Philip Alston: Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights
“WESTERN governments have loudly proclaimed the need for radical responses to the pandemic, but for the most part their lavish spending has doubled down on existing policies while paving the way for a whole new round of austerity policies.”
So says Philip Alston, United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights from June 2014 to April 20 and a New York University School of Law professor to boot.
In this evening’s online talk, Australian-born Alston will examine responses to Covid-19 and the impact on those already experiencing poverty and inequality.
Brought to you remotely by the University of York, York Festival of Ideas is full of ideas until June 14, gathered under the new umbrella of Virtual Horizons. Visit yorkfestivalofideas.com/2020-online/.
How To Grow A Human: Adventures In How We Are Made And Who We Are: Dr Philip Ball’s talk at the 2020 York Festival of Ideas this evening
SCIENCE writer Dr Philip Ball asks: “What does it mean to be human and to have a ‘self’ in the face of new scientific developments in genetic editing, cloning and the growth of tissues and organs outside the body?”
His question, posited at the online York Festival of Ideas this evening, was prompted by seeing his own skin cells used to grow clumps of new neurons that organise themselves into ‘mini-brains’.
Pondering the concepts of identity and biological individuality in his 6pm talk, he delves into cell biology, embryology and humanity’s deep evolutionary past when complex creatures like us emerged from single-celled life, as he offers a new perspective on how humans think about ourselves.
“In an age when we are increasingly encouraged to regard the ‘self’ as an abstract sequence of genetic information, or as a pattern of neural activity that might be ‘downloaded’ to a computer, he returns us to the body – to flesh and blood – and anchors a conception of personhood in this unique and ephemeral mortal coil,” says the York Festival of Ideas website.
“Ball, author of How To Build A Human, brings us back to ourselves, but in doing so, challenges old preconceptions and values about life and humanity. Prepare to rethink how we exist in the world.”
After his talk, subtitled Adventures In How We Are Made And Who We Are, online festival-goers are invited to join Ball on Twitter for a live question-and-answer session at 7pm @philipcball.
Brought to you remotely by the University of York, York Festival of Ideas is full of ideas until June 14, gathering under the new umbrella of Virtual Horizons. For more details, visit yorkfestivalofideas.com/2020-online/
Did you know?
Dr Philip Ball is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
YORK Pride 2020 on June 6 is off, the annual LGBT festival
scuppered by the Coronavirus lockdown.
“Following the advice of the Government and Public Health England on mass gatherings and social events during the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, we have reluctantly taken the decision to cancel York Pride 2020,” says event director Greg Stephenson, on behalf of the committee.
“This has
been a heart-breaking call for us to make after all the work we have already
put into this year’s event. However, we would never put the health and
wellbeing of our pride-goers, volunteers, artists or traders at risk, or
stretch the resources of our emergency services at a time when they are needed
more elsewhere.”
Re-arranging the York LGBT Pride Festival 2020 has been ruled out. “York Pride takes the whole year to plan,” says Greg. “While we have been carefully considering all options, as it is unclear how long current measures will remain in place, or how the situation may develop, it is sadly impossible for us to reschedule for later this year.
“With so many uncertainties, we ultimately believe this is the
right decision to protect our long-term future.”
Instead,
the committee will concentrate all its efforts on “delivering you a truly
amazing York Pride in 2021”.
“We’d
like to say a huge thank-you to all our sponsors, stallholders and suppliers
for their support this year,” says Greg.
“Thank you to all of you too for hopefully understanding why we
have had to make this tough decision, because nobody is as disappointed as we
are. In the meantime, please let’s all look after ourselves and our community.”
CANCELLED: .“This has been a heart-breaking call for us to make after all the work we have already put into this year’s event,” says York Pride event director Greg Stephenson
York Pride will email directly
all those who have stall bookings and parade bookings and those who have agreed
sponsorship for 2020.
“Forstallholders who have not paid yet, we will simply cancel the booking for York Pride 2020 and you will need to reapply next year for York Pride 2021,” says Greg.
“For stallholders who have paid, thank you for paying your invoice; it has been much appreciated.”
Greg outlines two options for those with a stalls invoice. “Our
preferred option would be to carry your booking straight over to York Pride
2021,” he says.
“This cuts down admin work of processing refunds for our small
team of volunteers. We’d imagine this is the best option for other community
groups, charities and regular attendees at our event.
“If, later down the line you
cannot make our 2021 date, we would of course offer a full refund.”
