About the Society

The Cambridge Union Society is more than just a private members club. Whilst we are proud of our status as one of the world's oldest and most prestigious student debating societies, we are also proud to be a registered charity. Our historic defence of free speech and ongoing belief in participatory democracy commits our members to promoting these values in the wider community - particularly in schools, universities and in local communities throughout UK and abroad. We therefore organise and participate in domestic and international debating events on a regular basis.

Our debates serve to engage and to challenge the presumptions and prejudices of a wide range of ideas, opinions and beliefs through the use of rational argument and credible intellectual exchange, and our speaker events provide a forum for young people to challenge and learn from public figures from a variety of backgrounds. We are committed to making our society as inclusive as possible: we open many events to the wider public, and our officers and members come from a diverse selection of social, political and racial backgrounds.