One People Oration
The One People Oration is a lecture given each year at Westminster Abbey by a guest speaker. The intention of the series is to make people “think not only of all Christian people but of all mankind”.
The orations commenced in 1966, the 900th anniversary year of the consecration and dedication of Edward the Confessor’s original church. The phrase "One People" was coined by Edward Carpenter (then Archdeacon, later Dean of Westminster) in 1965-1966.
Past lectures
One People Oration 2023
One People Oration: Dignity and Poverty
Speaker: Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, gives this year’s One People Oration.
Saturday, 28th October 2023
One People Oration 2022
Ethical Leadership - Human Rights at the Heart of Response
Speaker: Nada Al-Nashif took up the position of UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights with the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle
Tuesday, 22nd November 2022
One People Oration 2021
Serving as a Leader?
Speaker: Dame Cressida Dick, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service with the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle
Tuesday, 16th November 2021
One People Oration 2019
Faith at the Heart of Nations? Reflections on the future of church and state
Speaker: The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster; Chair: Paul Baumann, Receiver General, Westminster Abbey
Monday, 21st October 2019
One People Oration 2018
Embracing Global Challenges
Speaker: The Rt Hon Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth; Chair: The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster
Tuesday, 16th October 2018
One People Oration 2017
The Responsibilities of Democracy
Speaker: Sir John Major; Chair: The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster
Monday, 6th November 2017
One People Oration 2016
Secret Service? National Security in an Age of Open Information
Speaker: Lord Evans of Weardale, former Head of MI5; Chair: The Very Reverend Dr John Hall
Monday, 14th November 2016
One People Oration 2014
Humanising hell - diplomacy and the search for peace
Speaker: The Rt Hon William Hague MP, First Secretary of State and Leader of the House of Commons
Thursday, 23rd October 2014
One People Oration 2011
The original worldwide web
Speaker: His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary-General
Thursday, 10th March 2011
One People Oration 2006
UN at 60+ - Will it ever Make Poverty History for the One People of the World
Speaker: Mr Tony Colman (former Chair, UK Parliament UN Group)
Wednesday, 22nd February 2006
One People Oration 2002
A City set on a Hill: The Mission of the Church in changed times
Speaker: Lord Carey of Clifton (then Archbishop of Canterbury)
Monday, 17th June 2002
One People Oration 2001
Not Saving but Drowning - Humanitarian Intervention that fails
Speaker: Mr Richard Dowden
Monday, 2nd July 2001
One People Oration 2000
Peacekeeping and modern warfare
Speaker: General Sir Michael Rose
Monday, 10th July 2000
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