A Message from Chairman Dr. Quinn Peeper 

Dear ESU Friends,

The disturbing events of last week compelled me to write this letter to express my deep concern, felt for some time now, at the general loss of civility and tolerance in our society. In moments like these, when our nation feels most divided, I am reminded how much the world needs the English-Speaking Union and the mission we serve.

Since its founding more than a century ago, the English-Speaking Union has been dedicated to promoting understanding, tolerance, and respectful communication. Our founder, Sir Evelyn Wrench, firmly believed that “given the opportunity to know one another personally, people who shared a common language would soon discover that they also shared similar values, whatever their differences in nationality or background.” His words remind us that dialogue and empathy – powerful forces against violence – lie at the very heart of our mission, shaping our programs and guiding how we foster understanding across differences.

This is evident in our Middle School Debate program, where students at a formative age learn how to engage opposing views with civility and calmness. The program equips young people with not only the skills to speak persuasively but also the wisdom to listen carefully and respond thoughtfully. It is also central to our international student and teacher exchange programs and scholarships, which broaden perspectives and build personal connections across cultures. And it fuels the International Public Speaking Competition, hosted by our sister organization, the ESU of the Commonwealth, in London every summer, which brings together students from more than 40 countries around the world, for a week of cultural exchange and public speaking contests.

James Raven, former Chairman of the ESU of the Commonwealth, put it eloquently in a recent interview: “The real challenge now, particularly for young people, is not just to have the confidence and ability to communicate but to be able to understand how you agree to disagree and how you come to a common understanding.” He also reminded us that “the ESU’s competitions and programs help young people to engage with the world and to understand other points of view. The ESU is an educational charity that sets out to transform lives and that transformation is about giving people an opportunity to think for themselves, to explore the world through communication.”

This is the essence of the English-Speaking Union: connecting people, bridging divides and fostering goodwill and understanding through the English language. At a time when the need for civility and tolerance has never been greater, the ESU stands proudly as a community dedicated to dialogue, mutual respect, and the building of a more inclusive world.

I invite you to join us in this mission. Whether as a member, a supporter, or a volunteer, your involvement helps sustain programs that equip new generations with the tools to communicate across differences and to discover the shared values that unite us all. Together, we can ensure that the ESU remains a force for understanding and peace in our world.

With gratitude and conviction,

Dr. Quinn Peeper
Chairman
The English-Speaking Union