The final line up....

The schedule for the forum is now confirmed as follows. This means full scale promotion of the event can begin. Hopefully all the press we receive will be as good as this - YEP article

MONDAY - POVERTY

12.30 - Peanut Gallery - Students Vs Corporate Power - People and Planet
Hannah Greenslade and Adam Ramsey explain how Britain's largest student network People and Planet have challenged corporations that have threatened to increase poverty, human rights abuses and environmental devastation since 1969!

14.00 - Peanut Gallery - What is a social centre and how do we build one - Dr Paul Chatterton
Dr Paul Chatterton from the Autonomous Geographies project at the University of Leeds will explain what a social centre is, what role it plays and why Leeds University needs one. Our very own social centre, the Peanut Gallery, will host many of the events during the social forum but needs to be rebuilt and need you to do it!

15.00 - Peanut Gallery - The Corporation - Film Showing
Winner of 26 international awards this film promised to do to Corporations what Jaws did to sharks.

17.30 - Intro Tent - Western finance: creating poverty or solving it? - Nick Dearden Jubilee Debt Campaign, James O'nions World Development Movement and David Hall-Matthews
Nick Dearden, James O'nions and David Hall-Matthews (University of Leeds) explore how debt, trade and finance act as a means of controlling the developing world economies and creating poverty.

19.30 - Intro Tent - Open Mic Night
Bring anything you can put a mic next to and have a go!

TUESDAY – CLIMATE CHANGE

11.00 - Peanut Gallery – How to grow your own vegtables – Isabel Swift - Volunterring and Community Leeds.
The price of food, dissatisfaction with supermarkets and growing environmental concern is leading more people than ever back to the humble allotment. This practical workshop will show you how to make your own compost, grow salad leaves on your windowsill and get involved in the Oxley greenhouse project.

12.00 - Peanut Gallery - How to use the media - Jess Worth New Internationalist Editor
Using the press can be the key to a successful campaign. Co-Editor of leading independent media group New Internationalist explains how.

13.00 - Peanut Gallery - Why we need direct action to tackle climate change - Student Climate Project
The Student Climate Project is an open network of students who came together at the Heathrow Climate Camp in 2007. Their aim is simple: they want to see a mass student uprising against climate change, that is both creative and radical. If you share this aim then get involved.

15.00 - Peanut Gallery - The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil - Peak Oil film double bill part 1.
Just take a look at your energy bills, the price of oil has rocketed over the last 12 months dragging everything else with it. Can life carry on following the collapse of cheap fuel? It did in cuba. This fascinating and empowering film shows how communities pulled together, created solutions, and ultimately thrived in spite of their decreased dependence on imported energy.

17.30 - Intro Tent - What should we do about climate change? - John Battle (MP), Asad Rehman Friends of the Earth, Paul Chatterton, George Munson Climate Change Officer Leeds City Council
Paul Chatterton, George Munson and Asad Rehman discuss what to do about what the United Nations are calling the most serioius threat facing humanity

20.00 - Peanut Gallery - Rob Newman: History of Oil - Peak Oil film double bill part 2.
History of Oil: Robert Newman gets to grips with the wars and politics of the last hundred years - but rather than adhering to the history we were fed at school, this show places oil centre stage as the cause of all commotion. This innovative history programme is based around Robert Newman's hilarious stand-up act.

WEDNESDAY – STUDENT ISSUES

11.00 - Peanut Gallery - What to do about shit landlords - Landlord Action Network
Last year the Landlord Action Network (LAN) was formed to help deal with a certain Leeds landlord who withheld £80,000 from students in deposit money. If you're sick of trouble Landlords making student's life's hell then LAN is for you!

12.00 - Riley Smith Hall - Fees: Your course could cost £10,000 - Aaron Porter NUS, Neal Lawson Compass and Danny Adilypour
In 2009 the government will review the current fees system. They may decide to allow Universities to charge as much as £10,000 per year in fees and rocketing student debt to unprecedented levels. Aaron Porter (National Union of Students) Neal Lawson (Compass) and Daniel Adilypour (Education Officer LUU) will explain the problems with the current system and what we need to do to change it!

14.30 - Everywhere - Afternoon of Mass Action!
Join in the fees stunt following the talk at 12.30pm or take action on an issue that matters to you and then post pictures of what you've done on www.peanutpress.org

19.30 - Peanut Gallery - Camden 28
The Camden 28 were a group of Anti-Vietnam War student activists who in 1971 planned and executed a raid on a Camden, New Jersey draft board. The raid resulted in a high-profile trial against the activists that was seen by many as a referendum on the Vietnam War.

