Partners and sponsors

'The Times is proud and happy to support the Battle of Ideas because this conference does what it says on the tin. People come to provoke, to be provoked, to proselytize, to prosecute (ideas, not people), to promote, to prod new ideas into life, to predict, to puncture prejudice and to philosophise. Speakers are encouraged to cross intellectual frontiers and audiences are encouraged to upstage the speakers. Be warned: your mind may expand. Join the debate.'

Sheri Besford Building Design Partnership, says:

'We especially like the idea that while it is a Battle, the aim is not for one side to win but that we are all winners if we get a glimpse of another way of thinking.  Moving away from familiar and often entrenched opinions, however well-informed, and being encouraged or even caused to see another's view, explore or simply to think, must be the way of progress.  In a world where many of us just "go with the flow" we are glad and excited to be associated with an event that challenges.'

Robert Byrne media relations manager, Camelot, says:

'Camelot exists to raise funds for ideas.  More than £18.6 billion has been raised since the National Lottery was launched in 1994, and that money has been used for more than 238,000 individual awards.

Those awards help make ideas reality - from big ideas like the Eden Project and Tate Modern, to smaller ones like the refurbishment of village halls.

Millions of ideas jostle for the lottery cash that's available from the independent lottery distributers, so the Battle of Ideas feels like familiar territory for Camelot.  That's why we're delighted to be supporting this year's event.'

Nathalie Rothschild public relations officer, cScape, says:

'Last year’s Battle of Ideas festival put forward a range of forceful challenges to current conventions in the spheres of science, politics and the arts. We at cScape look forward to more of the same at this year’s event. We support the defence of experimentation as intrinsic to modern life. The past decade’s exciting developments in computing and communication technologies have transformed our everyday lives and we at cScape would like them to be put to creative ends that benefit human development. The Battle of Ideas is at the forefront of public debate in Britain and it encourages a society in which technological and scientific progress is embraced rather than frowned upon. That’s why cScape is delighted to support it for the second year running.'

Fiona Johnson director of communications, General Teaching Council for England, says:

'The General Teaching Council is vwry pleased to be supporting the 2006 Battle of Ideas. Last year, we found that the education debates were lively and stimulating, so we have come back for more. The weekend conference gives us access to a different audience, with an interesting mix of students and professionals from many backgrounds. This year's education debates, on parental involvement and on pupil voice, are hot topics and we hope they will generate both light and heat.'

Tony Matharu managing director, Grange Hotels, says:

'In a world where, despite great past sacrifices, it appears that the lessons of history have not been learned and where the views of large numbers of people are selectively ignored and/or deliberately misrepresented by our 'leaders" it is essential to the global community that innovative thinking and philosophical debate are encouraged and that this assists in stimulating change.  The Battle of Ideas provides hope and an exciting opportunity for creative thought and intelligent dialogue to replace the narrow vision and often ill-conceived self interest of those for whom political expediency dictates their thought and actions.  We have all witnessed the reactions of those who feel threatened and/or who perceive injustice. We welcome innovative thought, improved understanding and the opportunities which spring from intelligent dialogue to overcome the great challenges of our time. In an increasingly interdependent world where travel and improved communication already do much to improve our knowledge and understanding, inclusive debate and joined up creative thought can provide a catalyst for meaningful and timely change - and hope for us all.'

Pierre Magistretti vice-chairman, European Dana Alliance for the Brain, says:

'The Battle of Ideas will challenge the minds of academics and the public alike, working through concepts that we all need to get a grip on, yet so often are thwarted by lack of information.  The debates will prepare us all better by allowing an exchange of views with people who hold very different opinions.  The European Dana Alliance for the Brain is an organisation that promotes brain research through its network of leading neuroscientists participating in international programmes of public events and activities.  We are, therefore, delighted to be involved with "Human Enhancement: Creating Superhumans or Dicing with Our Destinies?"  This session will explore how we seek to improve ourselves, what is acceptable and what should be avoided.  Understanding the brain is one of the final frontiers of science and promises to help millions of people worldwide.  Manipulating brains is not new, but today's pace of science, medicine and technology produces a whole host of controversies that we must keep up with and work out how the science should be applied to best effect.  This in itself has given rise to "neuroethics": the ethics of brain research.  The Battle of Ideas is a great forum to air some of these difficult dilemmas.'

