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- Events on May 1, 2013The Signal and the Noise: The Art and Science of PredictionStarts: 13:00Ends: May 1, 2013 - 14:00Location: Grimond Room, Portcullis HouseDescription: http://henryjacksonsociety.org/2013/05/01/the-signal-and-the-noise-the-art-and-science-of-prediction/
When following the current political scene, it is impossible not to be inundated with various facts and figures that often seem to be able to prove all sides of any issue even when those sides clearly conflict. Being able to distinguish the “signal” from a vast sea of noise is more difficult, and more important, than ever before.
In a world where data rules, how can we make out the true patterns and not fall prey of bias and preconception? How can we recognise reliable information? Should we trust forecasters or accept that they are just as susceptible to the pitfalls of bias as the rest of us? - Events on May 1, 2013Sorting out Transport in LondonStarts: 18:00Ends: May 1, 2013 - 19:00Location: Museum of London, EC2Y 5HNDescription: http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/sorting-out-transport-in-london
London has some major disadvantages that would make any transport policy difficult. However, even given the constraints, the current policy mix is so far away from ideal that it could be costing each household about £1,000 more than it should if transport were to be organised rationally. The lecture will give some suggestions about what could be done. - Events on May 7, 2013Launch of 'One Nation, One World' pamphletStarts: 00:00Ends: May 8, 2013 - 00:00Location: Online at http://revolutionise.itDescription: On Tuesday 7 May 2013, revolutionise.it are pleased to be launching our first pamphlet, entitled 'One Nation, One World', edited by Michael Giles. It contains 14 contributions to the policy debate, including from Pamela Nash MP.
- Events on May 7, 2013The Bankers’ New Clothes: What’s Wrong with Banking and What to Do about ItStarts: 13:00Ends: May 7, 2013 - 14:00Location: Committee Room 15, House of CommonsDescription: http://henryjacksonsociety.org/2013/05/07/the-bankers-new-clothes-whats-wrong-with-banking-and-what-to-do-about-it/
Chairman of the US Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, Phil Angelides, has described how, “More than four years after the financial meltdown devastated the economy, our banking system remains resistant to reform and riddled with risk.” More critical voices have pointed to the continuing self-interest of banking executives and the cognitive capture of politicians who remain enthralled by the financial economy and thus unable to advance meaningful reforms.
Is it possible to have a safer and healthier banking system without sacrificing lending or economic growth? Many claim it is not. However, in her new book The Bankers’ New Clothes: What’s Wrong with Banking and What to Do about It, Anat Admati examines the narratives used by bankers, politicians and regulators to rationalize the lack of banking reform, and reveals the distortion of the economy and the unnecessary public risk caused when weak regulation and ineffective enforcement allow excessive risk to build up within the financial system. - Events on May 7, 2013Deaf Awareness Session (drop-in)Starts: 13:00Ends: May 7, 2013 - 17:00Location: Attlee Suite, Portcullis HouseDescription: Jake Berry MP will host a Deaf Awareness Session
on behalf of HearFirst and SignHealth
Tuesday 7th May 2013
Attlee Suite, Portcullis House
1pm until 5pm
Participate in an individual 10 minute deaf awareness session
to understand the impact of deafness and improve your communication skills
Pop along on the day or to book a slot please call
Julie Ryder at HearFirst
01706 872 816
julie@hearfirst.org.uk - Events on May 8, 2013Regulation at home, but not abroadStarts: 18:00Ends: May 8, 2013 - 19:00Location: LondonDescription: In December 2012 Sir Geoffrey Nice will have finished four years as Vice Chair of the Bar Standards Board, the body that regulates barristers. After forty years in practice as a barrister, that included seven years working as an employed barrister in the UN, he will describe the differences between practice in a regulated legal community and practice in the UN system that operates with little effective regulation apart from what national systems impose on individual prosecution and defence lawyers. He will also review what he learnt as a regulator from looking critically at the Bar of England and Wales. The Bar of England and Wales and the country’s legal system as a whole proudly assert that they are the best in the world. Are these claims justified? If so, why was legislation thought to be necessary to regulate them more closely, and was that legislation wise?
