Tag: panel discussion

RESISTANCE: North Edinburgh Fights Back

NORTH EDINBURGH ACTIVISTS GO TO TOWN

NORTH Edinburgh community activists are taking their message to town this afternoon with two events taking place at art galleries in the city centre.

The events have been built around artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen’s RESISTANCE photo exhibition, which runs at the Modern 2 gallery on Belford Road until 4th January.

First up, community stalwarts Anna Hutchison and Willie Black will reflect on campaigns past and present in a panel discussion in the National Gallery at 12.45.

With so many years of campaigning experience Anna and Willie have a host of stories to share and, having known the pair for the best part of thirty years, I’ll be there to try to keep the event running to time!

The free event is sold out, but you can still register to watch online.

Later in the afternoon, two North Edinburgh groups have been working together on an ambitious project that encapsulates North Edinburgh’s spirit of resistance.

The result of the collaboration is the Solidarity Wins: Creative Resistance in North Edinburgh exhibition, which opens at The Portrait Gallery on Queen Street from 2pm today (details below).

It promises to be very good and it’s free – don’t miss it!

The details of today’s events:

RESISTANCE|NORTH EDINBURGH PANEL DISCUSSION

Free – Booking essential SOLD OUT

Book tickets

PICTURE: Craig McLean, Outside Drylaw Police station, community campaign GRASP protesting against Police harassment and violence, 2001

The Resistance exhibition chronicles 100 years of protest across Britain from 1903–2003. Using the exhibition as a starting point, activists Willie Black and Anna Hutchison alongside chair Dave Pickering, editor of the North Edinburgh News and Information Worker at Granton Information Centre, discuss North Edinburgh community activism, campaigns and actions, and their relationship and solidarity with local, national and international protests and change.

All tickets for the live event have been snapped up, but you can watch the discussion online in a streamed version of the live event.

Ticketholders will be sent a joining link before the event to either watch live or view the recording later. 

SOLIDARITY WINS: CREATIVE RESISTANCE in NORTH EDINBURGH

Solidarity Wins: Creative Resistance in North Edinburgh Exhibition Launch

2pm – 4pm

National Galleries of Scotland, The Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street, EH2 1J

Celebration with food, song and creative activities in the Contemporary Space of the Portrait Gallery. Art works, archive films and research material gathered by Art for Grown Ups and Royston Wardieburn Arts & Culture Group.

Join us for an afternoon of creativity, community and conversation celebrating North Edinburgh’s spirit of resistance.

As part of the Resistance exhibition, the National Galleries of Scotland’s Community Development programme has been working with North Edinburgh groups to create responsive work inspired by the area’s long history of community resistance.

Workshops have included song writing, poetry, photo-montage and exploring photographer Craig MacLean’s back catalogue of North Edinburgh activism, all of which will result in an riso-graph exhibition at the Portrait gallery in November.

As well as this North Edinburgh Arts worked with Local Cinema to programme films as part of their ‘Local Resistance’ programme.

Each screening event included a creative element, one of which included the Resistance choir performing their collaboratively penned song ‘Solidarity Wins: A Song for Greater Pilton‘, along with some well known songs on power of solidarity and friendship.

Thanks to song writing facilitator and choir leader Penny Stone and Tinderbox Jed Milroy and artists Sam Rutherford, Jj Fadaka and Megan Rudden, and all those involved so far!

The programme is a partnership with North Edinburgh Arts Art 4 Grown Ups and Royston Wardieburn Community Centre’s Arts and Culture Group.

IMAGE (above): Collaborative piece by Art 4 Grown Ups members, framed by Muirhouse anti-racism campaign image, 1991.

If anyone is free 2 – 4pm today, it’s the launch of ‘Solidarity Wins: Creative Resistance in North Edinburgh‘ exhibition at the Portrait Gallery, which has been a collaboration between North Edinburgh Arts’ Art 4 Grown Ups project and Royston Wardieburn Community Centre’s Arts and Culture Group (writes HOLLY YEOMAN).

Together they have reflected and responded to North Edinburgh activism and campaigns over the years. There is a community lunch catered by Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts and we will be singing our anthem ‘Solidarity Wins: A Song for Greater Pilton‘ at around 3pm-ish(!)

The exhibition will run till April, and we welcome community groups who might want to visit. If interested please email hyeoman@nationalgalleries.org

Holly Yeoman

QMU Black History Month event explores the lasting impact of the Windrush Scandal

Queen Margaret University will mark Black History Month with a thought-provoking panel led by the Home Office Windrush Engagement Team, shining a spotlight on the history and lasting impact of one of Britain’s most significant political scandals.

On Wednesday 8 October, the University will welcome speakers to unpack the history and far-reaching consequences of the Windrush Scandal. The event will also examine the Windrush Compensation Scheme, offering valuable insights for those directly affected and for anyone seeking to understand this pivotal moment in British history.

The Windrush generation refers to people who came to Britain from the Caribbean between 1948 and 1971, named after the ship HMT Empire Windrush.

In 2018, it was revealed that thousands of these individuals and their descendants – who had the legal right to live and work in the UK – were wrongly denied basic rights, including access to work, housing, healthcare, and banking.

Some were even detained or deported, while many faced severe financial hardship. In response, the Government established the Windrush Compensation Scheme to support those affected.

Paola Tisi, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Adviser at QMU, said: “Black History Month is not only about celebrating achievements, but also about confronting difficult truths. We are honoured to welcome the Windrush Engagement Team to lead our annual event this year – and, for the first time, open it up to the wider public. 

“The Windrush Scandal is one of the most significant injustices in recent Black history in the UK, and it continues to affect lives today. By creating space for open discussion, we can honour the resilience of the Windrush generation, raise awareness of their experiences, and ensure lessons are learned for the future.

“As a university with social justice at the core of our values, we are committed to advancing race equality both within and beyond our own institution.”

The event will take place on Wednesday 8 October 2025 from 16:00 – 17:30 in Queen Margaret University’s Halle Lecture Theatre.

It’s open to anyone who would like to learn more about the Windrush Scandal and the work of the Windrush Engagement Team. Following the talk, there will be an opportunity to ask the Windrush Engagement Team any questions. 

Book your place on Eventbrite – https://ow.ly/2XBP50X543r.

Holyrood’s Net Zero Committee heads to Royal Highland Show

We’ll be at this year’s Royal Highland Show!

Join the Net Zero Committee for an expert panel discussion on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.

The discussion will be led by Edward Mountain MSP, who says: “[This] Bill re-opens a political debate about land; how it is used and managed; how it can contribute to Scotland’s environmental objectives and how it can be used to strengthen rural economies and communities.”

📍 Upper Foyer, Highland Hall at 2pm on Friday 21 June.

More details here: https://www.parliament.scot/…/holyroods-net-zero…

Holyrood’s Net Zero, Energy & Transport Committee is set to host an expert panel discussion and open forum Q&A on the new Land Reform (Scotland) Bill at this year’s Royal Highland Show. 

Committee Convener, Edward Mountain MSP, will chair the event which will take place on Friday 21 June from 14.00 – 15.15, in the Upper Foyer of the Royal Highland Centre’s Highland Hall. 

Panellists set to take part in the discussion include;  

  • Andy Wightman, Land Campaigner, former MSP, forester & owner of ‘Who Owns Scotland’ website 
  • Prof Andrew Barnes, Head of Rural Economy, Environment & Society, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) 
  • Christopher Nicholson, Chairman, Scottish Tenant Farmers Association  
  • Sarah-Jane Laing, Chief Executive, Scottish Land & Estates  
  • Hamish Lean, Partner & Head of Rural Property, Shepherd and Wedderburn 

Committee Convener, Edward Mountain MSP, said; “Having recently received over 100 responses to our ‘call for views’ on the Bill, we are in no doubt of how passionate stakeholders, the length and breadth of Scotland, are about the topic of land reform. 

“The Bill re-opens a political debate about land; how it is used and managed; how it can contribute to Scotland’s environmental objectives and how it can be used to strengthen rural economies and communities. 

“It also seeks to make agricultural tenancy law fit for the 21st century, and more responsive to environmental concerns. In doing so, it rebalances the landlord-tenant relationship and it is crucial for us to consider whether the Bill gets the balance right. 

“With such an informed line-up of panellists and an anticipated audience of passionate stakeholders, we look forward to hosting an event that will really allow us to capture and discuss some of the key issues at play.” 