THURSDAY – DEMOCRACY

11.00 - Peanut Gallery - NO2ID Leeds presents: Taking Liberties
Leeds No2ID present Taking Liberties: Taking Liberties examines the government’s systematic erosion of our civil liberties since 1997 through sometimes shocking, always true, real life stories

13.00 - Peanut Gallery - What's the Point in Voting? - Debate hosted by Democ Soc
Democ Society will be teaming up with Green Action to debate the relative benefits of using voting and consensus to make decisions then go on to explore the relative manifestations of this question for the Union and wider society. This lively, informal debate is open to everyone and should provide food for thought for the main plenary session at 5.00pm.

14.30 - Peanut Gallery - John Pilger: The War on Democracy - Film Showing
The War on Democracy' was John Pilger's first major film for the cinema. Set in Latin America and the US, it explores the historic and current relationship of Washington with countries such as Venezuela, Bolivia and Chile.

17.00 - Intro Tent - Is Democracy Dead - Stephen Coleman, Ruth Kinna and Saul Newman
In 1950 83% of those eligible to do in the UK voted in the general election. By 2001 less than 60% of the population took up this constitutional right. Are people loosing faith in the system or are they just indifferent? Do we really need elected representatives and if we do, do we still trust them? Stephen Coleman (Leeds University), Saul Newman (Goldsmiths University) and Ruth Kinna (Loughborough University) will be examining these important questions and asking you to do the same.

19.00 - Old Bar - Political Pub Quiz
The classic old bar quiz has been specially adapted for the week of the social forum.

FRIDAY – HUMAN RIGHTS

11.30 – Intro Tent – Recruiters of Death: Keep the military off our campus – Revolution.
University College London were successful in banning the military from union events. Two students from UCL, key to the campaign, will be speaking about the reasons behind the recent military recruitment drive and the deceitful techniques used against working class youth as well as how we can win a similar victory for the anti-war movement at Leeds University

12.00 - Peanut Gallery - No Borders: Justice for Asylum Seekers - John Ward
John Ward from No Boarders Leeds provides an exciting and informative introduction to asylum campaigns in Leeds and how you can get involved.

13.00 - Intro Tent - Iraq: who's profiting and how can you stop them? Nadia Idle War on Want, Ewa Jasiewicz Hands Off Iraqi Oil and Matthew Waddington student activist
Nadia Idle (War on Want), Ewa Jasiewicz (Hands Off Iraqi Oil) and Matthew Waddington (Student activist) will be revealing the firms and individuals who have made spectacular profits off the carnage in Iraq, what they've done to counter this so far and how you can join them

14.30 - Peanut Gallery - The Truth isn't sexy presents: Lilya 4 ever - Film Showing
Lilya 4-Ever is an unremittingly brutal and realistic story of the downward spiral of Lilya, a girl in the former Soviet Union, whose mother abandons her to move to the United States. Based on a true story this film examines the issue of sex trafficking and sexual slavery. Jacinta Kent from The truth isn't sexy will attend to introduce the film and hold a discussion afterwards.

15.00 - Intro Tent - Creative Campaigning - Dan Jones Amnesty International
Dan Jones, creative campaigning megastar from Amnesty International shares top creative campaign tips.

20.30 - Intro Tent - Party - Throw Parties Not Punches
Leeds University Societies Amnesty International, Tibet Society, Students Against War and Palestinian Solidarity group bring you a night of heavy dubs, soulful melodies and powerful rhythms. Also featuring film showings, locally renowned cake and cultural performances. Come dance your feet off for a good cause among good people!

I WANT CHANGE

Peanut Press

LUU has helped a small group of students to set up a new website called Peanut Press. Set to launch during the LUU Social Forum, the site aims to act as an open space for independent journalism and inclusive interaction in Leeds.

Designed along the lines of existing websites such as Indymedia, the Peanut Press will use open publishing to allow all its users to produce the news collectively, rather than it being the job of a small group. By doing this it is hoped that students at Leeds will learn more from each other and many issues and discussions that were previously suppressed will become visible and available.

The Peanut Press will embrace the same values of ethical inclusively, responsibility and action as its older sister the Peanut Gallery. This means that the collective of volunteers who run the site will act as editors to remove material that compromises these values by containing personalised abuse, discrimination or hate speech.

