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A video of this event is now available. 


Are religions a drag on development, or do they enable change from below and endow it with legitimacy? Are secular agencies able to be more even-handed and universal in provision, or are they out of step with a post-colonial, ‘post-secular’ age?

These are some of the questions that will be addressed at the panel event taking place at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), London. The panel will be chaired by the Rt Hon Charles Clarke and Professor Linda Woodhead, and it will feature Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, Robert Calderisi, Dr Elena Fiddian-Qasmiyeh and Loretta Minghella as panellists.

The Westminster Faith Debates are organised by Charles Clarke and Linda Woodhead, and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Lancaster University. They take place in central London every spring, and are open to the public free of charge, bringing together leading academics and public figures to debate the latest research on religion and values.

For further details and to register for a free place, visit the event page or telephone Peta Ainsworth (+44 (0)1524 510826) with the name, institution (if applicable) and email address of each person you wish to register. Please also let Peta know which category you come under, eg Academic, Policy, FBO/voluntary organisation, religious group, media or other.

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A celebration of the life of David Turton

Saturday, 20 July 2024, 2pm to 3pm @ The Crypt Cafe, St Peters Church, Northchurch Terrace, London N1 4DA