Lunch 1: 16 March 2014. Topics for discussion

The guests for 16 March have been confirmed. I have never met any of them before.

From what I know about them from their submissions, they're an interesting and varied bunch from a spectrum of socio-economic backgrounds and working across a wide range of sectors. As I mentioned in my earlier post, there has been a large majority of submissions from women, so this cohort is all female. Ages vary from late twenties to late forties. I *think* from the information submitted that there is a range of ethnicities.

Each guest has submitted their chosen topics for discussion. I've edited them slightly for sense in the context of this list but otherwise have reproduced them as directly as possible from each guest's submission.

They are:

1. In light of the massive inbalance between rich and poor in the UK, at what point does someone become a criminal?
2. How do people find deeper connection or fulfillment in their lives - something that isn't transitory?
3. What makes us radically different from someone else? Are our internal fears/hopes/needs fundamentally the same?
4. Education - is there a more natural form? A different way of doing things, that is scalable and practical?

Already, the process is throwing up some ways that I can improve it - especially in terms of the spectrum of who asks to attend. If the project is to work then it's vital that each Sunday Lunch event is filled by people with as different life experiences as possible. 

I'll continue to post the details of the project across a range of networks - please do let me know if there's a network or group you think I should get in touch with. I'm also planning a wider spread leafleting campaign in an attempt to reach people not directly involved in organised groups or networks already.

I've had an amazing response to my call out for guests for the project. People from all sorts of backgrounds and different walks of life, which is exactly what I hoped for, but an interesting thing has happened- so far everyone who has emailed me asking to come along is female.

Lots of men have expressed interest via twitter but none have committed to getting involved just yet.

I'm not sure if it's just that women are more predisposed to do this sort of thing or maybe there's something in my blog that puts men off.

I can't believe that only women think the world could be better and I really don't want to buy into the gender stereotypes that say men don't talk.

So what could it be?

Anyway, if you're a bloke and have been toying with the idea of signing up - please go for it!

Wowsers!

So about six hours ago I shared the details of the Sunday Lunch project on twitter and Facebook and the response has been overwhelming.

Lots of folk are applying to attend and it's already looking like there'll be Sunday Lunch Project events in Warwick, Leeds and Bristol. Watch this space!

I'm a bit gobsmacked that so many people have got excited by the idea so quickly. But very pleased!