Stakeholders wishing to attend the event should book a free ticket here. 

Please also feel free to turn up on the day. 

#RHS24

#RoyalHighlandShow

Greenpeace: Invitation to The Cost of Living documentary screening and panel discussion

Where:

Grassmarket Community Project

86 Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh EH1 2QA.

When:

Thursday 17th November 19:30 – 21:00

What:

Greenpeace Edinburgh will be hosting a town hall event at the Grassmarket Community Project focused on the cost of living and climate crises. As part of the event, we will be showing a screening of Greenpeace’s latest documentary, “The Cost Of Living”.

This short documentary tells the story of volunteers in food banks and community centres across Rother Valley in Yorkshire. Feeling neglected and left behind by the government and facing enormous energy bills, more and more people rely on their community to help put food on their table and provide a warm refuge.

Food banks, social cafes and community centres are being stretched to the limit as winter looms large. As the women of Rother Valley try to keep their communities afloat, the government’s inaction stands in stark contrast.

Both the cost of living and climate crises can be solved by investing in renewable energy, properly insulating homes and providing people with the skills and training needed to deliver this green energy revolution.

The screening of the approx. 10 minute documentary will be followed by a panel discussion, featuring representatives from organisations including Living Rent, Just Stop Oil, Fuel Poverty Action and Leith Community Crops in Pots. 

Get in touch:

greenpeace-edinburgh@live.co.uk

https://linktr.ee/greenpeace.edinburgh

Event Details:

Register on Eventbrite

https://greenwire.greenpeace.org.uk/s/event/a2X4H000000opddUAA/edinburgh-townhall-meeting-on-the-cost-of-living-and-climate-crisis?language=en_US

https://fb.me/e/dstTnhBlT

FREE PANEL: ‘Illegal’ Edinburgh Shows & Index on Censorship Discuss Global Threat to Arts

++++ MEETING POSTPONED ++++

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED AND WILL NOW TAKE PLACE NEXT WEEK. FURTHER DETAILS WILL FOLLOW.

On Monday (08 August), 11.20am-12.20pm a free panel at Underbelly’s Friesian Theatre, McEwan Hall, will discuss the issue of producing theatre and art under the rising threat of censorship, with three international grassroot theatre companies to share their personal experiences.

Index on Censorship are partnering for the event, with moderator Nik Williams to give a global perspective on arts censorship.

Panellists include Max Percy and Natalie Chan with their Untapped Award winning show This is Not a Show About Hong Kong, a visually stunning piece of dance theatre which explores the blanket censorship trigged by the imposition of the Chinese government’s National Security Bill in Hong Kong. If the show were to be performed in Hong Kong performances could be summarily banned, and Max & Natalie could face a minimum five years in prison.

Davinia Hamilton and Sam Edmunds of Blanket Ban (also an Untapped Award winner)will be on the panel to discuss their multimedia, docu-theatre show which explores the blanket ban on abortion in Malta and features video testimony of Maltese women who have had abortions.

Of course hauntingly timely in the wake of overturning of Roe V Wade in USA which has caused a seismic shift in the conversation surrounding abortion rights worldwide. Again, if this play were to be performed in Malta, the creative team could face prosecution.

Finally Rhum + Clay’s Julian Spooner and Syrian composer Khaled Kurbeh of Project Dictator will contribute to the panel.

Their shows follows two clowns performing a show amid political instability; initially enjoying apparent freedom of expression against the backdrop of liberal democracy, before the production is slowly engulfed by the creeping shadow of authoritarianism. The play was inspired by conversations with artists living under autocratic regimes from Brazil to Venezuela and Afghanistan to Azerbaijan.

Index on Censorship is an organization campaigning for freedom of expression, which produces a quarterly magazine of the same name from London.

Small Business, Big Dreams: Amazon to host interactive livestream to help budding owners grow their businesses

 Livestream discussion will take place on Thursday 30th June 2022 on Amazon UK’s Instagram channel, featuring founder of The Break, Patricia Bright; Foolish founder Olivia Attwood; and Montana Brown, founder of Swim Society – all spilling their secrets on what it takes to grow a business today.

These well-known faces will be joined by entrepreneurs from some of Amazon’s successful small business selling partners, including Human Food and Absolute Collagen.

