2. Training Aims Understand risks of organising events
Chairing, facilitating and hosting
Creating and maintaining ‘safe space’
The importance of agreements
Planning events
Dealing with controversial moments

3. ‘External speaker’
An ‘external speaker’ is anyone who isn’t a student or staff member who you invite to speak at an event

4. Taking responsibility for people’s safety and well-being…
Safe Space
Taking responsibility for people’s safety and well-being…
…not about avoiding disagreement, tension of conflict but recognising people’s personal boundaries with regards safety, dignity and respect

5. Existing Agreements Equal Opportunities Policy Code of Conduct
Student Agreement
Complaints & Grievance Procedure
Freedom of Speech Statement
External Speakers Procedure

6. The Counter-Terrorism & Security Act 2015 Duties placed upon the University
“when deciding whether or not to host a particular speaker, RHEBs should consider carefully whether the views being expressed, or likely to be expressed, constitute extremist views that risk drawing people into terrorism or are shared by terrorist groups.
… should not be allowed to proceed except where RHEBs are entirely convinced that such risk can be mitigated without cancellation of the event.
This includes ensuring that, where any event is being allowed to proceed, speakers …… are challenged with opposing views as part of that same event, rather than in a separate forum.

7. Good Chairing and Facilitation
Before:
Planning the event
During:
Setting the scene – creating safe space and setting agreements
Active listening
Keeping discussion lively and productive
Dealing with difficult moments
Closing the event
After:
Debriefing
Learning from experience

8. Planning Do you know how to book a speaker?
What forms to use & where to find them?
What is the notice period?
What checks do you need to complete?

9. FXU Guest Speaker Approval Process

10. Get the Discussion going
Agree / Disagree
Using images and videos
Small group discussions

11. Managing difficult moments
React when agreements are broken
Have thinking questions ready
Name what’s happening
Protect individual participants
Separate issue and emotion

12. Closing
Feedback
“What Went Well”
“Even Better If”

13. Reflection and Evaluation
Next Steps
Amend policies & guidance (incident report)

14. Case Study
"I truly believe that terrorism – or rather the fear of terrorism - is a tool used by governments to curtail our personal and civic freedoms. Using lethal violence if necessary. It's a way of criminalising people whom they see as dangerous for holding views different from the status quo. Believe me when I tell you that this is the greatest and most subtle threat to all our freedoms and must be resisted at all costs by all means.“
Do you have concerns?
Can the event go ahead without mitigation?
What measures, if any would you put in place to enable the event to go ahead?

15. Case Study
Quote two:
"I was near that pub when that bomb went off I would not help those people dying on the ground. I know it's a gay pub and I know what these people get up to. It is disgusting in my view and shameful that we tolerate such lifestyles when family values are being eroded all around us. People don't bomb family centres do they? They bomb these dens because deep down, people know it is wrong.”
Do you have concerns?
Can the event go ahead without mitigation?
What measures, if any would you put in place to enable the event to go ahead?

16. Case Study Quote three:
"I am sincere when I tell you that it is necessary to be bold and punish the powerful who would try to oppose you. You must also punish those who do nothing to help you because they are just a guilty as the powerful. There are no innocents here. The only truly effective punishment is death. It is the only sure way to silence those who challenge you. So kill all those who would challenge you without exception, feel no remorse and do not listen to their weasel words.”
Do you have concerns?
Can the event go ahead without mitigation?
What measures, if any would you put in place to enable the event to go ahead?