Here are some of the Consultations currently in the planning stages.
Developing Global Citizens: Is the UK Education System up to the Challenge?
It is a common place of political and pedagogic rhetoric that we need to revitalise the debate around education. The current national and, especially, global economic and geo-political challenges mean that we need to rethink urgently – and honestly and robustly – what we want to do with education in the UK. It is time to re-assert social, moral and pedagogical values in our entire educational system. This will not be simple; it will not be popular with everyone. Yet the debate must take place – and lead to change.
Extremism: What are the threats facing the UK over the next 10 years?
Since 9/11 the threat from al-Qaeda has dominated western thinking. The world has also witnessed increased violent activity from the far-right, most recently with the massacre of young people in Norway. The UK will be on full security alert for the 2012 Olympic Games. But what are the likely future threats to the UK?
Are Europeans becoming more extreme in their views and politics? If so, how is this shift manifesting itself? What types of extremist political movements will emerge in the coming years? How will we identify them? Are we ready to deal with them? What role is played by the social media in political agitation? What can we learn from the so-called Arab Spring? Are we as much at risk from the west as from the east? These are some of the questions our consultation will ask under the chairmanship of Sir David Omand, former Intelligence Co-coordinator at the Cabinet Office and currently Visiting Professor in the Department of War Studies at King's College, London.
The Future of Work
Can we predict new ways of working, driven by technology, that will emerge over the next twenty years and what will their impact be on future generations? Can we prepare for such changes or merely react to them? How is the nature of work changing?
Stable Relationships for a Stable Society?
The summer riots of 2011 have once again focussed a spotlight on family responsibility and function. Such interest is founded on the belief that stable relationships are fundamental to a stable society.
In partnership with Relate, the purpose of this consultation is to look at the question of relationships in the round, to explore the ethos, practice and place of relationships in contemporary British society.
Evidence versus Ethics – The Future of International Aid
The aid industry, the business of transferring resources from wealthy countries to poorer countries for the purposes of development, is now some sixty years old. In late November 2011, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will hold a major Aid Effectiveness summit in Korea.
From a UK perspective, the current government places much greater emphasis on evidence-based outcomes, i.e. the need to demonstrate that aid works by showing tangible results. How will this affect the way in which aid organisations operate? Hovering over all of this is the fundamental ethical question, 'Why do nations get involved in international aid?'
Human Wellbeing in the Digital Age
Mass public access to digital space has created a new social environment with enormous commercial, social and educational potential. But it also raises issues of privacy, identity, personal relationships, social engagement and justice, especially for the pre-digital generation. How can we measure the impact of internet-based communications on human wellbeing?
A Consultation on this topic will bring together technology experts, researchers, designers, academics, educators, policymakers, philosophers and others to explore the territory.
Reaching For Gold
St George's House is proud to be venue for the Grand Final of the 2012 Reaching for Gold project, now in its third year. The competition challenges young people in the South East region to develop an idea for a product, service or other initiative that will benefit specific communities. The best ideas are shortlisted and the teams are paired up with business, voluntary and community sector mentors for a once in a lifetime opportunity. For more information about the competition please click here. To view the video montage from the 2011 event please click here.
Childhood
Based on the 2009 landmark report, A Good Childhood, Searching for Values in a Competitive Age, the House is half way through a series of Consultations in partnership with the Children's Society which look at the implications of the report and explore practical approaches to bettering children's lives.