The livestream panel discussion is all part of Amazon’s support of small businesses ahead of its upcoming Prime Day celebrations, with shoppers also in with a chance to Win Big by Supporting Small.

Amazon announces the launch of Small Business, Big Dreams: an interactive, virtual livestream aimed at helping up-and-coming entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.

The livestreamed discussion will explore the future of young entrepreneurship and how to successfully market a business in the ever-changing social media age of 2022.

To tune in for free, head to Amazon UK’s Instagram channel, at 7pm on Thursday 30th June 2022 to take part and submit questions for the panel. 

Last year, Prime Day saw customers spend over $1.9bn globally on more than 70 million small business products during the promotional period, but with a constantly evolving economy, the next generation of entrepreneurs and business owners require the right tools and guidance to help them adapt and succeed online.

Amazon’s Small Business, Big Dreams livestream will give future entrepreneurs inspiration and advice on turning a brilliant start-up idea into a successful business, as well as exploring the impact an engaged online following can have on a brand. 

Celebrity business owners, including Patricia Bright, Olivia Attwood, and Montana Brown, will offer their expertise on a range of useful topics for budding business owners, including the power of influence and the impact it can have on start-ups; going viral and its potential effect upon a business; and how to take a business to the next level once the sales start to come in.

Those who tune in will be able to send through questions in advance for the panel which will be moderated by host, Patricia Bright, to discuss and answer. 

Alongside the celebrities, small business owners Ky Wright of Human Food, Class of 2022 Forbes 30 under 30’s Darcy Laceby of Absolute Collagen, and Olivia Ferdi of TRIP Drinks will join the livestream panel.

As experienced Amazon small business selling partners, they will share their personal advice on why combining social media with selling on a store like Amazon can be a great way to take a business to the next level, and how events such as Prime Day offer huge opportunities to their respective brands. 

The full line-up is:

  • Patricia Bright, founder of The Break, as panel host
  • Olivia Attwood, founder of Foolish
  • Montana Brown, founder of Swim Society
  • Darcy Laceby, co-founder of Absolute Collagen
  • Ky Wright, founder of Human Food
  • Olivia Ferdi, co-founder director of TRIP Drinks
  • Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation

John Boumphrey, Country Manager, Amazon UK said:“We’re so lucky to have such a talented pool of next generation UK entrepreneurs. We know it can sometimes be tricky to navigate the complexities of launching a business in this digital age, so it’s brilliant to see such a great line-up of innovators and experts coming together to give their insights.

“Over 50% of products sold on Amazon in the UK are from small and medium sized businesses, and key events such as our upcoming Prime Day can have a huge impact on start-ups. Our small business selling partners included in the line-up will be sure to impart their expert advice for those who have a dream of setting up their own successful business.”

Patricia Bright, founder of The Break, an empowering online platform for women, said: “I know from experience that starting your own business is never easy, but I’ve been lucky to grow my brand largely in part to social media and I owe everything to my loyal supporters – many who have been with me since day one.

“I’m excited to lead the panel on behalf of Amazon and to join an important conversation around supporting the future of young entrepreneurs in whatever way I can.”

Olivia Attwood, founder of contemporary luxury brand, Foolish, said: “I’ve put my heart and soul into growing the brand identity of Foolish on social media, as that’s where my audience lives.

“I can’t wait to join the panel to discuss how to navigate social media as a brand and hopefully help others thrive as a result!”

Montana Brown, founder of swimwear brand, Swim Society, said: “It’s really important that we support small businesses as much as possible, especially in today’s climate.

“I hope that people send in as many questions as they can during the livestream so we can help them on their business journey.”

This year Amazon has made it easier than ever to support small businesses on Prime Day:

  • Win Big by Supporting Small: From Tuesday 21st June until Monday 11th July, for every £1 spent on eligible small business products, customers will receive a chance to win great prizes. Hundreds of thousands of customers globally will have a chance to win Amazon gift cards. To learn more, visit amazon.co.uk/primedaysweepstakes.
  • Look for the Small Business Badge: Prime members can discover and shop products from small business brands in Amazon’s store with the new Small Business Badge. This new badge makes it easier for members to identify products from small business brands and artisans. To learn more and shop curated collections, visit amazon.co.uk/supportsmall.