Press release

Vivienne Westwood and Caroline Lucas to headline Friends of the Earth open day

27 August 2012

Legendary fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, Britain's first Green MP Caroline Lucas and renowned international campaigner, Lidy Nacpil from Jubilee South, are just a few of the stellar speakers appearing at Friends of the Earth's first open day taking place on Saturday, 15 September 2012 at Imperial College London. 

This unique event is part of Friends of the Earth's annual three day conference, and for the first time, the charity is holding a public event on the Saturday.  With an inspiring range of activities, workshops and seminars, visitors can expect to hear from a number of fascinating speakers debating environmental topics, and learn about practical and fun ways to save the planet. 

While headline speaker Vivienne Westwood is one of the most influential fashion designers in the world, she is also passionate about social and environmental change.  In 2005 and 2006, she unveiled her cultural Manifesto called "Active Resistance to Propaganda" and she is the patron of anti-torture charity Reprieve and is part of an on-going collaboration with eco charity Cool Earth.

There are over 30 sessions on the day, including a behind-the-scenes account of global campaigning at the recent Rio negotiations, a talk on how art can inspire environmental change, and debate about how a fairer economy is vital for a healthy planet.  In the practical workshops visitors can find out about the art of 'upcycling', how to install solar panels and how to campaign for change in their own local area.

Alongside the headline speakers, there are guest presenters including Liz Jensen (Author of 'The Rapture and 'The Uninvited'), Fiona Reynolds (Chief Executive of the National Trust), Alan Simpson (Energy Advisor and former MP), and Charles Secrett (former Director of Friends of the Earth).

The three headline speakers will close the day's sessions and workshops and this will be followed by an exclusive performance by poets John Hegley and Danny Chivers, and a party with Secret Garden Party DJs.

Friends of the Earth's Executive Director, Andy Atkins, said: "This is an ideal event for anyone who has an interest in our beautiful planet and ways that we can work together to protect it.  We've always offered a thought-provoking and motivating programme of activities at our conference, so we felt that this year we should share it with a bigger audience.  It will be a chance to hear debates on some of the biggest issues we face and practical solutions to tackle them - in short, expect to be informed, challenged and inspired in equal measure."

Find out about programme information and how to buy tickets.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Speaker biographies

Caroline Lucas
Caroline Lucas is the UK's first Green MP. She previously served as an MEP and a local councillor. She is a passionate campaigner on the environment, social justice and human rights, and was voted the UK's Most Ethical Politician in 2007, 2009 and 2010 by Observer readers.

Caroline continues to be an active campaigner on a range of issues and is Vice President of the RSPCA; a CND National Council Member; a Director of the International Forum on Globalization; and a Matron of the Women's Environmental Network.

Lidy Nacpil
Lidy Nacpil is the co-ordinator of Jubilee South Asia, vice president of the Freedom from Debt Coalition in the Philippines, a prominent feminist, a leader of the campaign for the payment of climate/ecological debt and one of the most visible leaders of the social movements in Asia. In her former role as International Coordinator of Jubilee South, she was key to the 2005 Make Poverty History mobilisation. Prior to that, Lidy was a student activist during the time of the Marcos dictatorship in the Philippines.

Satish Kumar
Satish Kumar is Britain's longest serving editor of Resurgence magazine, having held the post since 1973. As well as being a long-term peace and environment activist, he is the founder of the Schumacher College.
His autobiography, No Destination, was first published in 1978 and has sold over 50,000 copies. He has been a guest on a range of programmes including Desert Island Discs, Thought for the Day and Midweek.

Polly Higgins
Polly Higgins is an environmental lawyer, campaigner and author who advanced to the United Nations the proposal for Ecocide to be made a crime, the 5th Crime Against Peace, to sit alongside Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity, War Crimes and Crimes of Aggression.
Polly has been voted by the Ecologist as one of the "Worlds Top 10 Visionary Thinkers,", named "The Planet's Lawyer" by the 2010 Performance Awards and hailed by The Guardian as one of their Green Heroes working for the right kind of environmental change.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust