Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Universal Fellowship?
The Universal Fellowship is an independent, not-for-profit initiative that provides a shared space for open, respectful discussion of public ideas and social issues. Its purpose is not to enforce agreement, but to encourage understanding, thoughtful debate, and practical solutions that apply fairly to everyone, and thereby enhance social cohesion.
What does the word “Universal” mean here?
“Universal” here refers to policies and principles that apply equally to all people while recognising the shared struggles of those that are systematically disposssessed and excluded.
The Fellowship is built on the idea that fairness and social cohesion depend on rules that are consistent, transparent, and inclusive.
What is “equaliberty”?
Equaliberty is the principle that equality and liberty must grow together.
Freedom without equality becomes privilege for the few.
Equality without freedom becomes control.
A healthy society seeks to balance both
Is the Universal Fellowship a political party?
No.
The Universal Fellowship is not a political party and does not campaign for candidates. It is a forum for ideas, discussion, and policy exploration across a wide range of social and economic issues. We welcome contributions from the whole spectrum of political stances.
Who can take part in the discussions?
Anyone who is willing to engage in respectful, constructive conversation is welcome.
The Fellowship encourages a diversity of views, provided discussions remain civil and focused on ideas rather than personal attacks. or agendas.
Do I have to agree with the Fellowship’s views?
No. The Fellowship does not really want to express a ‘view’ other than a belief in Equaliberty and Universality.
Agreement with anything is not sought or required. The aim is just to create a space where people can exchange ideas openly, learn from each other, and explore solutions together.
Is there a membership?
Membership options may be offered for those wishing to support the work of the Fellowship and to participate more actively in discussions, events, or publications. This is separate from Registration which is sought for people who want to leave contributions which are published on the site. Details on membership will be provided on the site as the Fellowship develops.
Username parameters
To keep things simple, could we please keep Usernames to 6 to 20 characters long, with only the letters a to z, A to Z, the numbers 0 to 9, underscore, hyphen, and/or dot. Usernames must also start with a letter and are case insensitive. Contributions to a discussion will be attached to your username and not your first and last name. This makes it much easier for people whose employers might not like them to be seen to be making political statements; it allows anonymity for those that want it. If you wish to state your real name, you can always do see at the end of your contribution.
Length of Contributions
Whether it is making a statement in the House of Parliament, at a staff meeting, in a newspaper opinion piece or even at a chat in the pub, there are limits on space and time. You cannot hog the conversation but you need to make your point. The same applies here and so we are designing new novel ways to present both short and long contributions to the discussion. We welcome contributions of any length. For long contributions, we ask for a heading and a descriptive opening paragraph to be placed above a ‘Read More’ link.
How is the Universal Fellowship funded?
The Fellowship operates as a not-for-profit initiative.
Funding comes from voluntary contributions, memberships, and donations, which support the website, research, events, and outreach activities.
Can I contribute an article or an idea for a topic to be discussed?
Yes. Certainly.
The Fellowship welcomes thoughtful contributions that align with its principles of respectful discussion and universal fairness. Submission guidelines will be provided on the site. Contributions will be attached to your username and not your first and last name. If you wish to state your real name, you can always do see at the end of your contribution. This allows anonymity for those that want it.
Will there be events or meetings?
Yes. Possibly.
The Fellowship hosts online discussions, but, if there is demand, we would be happy to consider organising local gatherings, and small conferences where ideas explored on the site can be discussed in person.
Is the Fellowship connected to any organisation or religion?
No.
The Universal Fellowship is strictly independent and non-sectarian. It is open to people of all backgrounds and beliefs.
How can I support the Fellowship?
You can support the Fellowship by:
- Joining discussions
- Sharing articles
- Becoming a member when this is offered
- Making a donation
Helping organise local events if we start doing this.
Join the Conversation. Support the Fellowship.
The Universal Fellowship depends on the goodwill and participation of people who believe in open, respectful discussion and fair, universal policies.
You can help by becoming a member, contributing to the discussion, or making a voluntary donation to support our work.
Every contribution—of ideas, time, or resources—helps build a more inclusive and thoughtful public conversation.
Join the Conversation. Support the Fellowship.
The Universal Fellowship depends on the goodwill and participation of people who believe in open, respectful discussion and fair, universal policies.
You can help by registering, contributing to the discussion, and/or making a voluntary donation to support the work.
