Hands Up is teaming up with 5x15 to Talk about Syria
With David Nott in conversation with Rosie Boycott, Paul Conroy, Michael Morpurgo & Rim Turkmani.
Syria has all but disappeared from our headlines, but it is a conversation we must continue to have and one which must be heard. The conflict, which has shattered the lives of millions over the last eight and a half years, has been described as one of the worst humanitarian crises the world has seen. The number of deaths, injuries, refugees and internally displaced continues to grow as some of the most vicious fighting takes place in the North West of the country. 5x15 is an event were story tellers come together to share their experiences and knowledge to further our own knowledge and understanding.
David Nott, a British Consultant Surgeon has worked extensively in Syria on the front line, volunteering his time with charities such as Médecins Sans Frontières and Syria Relief. With his wife, Elly, he established the David Nott Foundation in 2015 to further the teachingand practice of humanitarian surgery. His acclaimed memoir, War Doctor was published in February 2019, and signed copies will be available to buy on the night.
Paul Conroy lived through the siege of Baba Amr, Homs in 2012, during which, the Journalist Marie Colvin - his friend and colleague - was killed. He is a war photographer and journalist and his book Under the Wire is now an award-winning documentary.
Michael Morpurgo is the award-winning author of War Horse, and a suite of other works. He has written about the suffering of war from the Somme to Syria as "the same madness.” His latest book is Boy Giant: Son of Gulliver, and signed copies will be available to buy on the night.
Dr Rim Turkmani is a Research Fellow at the Conflict and Civil Society Research Unit in the Department of International Development at the London School of Economics and Political Science. An astrophysicist by training, she is a member of the Women's Advisory Board to the UN special envoy to Syria.
Dr Turkmani takes the results of her research to policy making
Rosie Boycott is a journalist, author, and food campaigner, not to mention one of the founders of 5x15. She is a member of the House of Lords, and will lead the conversation with David Nott on the night.
George Butler is an award-winning artist and illustrator and has spent time working in Syria. He is also a Trustee of the Hands Up Foundation and will chair the discussions on the night.
