BACKGROUND
The Westminster eForum aims to provide the premier environment for policy makers in Parliament, Whitehall and government agencies to engage with key stakeholders. These include education professionals, parents and learners, industry representatives and their advisors, interest groups, local authorities, the voluntary sector and academia, along with members of the reporting press.
In planning its programme of events, the Forum consults parliamentarians, senior departmental officials, regulators, industry representatives and major interest groups.
The Westminster eForum is completely impartial and has no policy agenda of its own. While we are grateful for the support and advice on themes that we receive from sponsors, all editorial decisions remain with the Forum in order to maintain impartiality.
The Westminster eForum strives to be as inclusive, encompassing and relevant as possible. This is achieved through a standard practice of questions and comments from the floor at all sessions and through a degree of flexibility in the planning and scheduling of events, which enables current and newly emerging issues to be reflected and discussed.
The Forum never excludes individuals on the basis of ability to pay, although in order to continue our work, we rely on everybody who is able to contribute doing so. Concessionary and complimentary tickets are reserved for organisations and individuals who could not otherwise afford to attend, such as small charities and unfunded academics. Parliamentarians and their pass-holding staff, central government officials and the reporting press are also offered complimentary places. Teaching staff enjoy a special reduced rate at all events. Commercial concerns, trade associations, interest groups and larger organisations with charitable status are not normally offered concessions.
EVENTS
A full listing of the confirmed events can be found on the 'Planned Events' page.
The Westminster eForum is seeking sponsors for some of these events and publications. The earlier arrangements are made, the greater the consultation with such sponsors about the format and focus of the events, speakers etc.
Also, the Westminster eForum expects to mount further timely seminars at short notice in response to issues as they arise. We are also seeking support or ideas for other seminars which may be of interest. If you have issues to suggest that you feel are suitable to Forums we will be happy to consider them.
Please contact Peter van Gelder 01276 489144 pvg@westminstereforum.co.uk
PUBLICATIONS
Each Westminster eForum event has a publication associated with it, providing an important extra output from the seminars. It is distributed to all interested government ministers, parliamentarians, senior officials at the OFCOM, DBERR and other government departments and policy advisors, whether or not they were able to attend.
The publication includes all the available speeches made on the day, and delegates can submit articles for publication at no extra cost. Further copies are made available to the press and generally for sale.
More details can be found on the 'Publications' page.