Can advantages that may exist in a national legal system – such as that of England and Wales – be introduced into international systems where lawyers from many countries and with different legal cultural backgrounds work together?
http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/regulation-at-home-but-not-abroad - Events on May 9, 2013Transnational Threats in a Fragile Region: Terrorism, Drugs and Crime in West AfricaStarts: 13:00Ends: May 9, 2013 - 14:00Location: Committee Room 5, House of CommonsDescription: http://henryjacksonsociety.org/2013/05/09/transnational-threats-in-a-fragile-region-terrorism-drugs-and-crime-in-west-africa/
In the last weeks and months, West Africa has become a prominent feature on news programmes and political leaders’ agenda’s alike. As the events in Algeria and Mali unfolded, an intense discussion over possible responses from the international community ensued and military action has now been taken. What, however, is the root cause of the recent crises in the region?
A source of many of the world’s rarest commodities, West Africa’s recent history is one of upbeat optimism as it shows impressive economic growth. However, a darker side of the story has also made itself known; weak institutions and crippling poverty have allowed West Africa to make itself a name as a channel for human and arms trafficking, diamond smuggling, and narcotics trade. With the world’s highest population growth taking place in West Africa, these trades boom as unemployed and undereducated young men are pushed towards criminal activities to make a living. These socioeconomic and demographic characteristics beg the question if military intervention in countries like Mali is enough to guard against further escalation of political instability. - Events on May 9, 2013Public Bill SeminarStarts: 14:00Ends: May 9, 2013 - 16:00Location: London SW1H 9NHDescription: http://www.parliament.uk/outreach
Parliament formally opens for its 2013-2014 session with the Queen’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament on 8 May. The speech will set out the Government’s proposals for new laws to be examined by Parliament in the new session.
Come to a free Public Bill seminar (Thursday 9 May 2013, 2pm – 4pm) focusing on the legislative process for new laws proposed in the Queen’s Speech and hear from senior experts from the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Find out:
· how a Bill becomes an Act, from draft to Royal Assent
· how MPs and Lords scrutinise and challenge legislation
· how you can submit evidence to Public Bill Committees and engage with MPs and Lords on legislation
· how to access expert Parliamentary research and track the progress of Bills online
The seminar is designed to help you engage with legislative scrutiny and provide you with information on how to get involved in the legislative process.
Location
This event will be taking place at Central Hall, (Methodist Central Hall) around the corner from the Houses of Parliament, across Parliament Square
· Directions for Central Hall, Westminster
How to book
To register for this event please click on the link below and complete the registration form:
· Register for Public Bill seminar - 9 May 2013
Further information
Public Bill workshops and seminars: http://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/outreach-and-training/public-bill-workshops/
Houses of Parliament Outreach Service | 020 7219 1650 | http://www.parliament.uk/outreach | parliamentaryoutreach@parliament.uk |@UKParlOutreach - Events on May 13, 2013Snapshot on UnemploymentStarts: 12:30Ends: May 13, 2013 - 13:30Location: Manchester M3 3ERDescription: http://www.phm.org.uk/whatson/snapshot-on-unemployment/
Did you know that the People's History Museum holds an archive of over 80,000 photographs? Go behind the scenes and delve into their unique photo collections, the Labour Party photograph collection and the Communist Party of Great Britain photograph collection.
In this lunchtime drop-in session, browse through photographs on the theme of unemployment and uncover history through the lens. - Events on May 14, 2013Warrior Geeks: How 21st Century Technology is Changing the Way We Fight and Think About WarStarts: 13:00Ends: May 14, 2013 - 14:00Location: Committee Room 12, House of CommonsDescription: http://henryjacksonsociety.org/2013/05/14/warrior-geeks-how-21st-century-technology-is-changing-the-way-we-fight-and-think-about-war/
Technological advances are significantly changing warfare in the 21st century. Huge progress has been made in the area of robotics where unmanned aerial vehicles (or drones) can loiter over suspects and perform targeted killings. Unarmed drones have also been developed to gather intelligence; the UN Security Council recently approved the use of such technology in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo for the purpose of surveillance. Robots are being deployed on the ground; the US military, for example, have used unmanned ground vehicles to successfully dispose of thousands of roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan. 3D simulations have been designed to prepare soldiers for frontline battle and extensive research is being conducted to explore new ways of assessing and improving troop performance by monitoring brain activity.
It seems that we have reached an irreversible turning point in the history of military technology. But do we properly understand the significance of the changes that are occurring? And what ethical issues arise from these changes?