Across three weeks, David Greig, Sara Sharaawi and 15 writers from around the world will collectively co-author a manifesto for the future. You are invited to debate their ideas and vote for your beliefs. After three weeks, a manifesto will be launched into the world: a love song to our shared humanity. This project is inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, collectively authored by representatives from all regions of the world, and part of Fly The Flag, a celebration of its 70th anniversary.

Mazin Qumsiyeh (Palestine) | 5 Aug

Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh has published over 140 scientific papers on topics ranging from cultural heritage to biodiversity to cancer. His manifesto will explore the notion that diversity is strength in human and natural societies.

Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory (Greenland) | 6 Aug

Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory is an established multi-disciplinary artist based in Iqaluit, NU whose practice centres on uaajeerneq (Greenlandic mask dance) and also includes acting, curating and drum-dancing.

Michael Morpurgo (England) | 7 Aug - Not present

Sir Michael Andrew Bridge Morpurgo is an English book author, poet, playwright, and librettist who is known best for children’s novels such as War Horse (1982). His manifesto will be performed by Lyceum Youth Theatre and will lay out a dozen rights for every child on the planet.

Robert Softley Gale (Scotland) | 8 Aug

Robert Softley Gale is Artistic Director of Birds of Paradise Theatre Company and has over twelve years of experience in diverse and varied roles – including actor and performer and advocate of equality of access to the arts. Robert will lead us to consider whether it is problematic to raise disabled children in an ableist environment

Jumoke Verissimo (Nigeria) | 9 Aug

Jumoke Verissimo is a Nigerian poet and writer based in Canada. Her manifesto will imagine a future where the borders on our maps become artistic representations of what it means to be apart.

Raja Shehadeh (Palestine) | 12 Aug

Raja Shehadeh is a writer and a lawyer who founded the pioneering Palestinian human rights organisation Al-Haq. Raja’s manifesto will seek to declare the Mediterranean Sea a Protected Zone.

Javaad Alipoor (England) | 13 Aug

Javaad Alipoor is an artist, director, writer and activist who regularly makes theatre with and for communities that don’t usually engage in the arts. His manifesto will propose we nationalize social media networks.

Timberlake Wertenbaker (US/UK) | 14 Aug

Timberlake Wertenbaker is a British-based playwright, who has written plays for the Royal Court, the Royal Shakespeare Company and is currently on commission with Shared Experience. Award winning actress Daniela Nardini (This Life, Waterloo Road, New Town) will present Timberlake's manifesto which proposes a tax on visibility.
Presented in partnership with Shared Experience.

Hananah Lavery (UK) | 15 Aug

Hannah Lavery is a writer and performer who recently showcased her work in progress Lament for Sheku Bayoh at the International Festival as part of the Call and Response series in our You Are Here season.

Amy Jephta (South Africa) | 16 Aug

Amy Jephta is a filmmaker, playwright, and academic from Cape Town. Her work has been produced in South Africa and London, and she was named as one of the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Top Young South Africans.

Maya Zbib (Lebanon) | 19 Aug

Maya Zbib is a theatre director, performer, writer and founding member of Zoukak Theatre Company. Maya leads psychosocial interventions with Zoukak in marginalized contexts in different Lebanese regions.

Ahmed El Attar| 20 Aug

Ahmed El Attar is an Egyptian independent theater director, playwright, and cultural manager. Ahmed’s manifesto will look at how close we are to World War III and possible consequences of such a catastrophic global conflict.

Si’an Chen (China) | 21 Aug

Si’an Chen (陈思安) is a playwright, theatre director, poet, short story writer and literary translator who lives and works in Beijing.

Luanda Casella (Brazil) | 22 Aug

Luanda Casella is a Brazilian writer, storyteller and performer living and working in Belgium since 2006.

Swati Simha (India) | 23 Aug

Swati is a playwright and research scholar based in New Delhi. Her manifesto will ask what it means to have human rights.