What would you put in a modern Magna Carta?
Join the only debating competition to offer the chance to see your words displayed in the United Kingdom Supreme Court.
Join us in Runnymede to draft a new Bill of Rights for the nation
Every year around 80 delegates aged between 15 and 18 from across the country gather at Royal Holloway to debate and draft a modern Magna Carta for the nation.
These Constitutional Conventions provide a unique opportunity for students to develop their evaluative and critical thinking skills, using real life historical and contemporary case studies to construct robust arguments for their debate. Students also develop leadership and collaborative skills in this process.
This unique event and location will give students a real life context in which to develop independent learning skills, along with the exciting possibility of seeing their clause exhibited in the Supreme Court.
This year the Constitutional Convention will be held on Friday 7th July in the Moore Building at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Scroll down to register your school or college to take part.
A word from one of our judges
"The Constitutional Conventions provide an important opportunity for young minds to not only engage with the important traditions embodied in Magna Carta and its legacy, but also to interact with each other and distinguished experts from the world of law and ideas, in refining their own attitudes to the importance of liberty and freedom in the modern world. It is a moment of important dialogue between the past, the present and the future."
Professor Justin Champion, President of the Historical Association
What students gain
Students will develop a wide range of skills, gain confidence in debating and have the opportunity to refine and articulate their ideas relating to a host of challenges facing modern democracies.
Students will be inspired to give further thought to their rights and responsibilities as citizens, the balance of powers within the state and to pursuing their studies further at university.
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds may be more likely to consider careers in law, politics or advocacy.
“The innovative format enables school and college students to meet each other and work together in teams to practice problem solving, oral and written advocacy, and critical thinking.”
Ben Wilson, Head of Communications, The Supreme Court
Convention Schedule
10.15-10.45: Delegates arrive and register in the Moore Building
10.45-11.15: Welcome address
11.15-12.00: Delegates prepare in small teams for debate
12.00-12.30: Morning case study debates
12.30-13.10: Break for lunch
13.10-13.30: Afternoon activity briefing
13.30-14.20: Delegates devise their clauses
14.20-15.10: Clause market place and voting
15.10-15.30: Votes counted and winning clauses announced
15.30: Delegates depart
Convention Countdown
Register for the 2017 Convention here
Call (01784) 276167 for more information