The second option is the provision
of full refunds for those who require it. “These are difficult times and we
understand that for many of our traders you will need these funds. We’d imagine
this is the best option for food and beverage stalls who have paid larger pitch
fees.”
Whichever option is chosen, stallholders are required to fill in a form on the York Pride website, yorkpride.org.uk.
York Pride wristbands
The committee has addressed the matter of parade applicants too. “Thank you to all those who have applied to be in our 2020 parade,” says Greg. “With the emergence of Covid-19, we took the decision not to invoice at the time we normally would. Should we be in the position to cancel, it was fewer refunds for us to process.
“You will need to reapply for
York Pride 2021 when applications open later in the year.”
Greg thanked York Pride 2020’s sponsors. “We have been overwhelmed with the response. I will be contacting sponsors directly to discuss arrangements,” he says.
York Pride is making plans to re-book all acts for 2021. “We will also be making a deposit payment for those who wish to be re-booked,” says Greg. “We hope this small gesture will come in handy as many of our acts will be self-employed and suffer the most through the current situation.”
In a closing message to the
public in York Pride’s official statement on the website, Greg says: “We
have taken steps to ensure our financial risks through cancellation are
minimised.
“We have already ordered things such as York Pride 2020
wristbands. We will be looking to sell these for a suggested donation of £2 in
the coming weeks and would appreciate any support you can offer at this
difficult time. Thank you to everyone for your continued support. All the best
and keep safe.”
Best Beard Competition: men, women, children and even dogs can compete at the 2020 Jorvik Viking Festival
WHAT are the best ways to see the Vikings for free at the
2020 Jorvik Viking Festival from February 15 to 23?
Families on a budget
visiting the York festival can enjoy a taste of Viking life without breaking
the bank, say the organisers, who are providing a host of events throughout the
nine days free of charge.
Run by the
York Archaeological Trust charity, the celebration of all things Norse takes
over the city centre for the February half-term holiday.
Accessibility
and education are at the heart of the trust’s aims, prompting festival manager
Gareth Henry to explain the importance of having a mix of free and priced
events. “Sharing stories about York’s past has been a huge part of what the trust
has done over the past four decades,” he says.
“While we
have to charge to off-set the costs for some of our events, we’re always keen
to make sure there’s plenty to see and do that is completely free of charge, including
the most impressive annual parade in York.”
Eric Bloodaxe catches up on the history of the Vikings in a book-reading session
The 2020
Jorvik Viking Festival free events are:
The Viking Encampment in Parliament Street, running daily throughout the festival from 10am to 4pm. Meet re-enactors, historic interpreters and traditional craftspeople in their living history encampment at the heart of the city. Everyone has their own tale to tell, so take time to watch them working and listen to them sharing stories of their lives and wares.
Sagas on
the St Sampson’s Square Stage at regular intervals each day; times will be
published on a blackboard each day. Listen to heroes, explorers and settlers as
they relate their stories and watch them demonstrate the battle techniques that
helped to create their reputation as fearsome warriors.
Inaugural
Viking Costume Competition, open to the public to take part at St Sampson’s
Square Stage, February 15, from 3pm.The Vikings were clean, well groomed and
often well dressed as a display of wealth and status. Don’t merely watch
the Vikings strut their stuff; join in! Fashion a Viking throw or tunic
out of an old blanket, scarf or top, make a cardboard shield and, hey presto,
the Viking catwalk awaits.
The
Annual Strongest Viking Competition, St Sampson’s Square Stage, February 22,
11am. Feats of endurance and strength abound as Viking competes against Viking
to be proclaimed the strongest of York’s warriors. Choose your champion
and cheer them on.
Vikings on the march through York
The
Bloodaxe Reading Challenge. Particularly good for local children, the challenge
to read as many books as you can before the festival has been set up in
association with Explore Libraries. It gives
the chance to win tickets to meet award-winning author Hilary Robinson as she
launches her new book Jasper: Viking Dog at York Explore on February
12.
The Best
Beard Competition, St Sampson’s Square Stage, February 22, 3pm. Beards of all
description are welcome, from naturally grown to man-made, in a competition open
to men, women, children and even dogs. Free entry, plus the chance to win prizes.
March to
Coppergate, leaving from Dean’s Park, by York Minster, on February 22 at 1.30pm,
when the city streets will be filled with Vikings of all ages, social status
and profession as their war cries echo around the city centre. More than 200
Vikings are expected to march down to Coppergate, finishing at the Eye of York
in a display of costume, weaponry and Viking style.
Details
of all the events at this year’s Jorvik Viking Festival can be found at
jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk.
