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issue 1 | february 2008 | View as a webpage |
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Public Affairs is the flagship programme of the RCS, keeping a keen eye on emerging international and Commonwealth issues. The programme includes series of themed public debates and conferences which attract a wide range of expert speakers and distinguished audiences.The RCS now welcomes you to the first edition of The View. This newsletter will provide analysis of recent events and alert you to forthcoming highlights in the calendar. This is also your chance to feedback, get involved and influence the future direction of the Public Affairs programme.Public Affairs Team |
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January Round-Up |
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notes from a keynote address:"People on the Move: More Different, More Unequal?"The second event in the RCS series on Migration saw Trevor Phillips OBE deliver a fascinating keynote address in which he explored some of the current social challenges posed by the increasing movement of people around the globe. Phillips, Chairman of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights, drew on his own experiences of life in one of the Commonwealth’s wealthiest countries – the UK – and in one of its poorest – Guyana – to illustrate the shared values which, he believes, continue to unite the people of the Commonwealth. This set of values, including a belief in the liberal democratic state in which individual freedom is guaranteed and individual achievement rewarded, and a tolerance which transcends racial, ethnic and religious difference, is nowhere “more deeply embedded than in those (countries) which share the historical inheritance defined today by the Commonwealth”. It is to these values which, Phillips proposed, our society must now turn. Click here for the full event write-up or to download the transcript of Trevor Phillip's speech. |
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notes from a panel debate on:"Cuba, Change and the Commonwealth Caribbean"A large and distinguished audience of diplomats, business leaders and academics gathered for this panel debate. The topic at hand was Cuba’s past and present economic, political and cultural relationship with the countries of the Commonwealth Caribbean and with the rest of the world. David Ridgway, former British Ambassador to Cuba, chaired the event, commenting on the uniqueness of its thematic focus and the expertise of its speakers. The Chair opened the meeting by sharing some of his own experiences in Havana as Ambassador, recalling the past relationship between Cuba and the UK as “fruitful and pragmatic”. He reminded those present of the recently celebrated 35th anniversary marking the beginning of diplomatic relations between Cuba and its independent Caribbean neighbours; and spoke briefly of the ongoing embargo imposed upon Cuba by the US which, he proposed, would surely be central to the evening’s debate. Click here for the full event write-up.
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Events |
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tuesday 26 february, 6pmpanel debate"Holding Human Rights Hostage: the Role of the Commonwealth in Protecting its Citizens"Moazzam Begg, former Guantanamo bay detainee and author of Enemy Combatant: the Terrifying True Story of a Briton in Guantanamo Victoria Brittain, journalist and author of the play ‘Guantanamo’ Chair: Dr Karen Brewer, Secretary General, Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association Is the capacity of Commonwealth countries to act strongly on human rights held hostage by their reciprocal partnership with other countries? Are the human rights of citizens given added protection by their country’s membership of the Commonwealth or is it an irrelevance? Does the Commonwealth do enough to call to account those members who persistently violate democratic principles and human rights? The panel will explore these questions and more, addressing the issues of hostages, illegal detention and deportation and what action the Commonwealth can take to protect its citizens’ human rights within the current political climate. This lecture forms part of the RCS's on-going series on migration. For further information, contact Devapriyo Das, 020 7766 9202. |
wednesday 12 march, 1pm-5pm (lunch from 12.15pm) at the house of commonslobbying parliament on the commonwealth"Making an Impact: The Commonwealth in Parliament and in the Constituencies"
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wednesday 12 march, 12pmroundtable discussion with david suzuki"Growing up Green: Practical Action to Combat Climate Change"David Suzuki, co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation Jointly organised with the Commonwealth Foundation and the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council. By private invitation only.
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wednesday 12 march, 6pm at the london school of economics11th commonwealth lecture by david suzuki"The Challenges of the 21st Century: Setting the Real Bottom Line"Continuing the theme of Commonwealth week, “The The Commonwealth Lecture is delivered annually and is For further information and to book, contact Joanna Stephenson, 020 7766 9230. |
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Promotions |
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not a member yet?If you enjoy keeping in touch through the public affairs events and are not already a member of the RCS, you may be interested to join and receive the following benefits and services:
As a regular attendee at Public Affairs events you can receive 30% off the entrance fee if you join before March 31, 2008. For further information please contact the membership team: |
All feedback welcomePlease let us know if you have found the information in this Public Affairs Round-Up helpful/ interesting. Is there anything else you would like to see included? What did you like/dislike? Did you have any issues opening the email? All feedback is welcome via email at joanna.stephenson@rcsint.org or by calling 020 7766 9230. If you would prefer not to receive this communication again, please reply to this email with the word unsubscribe in the title.
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