouse on Sunday 13 August at 17:30, we’re excited to welcome Greta Thunberg for this inspiring evening to discuss the science behind our changing planet, and what we can do to inspire collective action across the globe.
Greta Thunberg: It’s Not Too Late to Change The World is sponsored by Open University Scotland and hosted in association with Edinburgh International Festival. Gemma Cairney will chair this powerful, timely event.
Thunberg will discuss activism and The Climate Book – a publication created by the activist which pulls together the wisdom of over 100 experts to tell the truth about climate change.
Book and Ticket offer
In addition to your event ticket, we are offering the opportunity to buy a limited number of signed copies of The Climate Book for an additional £23, with collection available in the venue on the evening of the event. You can add the signed book to your ticket order during the checkout process through the EIF box office.
How to book tickets
Tickets for Greta Thunberg will be sold exclusively through the Edinburgh International Festival’s Box Office.
From noon today (7 June), you can purchase your tickets here. A queue will be in place, and it is recommended that ticket buyers register here prior to the date of sale to ensure the best experience possible.
TORIES ‘FAILING’ VULNERABLE UNACCOMPANIED ASYLUM-SEEKING CHILDREN
Deidre Brock MP will use a House of Commons debate today to call on the UK government to devolve immigration powers to the Scottish Parliament so Scotland can create an asylum system based on fairness and dignity.
Leading a Westminster Hall debate, the Edinburgh North & Leith MP will argue that the Tories are failing to protect vulnerable, unaccompanied children seeking asylum in the UK.
She will also outline how the Illegal Migration Bill will make the situation even worse for children who have been separated from their parents and how it significantly encroaches on devolved powers.
Commenting, Deidre Brock MP said: “The Tories have utterly failed in their duty to safeguard the wellbeing of vulnerable unaccompanied children seeking safety and refuge in the UK.
“Hundreds of children have gone missing from Home Office run-hotels, sparking condemnation from the UN that the UK Government is failing in its obligations to prevent the trafficking of children.
The Illegal Migration Bill will make the situation even worse as the door will be slammed in their faces when they arrive in the UK to seek sanctuary.
“I am proud that Scotland has played its part in welcoming refugees who are desperate to rebuild their lives. However, powers still lie with the UK government and their hostile environment policies. Creating safe and legal routes is the only realistic way to disrupt the business model human traffickers use to exploit already vulnerable people.
“Power over immigration should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament so we can build an immigration system that works for Scotland and an asylum system with compassion and respect.”
Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, spoke in Ver-sur-Mer, during an international ceremony at the British Normandy memorial to mark the 79th anniversary of D-Dayyesterday:
Mr. Minister, Your Excellency, veterans, ladies and gentlemen.
Before coming here my officials drafted a speech they thought I might want to deliver.
It celebrated the heroes, objectives captured and the units.
And if I had not served myself I would have no doubt I would have delivered it.
But what I wanted to say today was that this day belongs as much to the ordinary soldier, sailor, airman as it does the outstanding.
Because the 6th June was an achievement of the platoon commanders, the non-commissioned officers, the private, and the airman and then naval rating.
Because it is they who had to conquer first the fear.
Who had to sort order from chaos, and who in the end had to stand up and walk towards the guns.
It was they who had to inspire their section or troops.
They who had no certainty of survival.
Each man on 6 June would have to have rationalised the potential death they faced with themselves.
That was the first obstacle on the day to overcome.
And once that fear was overcome the task of turning the vast enterprise that was Operation Overlord could commence.
As we celebrate the victory of the Allied forces on these beaches 79 years ago today, we should reflect that at this very moment there are men and women of Ukraine trying to overcome that same fear and trepidation.
In assembly areas and on start lines along the vast front, each individual will be mentally preparing themselves for potential death or victory.
They will be experiencing that same anxious feeling in the stomach. They will be trying to think of their home in the same way those Allies who had come from so very far away to this beach, on this day, 79 years ago.
They will be looking to their friends beside them and their Corporals for encouragement or reassurance.
The fear that many of us have witnessed first-hand will be somewhere behind the eyes.
They will be doing what the Free French did so powerfully on this day. They will be fighting for their lands, their soil.
They will be fighting for Europe to be free.
We should not underestimate the challenge it is to go forward under fire.
Attacking is a very different task from defending.
The memorials here today remind us of that.
We must be grateful as a generation that on that day of days courage was on our side.
That despite all the chaos, and fear and noise, it was the ordinary who grabbed their rifle, overcame fear and fought for us all.
Across Scotland 460 community projects are today celebrating the news of a National Lottery cash boost of £13 million.
More than fifty Edinburgh projects received funding announced today.
Children 1st is the highest awardee, receiving £200,000 to continue providing holistic support to high-poverty risk families at national and local level across Scotland via a free telephone helpline, digital services and whole family support accessible 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The project will support 5,621 families and engage 60 volunteers over two years.
People Know How, ELREC, Dr Bell’s Family Centre and Empty Kitchens Full Hearts are all among the big winners and there was also smaller windfalls for many groups including Fresh Start, Edinburgh Tool Library. ELREC again – twice! – Granton Youth and West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre.
See below for a full list of projects
The National Lottery Community Fund makes the announcement on the day it launches its new UK wide strategy ‘It starts with community’[LS1] which sets out its ambitions as funder of community led activity from now until 2030.
Being part of a community can forge a sense of belonging and security which is something 50-year-old Sharon Veelenturf from Fife can relate to. Since her son, Luuk, 18, was a toddler Sharon and her family have been supported by the Scottish charity, Kindred Advocacy.
Today the group receives a National Lottery award of £97,463 to provide support and advocacy for hundreds of families in Fife over the next three years.
Luke was a Syndrome without a Name (SWAN) baby, born with an array of severely complex conditions and his parents were told he was unlikely to survive. However, ever since he was discharged from hospital at just 13 weeks old, he has continued to defy all odds and is currently looking towards continuing his studies at college.
Sharon explained: “Kindred Advocacy have been with our family every step of the way and have made an amazing difference to Luuk. I would be lost without them.
“Without their support, Luuk would have languished in mainstream education, being a bum in a seat but not learning much at all. Over the years they have supported us through lots of very difficult times in relation to ensuring Luuk, with his very complex health needs, was kept safe within school and within the healthcare system. He would not have reached his potential without their support.”
Sophie Pilgrim, Director, Kindred Advocacysaid: “With the current cost of living crisis, it is more important than ever that we are able to share our parenting expertise and help families to ensure that they have the basics such as Child Disability Payment, appropriate schooling, aids and adaptations.
“We are in the process of employing two new staff and looking forward to supporting many new parents across Fife, providing a service that transforms the experience of parenting a child with complex needs.”
Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund said: “I am delighted to see £13 million of National Lottery funding going to projects where connections and community action are central to happier healthier lives.
“It’s all thanks to National Lottery players that we can continue funding these activities to help many more people like Sharon and her family.
“I am delighted to tell you that today we launch our new UK wide strategy – It starts with Community – which sets out our direction of travel and ambitions as a funder from now and until 2030.
“We will increase focus and investment in creating lasting change that tackles inequality and most importantly improves lives for more people and communities across Scotland.”
The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.
It’s new strategy – It starts with community – is available here.