If you would like to get more involved in helping to run the Peanut Press or would like to post your stories on the site then please email rob@peanutpress.org

And remember, “We don’t have hate the media, we can be the media”

The latest line up

With a month and a half to go, arrangements for the social forum are beginning to be finalised. This means we have times, venues and even a logo.




Monday - Poverty

12.30 - Peanut Gallery - Students Vs Corporate Power - People and Planet
14.00 - Peanut Gallery - What is a social centre and how do we build one - Dr Paul Chatterton
15.00 - Peanut Gallery - The Corporation - Film Showing
17.30 - Intro Tent - Western finance: creating poverty or solving it - Nick Dearden Jubilee Debt Campaign, James O'nions World Development Movement and David Hall-Matthews
19.30 - Intro Tent - Open Mic Night

Tuesday - Climate Change

11.00 - Peanut Gallery - Aviation, climate change and challenging airport expansion - No Leeds Bradford Airport Expansion
12.00 - Peanut Gallery - How to use the media - Jess Worth New Internationalist Editor
13.00 - Peanut Gallery - Why we need direct action to tackle climate change - Student Climate Project
15.00 - Peanut Gallery - The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil - Peak Oil film double bill part 1.
17.30 - Intro Tent - What should we do about climate change? - Asad Rehman Friends of the Earth, Paul Chatterton
20.00 - Peanut Gallery - Rob Newman: History of Oil - Peak Oil film double bill part 2.

Wednesday - Student Action

11.00 - Peanut Gallery - What to do about shit landlords - Landlord Action Network
12.00 - Riley Smith Hall - Fees: Your course could cost £10,000 - Aaron Porter NUS and Danny Adilypour
14.30 - Everywhere - Afternoon of Mass Action!
19.30 - Peanut Gallery - Camden 28

Thursday - Democracy

11.00 - Peanut Gallery - NO2ID Leeds presents: Taking Liberties
13.00 - Peanut Gallery - What's the Point in Voting? Debate hosted by Democ Soc & Green Action
14.30 - Peanut Gallery - John Pilger: The War on Democracy - Film Showing
17.00 - Intro Tent - Is Democracy Dead - Stephen Coleman, Ruth Kinna and Saul Newman
19.00 - Old Bar - Political Pub Quiz

Friday - Human Rights

12.00 - Peanut Gallery - No Borders: Justice for Asylum Seekers - John Ward
13.00 - Intro Tent - Iraq: who's profiting and how can you stop them? Nadia Idle War on Want, Ewa Jasiewicz Hands Off Iraqi Oil and Matthew Waddington
14.30 - Peanut Gallery - The Truth isn't sexy presents: Lilya 4 ever - Film Showing
15.00 - Intro Tent - Creative Campaigning - Dan Jones Amnesty International
20.30 - Intro Tent - Party - Throw Parties Not Punches

fitter, happier, more productive...

The story so far...















In March 2008, with help from Campaign & Democracy Support, a group of students at Leeds University Union (LUU) got together to create their very own social centre, now known as the Peanut Gallery.



Join the Peanut Gallery Facebook group!



Like other social centres, the Peanut Gallery provides a space to discuss ideas, plan strategic and effective actions, nurture grass-roots campaigns and promote alternative ways of living based on autonomy, solidarity and mutual aid.

Then the trouble started...

LUU finances began to look gloomy...

Leeds University couldn't help the Union.

Things were looking pretty bad.

Then, Banco Santander made an offer.

They proposed a new partnership with the University. They wanted to provide financial services to international students. So, they offered the Union a large sum of money to get a space in the Union. And guess which space they chose?

That's right - the Peanut Gallery.

A difficult decision was made.

Now, if all goes to plan Banco Santander will be moving into the space in the not too distant future...

But do not despair...

We've been offered a much better new space with:

A separate kitchen:

A separate meeting room:

A bigger cafe area with more space for computers:

The potential for a permanent cinema:

And a big storage space:

Plus, the money from Santander means there won't be LUU job cuts.

Everyone's really keen we keep a space for the Peanut Gallery in the Union, especially as the Common Place in Leeds' city centre is having problems and may have to close.

So during LUU Social Forum...

...we can rebuild the Peanut Gallery! This will be a great opportunity to introduce new students to the space, give them a sense of ownership, ensure there's enough volunteers to keep the space up and running for next year and make the new Peanut Gallery even better than the last!

Dr Paul Chatterton from the TRAPESE (Taking Radical Action through Popular Education and Sustainable Everything) collective will be running a workshop: "What is a social centre and how do you build one?" at 2pm in the new Peanut Gallery on day one of the LUU Social Forum.

So come along and get involved!