Public programmes
Our twice-yearly themed programmes focus on issues related to morality in public life. These lectures, dialogues and symposia are open to the public, but priority is given to public servants.
See current programmeThe Institute
Westminster Abbey Institute works with the public service institutions around Parliament Square to revitalise moral and spiritual values in public life.
Open letters
Weekly open letters to public servants from Dr Claire Foster-Gilbert, Director of Westminster Abbey Institute.
Read the lettersLetters from Lockdown
The book Letters from Lockdown: Sustaining public service values during the Covid-19 pandemic, with five additional letters from Dr Claire Foster-Gilbert and three reflections written by Detective Chief Superintendent Treena Fleming, Dawn Butler MP and Peter Howitt, Incident Director in the Department of Health and Social Care, can now be pre-ordered.
Pre-order book
Public service seminars
We hold ‘under the radar’, tailored seminars with Government Departments, MPs and Peers, Parliamentary Select Committees, and senior staff in other public service institutions. These offer the opportunity to step back and reflect on moral challenges, relationships, values, virtues and other critical aspects of public service.
Enquire about organising a seminar
Fellows' programme
The Institute offers a year-long programme in servant leadership for up to 20 public servants, nominated from Parliament, law, teaching, police, Armed Forces, Civil Service, media, clergy, arts, science, academia and medicine, who are moving into senior roles.
About the Fellows' Programme
Institute people
Westminster Abbey Institute is run by a Steering Group, consisting of the Canon Rector of St Margaret’s as Chair, the Director of the Institute, the Canon Theologian and the Receiver General. The Director is assisted by a Manager and an Administrator. The Institute is advised by a Council of Reference chaired by the Dean of Westminster.
Find out more
Join Institute mailing list
If you want to receive updates about our upcoming public programmes, sign up for our mailing list.
SubscribeI’ve worked here for over thirty years and have seen many of the major services - it’s strange to realise that you are in a small way part of history.