David Soskin CEO, Cheapflights.co.uk, says:

'I am delighted to be taking part in the Battle of Ideas this year - this forum gives academics and experts from business and industry the opportunity to put forward ideas and relevant evidence on many issues that affect us all - not only in this country but globally.  It is particularly important that we are not collectively pressured by single issue groups into actions whose effects, if implemented without broader debate, might precipitate knock-on harmful and wider consequences.  By debating the broader picture, we at least create the opportunity to avoid such pitfalls.'

Susan Sturrock head of communications, Royal College of Music, says:

'The Royal College of Music is delighted to be involved with the 2006 Battle of Ideas. Music is the universal voice that expresses current concerns and explores future development, a language that can both stimulate or soothe. Engaging in innovative and sometimes uncomfortable debate about arts, sciences, current affairs and politics is the lifeblood of our artform and we look forward to making a contribution to this important event.'

Tiscali says:

Monami Bose marketing manager, BT Openzone, says:

'BT is delighted to be supporting this year's Battle of Ideas.  At BT, oru focus is investigating how technology can improve the way we work, talk and play, as well as thinking imaginatively about how our future generations will communicate.  Any forum which is genuinely committed to creating new ideas and exploring innovation is something we're keen to back.'

'The Poetry Society supports the Battle of Ideas because it supports the spokespeople of the future: young minds, young poets.'

Thomas Deichmann editor, Novo magazine says:

'Novo magazine has been tackling the real issues of German politics for more than a decade. Inoffensive conformism has become the dominant feature of discussion in most Western countries. It is therefore time to open the debate and look beyond the narrow realms of national concerns - and join the Battle of Ideas in London.'

Dan Travis director, OverTheNet, says:

'OverTheNet attempts to give young children the best possible start in sport.  We believe in excellence in performance by encouraging children to aim as high as they can.  Our attempts to achieve these aims are continually hampered by a culture of limits and mean-spiritedness towards competition.  Child safety has become the priority of sports providers.  This situation leads to a climate where achievement takes a backseat to protection.  The Battle of Ideas will provide a forum to tackle the poisonous assumption that the adult-child relationship needs constant and ever expanding intervention.  Such debates will help to challenge these attitudes that act as a barrier to introducting children to all that is best about being human.'

Stuart Waiton director, Generation Youth Issues, says:

'Generation Youth Issues was set up a decade ago to campaign against the growing regulation of young people. Over the years it has become increasingly clear that the 'regulation' of everyday life is increasing, but also that the forms this takes are also expanding. From CCTV to the growing child safety industry, the public and private lives of children and teenagers are today under more intense political scrutiny than at any time.

Various critics oppose the rise of ASBO's and surveillance in society but there is a often little said about the impact of 'child safety' on young people and communities, and less still about about how to create a pro-social society. The first step must be to develop ideas that can help understand society and at the very least repose the way the social problems we all face are understood. This is how those of us at Generation see the Battle of Ideas - as a starting point for a critical debate than can question the way young people and communities are understood.'

Ceri Dingle director, WORLDwrite, says:

'WORLDwrite is excited at the prospect of another highly stimulating Battle of IDeas after last year's phenomenal event.  The chance to engage in such a high and ambitious level of debate provides a rare opportunity to critically address contemporary concerns and challenge prevailing assumptions.  We are proud to support this unique venture and look forward to consuming the brain food it provides immensely.'

Austin Williams director, The Future Cities Project, says:

'It was obvious why we wanted to sponsor a session in this year's Battle of Ideas festival and surely anyone that came to last year's event would understand. To be able to play a part in producing and sponsoring such critically important discussions in an influential event such as this is a rare opportunity. We simply jumped at the chance. It's as simple as that.'

Philip Cunliffe co-convenor, Sovereignty and its Discontents, says:

'After our successful collaboration with the Academy of Ideas at last year's Battle of Ideas, we decided that we had to be involved in this year's Battle as well.  The Battle of Ideas is simply the best place to have sophisticaed and pertinent political discussions on the key international issues of the day.'

Mick Hume editor, spiked, says: