Discuss & Social 🍷 Mbappé, Miss Japan, Lisa: who can represent a country?

Join our open-minded, no-judgment space to learn, share, and make new friends while discussing any topic. This week:
Is Mbappé really French? Can a half-African singer represent China? A white model win Miss Japan? Or a K-pop star have Thai origins? More and more people are asking what it truly means to be "from" a country today. Is nationality just about the passport you hold, or is it deeply tied to your physical appearance? As international people living in London, we all have diverse views on home. Let's explore all angles and share our own stories about what makes us feel connected to a place, and try to find a common ground. We’ll talk about:

• The Passport vs. The Heart: If you adopt a new country's language and culture, when do you truly start to feel like a local?
• Protecting Heritage: How can countries celebrate their traditional roots while still welcoming people from different backgrounds?
• The Modern Citizen: In a world where people constantly move across borders, how should we define national identity today?

Skip the small talk and join a warm room of global minds and cosmopolitans for our weekly conversation lounge. We swap surface-level chat for meaningful perspectives on modern culture, relationships, and society. No expertise needed - just an open mind and your life experiences. Come for the perspectives. Stay for the connections.

🍸 THE VIBE

• Curated Conversations: Thoughtful, intriguing, and deep. We share more personal journeys and lived experiences, less academic point-scoring.
• Cinematic Backdrop: Hosted in the moody lounge of Curzon Aldgate, perfect for late-night drinks and cozy conversation.
• Fluid Mingling: A balance of guided group discussions and casual socializing over drinks.
• A Global Collective: Connect with international graduates, London's creatives, open-minded travelers, etc.

🕒 THE RUN SHEET

• 19:30 – 20:00 | The Warm Up: Arrive, grab a cocktail, and chat casually as everyone settles into the lounge..
• 20:00 – 21:30 | The Discussion Circles: We move into our hosted conversation circles. We shuffle groups so you meet new faces.
• 21:30 – Late | The After-Chat: The conversation continues naturally. The lounge bar stays open late for socialising and drinks.

📜 OUR DISCUSSION CODE (house rules)

1. Curiosity over judgement: We listen and ask questions to understand and learn from each other - treat every opinion like a puzzle piece and look at an issue from all angles. No need to judge the person who shared it.
2. Respect the mic: This is a shared space, not a soapboxing stage. Give everyone a chance to speak.
3. Don't take it personally: We can explore different views while remaining completely kind and respectful to the people sharing them.
4. Be Present: We put our phones away during the conversation to truly connect with the people around us.

📍 THE LOGISTICS

• Where: The Lounge Bar at Curzon Aldgate, 2 Canter Way, E1 8PS.
• Entry: Free entry. Kindly support the venue by ordering drinks or snacks at the bar throughout your stay.
• Dress Code: Smart/City Casual
• Transport: Aldgate East, Aldgate, Tower Hill/Gateway stations are all within a 5-minute walk.

🌎 ABOUT US
World Citizens is London's premier cosmopolitan collective. For over 15 years, we have curated high-vibe spaces, salon discussions, and cultural mixers for global minds, young professionals, and international expats living in the capital.

*Our other weekly events*
- Friday evening socials every week
- Cafe tour around London every Saturday
- Canary Wharf socials every other Wednesday
- Outdoor fun (hiking, kayaking, etc) every weekend
- Dining, cultural and travel activities on-demand

JOIN OUR TEAM!
We're all volunteers, so if you enjoy organizing activities or events in your spare time, while meeting great people every week, send a message to our team account "TP"!

DISCLAIMER
We are a 100% volunteer-run team. Though we have high standards in planning, this is a private informal activity so we cannot be liable for any damage or inconvenience. However, we put safety and comfort first. We take all complaints seriously, and take severe action against any harassment, verbal or non-verbal, and anti-social behaviour, towards our guests or team members. We collaborate with the police when needed. We take photos and videos which may include you to help promote the community in line with GDPR Data Protection law, as well as stock photos from Pexels or Unsplash. We may restrict or prioritize guests at our own discretion for safety, quality and logistics reasons. While our team's decisions may not be perfect we ask that you follow our decisions first and raise any disputes to discuss with us later and privately. By attending you understand, agree with and respect all terms of this disclaimer.