The York Dialectic Union - previously known as the York Union - is the University of York’s union debating society. Originally founded in 2013, the Union is affiliated with the University of York Students' Union and membership is limited to students at the University. It hosts distinguished speakers and debates on a regular basis as well as social events and formal dinners for its members.
 | |
| Formation | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Adam Seldon and Harry Lambert (2013)[1] Findlay Milne, Adam Moses, Josef Bräutigam, Cameron Bennett, and Henry Howard (2023)[2] |
| Type | University debating union |
| Headquarters | Berrick Saul Building, University of York |
President | Dominic Williams, James College |
History
editThe original York Union arose from a branch of Nouse Events (founded 2012), affiliated to the University’s venerable student paper Nouse. At this time, debates and addresses were not attended by a wide range of students, and thus a separate organisation was created with a purpose of publicising and hosting these events. This ultimately led to the founding of an independent society in the traditions of similar institutions at other universities, the York Union, in 2013.[3] The Union’s original founders were students Adam Seldon and Harry Lambert.
The Union was negatively affected by COVID-19. Due to safety restrictions, attendance and popularity decreased, with events ending in 2022.[4] Following the end of the pandemic, the union was reaffiliated with YUSU before the start of Autumn Term in 2023.[4][5] From this point onwards, the society has been known as the York Dialectic Union. The principal founders of the second incarnation were students Findlay Milne, Adam Moses, Josef Bräutigam, Cameron Bennett, and Henry Howard.
Its first President under the new banner was Findlay Milne, elected in Spring 2023. During his presidency, the Union began by hosting a soldier recently returned from the Ukrainian front.[citation needed] The second President was Adam Moses. Speakers during this term included former drug kingpin Shaun Atwood, ex-jihadist Manwar Ali,[6][7] SDP leader William Clouston, Labour Party MP Rachel Maskell and former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn[7]
The YDU’s third Co-Presidents were Cameron Bennett and Josef Bräutigam.[citation needed] During their tenure, the Union featured YouTuber PoliticsJoe and LGBT rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.[citation needed] Spring Term debates featured Lord Peter Lilley, Morning Star editor Ben Chacko, and Graham Smith, CEO of Republic.[citation needed]
The fourth Union President was Alexandra Brates, whose term included Darren Hughes, Managing Director of the Electoral Reform Society.[citation needed], then-Deputy Leader of Reform UK Ben Habib and Nick Newman, former head of Homeland Security Consulting.[citation needed] The Union hosted Thomas Harrison, Keeper of Greece and Rome at the British Museum[8] as well as a debate on the controversies surrounding Just Stop Oil.[citation needed] Brates’ presidency also included the North Yorkshire Mayoral Hustings on the 18th of April, at which the Union hosted the mayoral candidates for the 2024 York and North Yorkshire mayoral election.[citation needed]
The fifth President, Dominic Williams, was elected in April 2024 to begin in Autumn term. Speakers during Williams’ presidency included Peter Hitchens, entrepreneur Liz Earle,[citation needed] former ambassador to Iran, Nicholas Hopton,[citation needed] ex-Green Party Leader Baroness Natalie Bennett,[citation needed] psychologist Neill Bartlett,[citation needed] and author Clare Mulley.[citation needed]
List of Presidents of the York Dialectic Union
edit- Findlay Milne: Spring 2023
- Adam Moses: Autumn 2023
- Cameron Bennett and Josef Braeutigam: Spring 2024
- Alexandra Brates: Summer 2024
- Dominic Williams: Autumn 2024
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "York Union enjoys success". University of York. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ Brates, Alexandra. "President's Welcome". York Dialectic Term Card. No. 3. p. 3.
- ^ "York Union enjoys success". University of York. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ a b Warner, Emily (24 October 2023). "York Dialectic Union: An Interview with the President". MUSE. Archived from the original on 26 February 2024.
- ^ Best, Dominic (14 October 2023). "Debating how to Spend a Friday Night". York Vision. Archived from the original on 10 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ Couture, Daisy (14 October 2023). "'For a long time, I lived for death': York Dialectic Union Hosts Ex-Jihadist Speaker". Nouse. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ a b Beattie-Zarb, Kaitlyn; Shaw, Eleanor (13 December 2023). "Jeremy Corbyn Takes the Stage at the University of York". York Vision. Archived from the original on 30 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ Morris, Ellen (4 May 2024). "Should Museum Artefacts Always Be Returned to Their Country of Origin?". Nouse. Retrieved 11 August 2024.