Joining us for a debate
All are welcome to attend our meetings free-of-charge, and no pre-registration is required – simply turn up on the evening. Guests are encouraged to speak and are also very welcome simply to observe, we have many first-time speakers and no prior experience is required. See the details of future debates at right, or below for mobile viewers, under Upcoming Events.
Date and time
The Sylvans typically hold a meeting on the first Monday of each month, excepting when the first Monday is a bank holiday, when it occurs a week later. Then two weeks later we typically hold a rapid debate event. Please see the details of upcoming debates at right, or below for mobile viewers. Please arrive at 6:45 for a 7pm start of the debate.
Venue
Our debates are typically held at Ye Olde Cock Tavern, 22 Fleet Street in their upstairs room, the Gin Bar on the second floor. The nearest Tube stations are Blackfriars, Temple and Chancery Lane. To confirm the venue location, please see upcoming events.
Our main debates offer a hybrid-online approach for those who cannot attend in person. To gain access to the debates, please either join our email list or contact us directly via our contact form.
Meeting and debate format
The Sylvans employ a traditional motion-based debating format, along the lines of the Oxford and Cambridge Unions. Each debate meeting is opened by two main speakers on each side of the argument (the Proposer and Opposer) followed by audience speeches ‘from the floor’.
Everyone is then welcome to speak for up to five minutes each. Afterwards, the main speakers each have a right of reply. We then take a vote to determine the outcome of the debate – everyone in attendance can vote.
Topics for discussion
The Sylvans debate topical issues of public and political life. For recent debate topics, click here. For a list of past Sylvan motions since 1999, please click here.
All are welcome
Everyone is welcome to attend Sylvan debates. We encourage people of all backgrounds and viewpoints to participate in our free-speech forum. The more diverse the knowledge, opinions and viewpoints of a debate meeting, the greater the collective wisdom we generate. This leads to informed votes on the key questions facing our society today!
Membership
For information about becoming a member of Sylvans, please click here.