The first Michael Davies Commemoration Conference took place at Royal Lancaster Grammar School on 21st October 2025. This schools debate bringing together 80 school students was a celebration and tribute to the life and work of Michael Davies, the founder of Parallel Histories.

The day kicked off with 2 lectures from Bill Rammell, Chief Executive of Parallel Histories and former Foreign Office Minister of State for the Middle East, and Jon Benjamin, former UK Ambassador to Chile, Mexico and Ghana. They debated “Who has the stronger claim to the land between the Mediterranean sea and Jordan-The Palestinians or the Israeli’s?” Bill argued from the Palestinian perspective, Jon from the Israeli. At the end of the day they switched and Bill argued from the Israeli perspective and Jon from the Palestinian. Demonstrating the power and impact of the Parallel Histories dual narrative approach.

In between the lectures, the school students debated the same debate question, again from both sides. The feedback from school students and teachers was extremely positive. Articulating how the work of Parallel Histories develops the critical thinking, oracy skills and confidence of students, and helps them develop as positive and engaged political and civic citizens.

We are planning to repeat the Michael Davies Memorial Conference in London and Liverpool in January and July 2026.

We are extremely grateful to every one of our donors who made this conference possible.