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issue 5 | June 2008 | View as a webpage |
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140 years ago, in June 1868, the organisation that was to become the Royal Commonwealth Society was founded. This year's AGM, to be held on 26 June, will celebrate this anniversary and mark the extraordinary evolution of the RCS.In May, the series on migration culminated in a productive half-day conference and an exciting range of events beckon over the coming sumer months. Find out more about what's been happening in the Public Affairs programme and look out for upcoming events in this edition of The View.Public Affairs Team |
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May Round-Up |
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Notes from a 140th anniversary event on:"The RCS, Decolonisation and the Development of the Modern Commonwealth"Debates at the Society were not always polite and genteel affairs; they were sometimes tense, highly strung and angry.(Ruth Craggs) Ruth Craggs, University of Nottingham 2008 marks the 140th anniversary of the Royal Commonwealth Society. This significant milestone is being celebrated by a range of events and projects taking place over the course of the year. These events will look not only to the past, to the remarkable evolution of the Society and its rich history, but also to the future and the role of the RCS and wider Commonwealth in years to come. Ruth Craggs's address on 'The RCS, decolonisation and the development of the modern Commonwealth', based upon her PhD research, formed part of this exploration of the Society's development to the present day. Click here for the full event write-up.
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Notes from a panel discussion on:"HIV/AIDS: The next 25 years "AIDS may not matter in parts of the world, but, my word, where it does matter, it matters so very much.(Professor Alan Whiteside) Dr Titi Banjoko, Director of Africa Recruit Professor Alan Whiteside, University of KwaZulu-Natal, author Lesley Lawson, Author of 'Side Effects: The Story of AIDS in South Africa' Followed by a reception to celebrate the launch of Alan Whiteside's 'HIV/AIDS: A very short introduction', published by Oxford University Press Dr Titi Banjoko began by introducing Alan Whiteside, a Professor of Health, Economics and HIV and a Director of the Research University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Alan Whiteside has been involved in researching the HIV/AIDS epidemic for over twenty years. In 2003, he was appointed by former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, to the Commission on HIV/AIDS and Governance in Africa; he is also an elected member of the governing Council of the International AIDS Society and represents a widely respected authority on the subject. Click here for the full event write-up.
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Notes from a half-day conference on:"Migration, Citizenship and the Commonwealth"Baroness Prashar CBE, Dr Diane Coyle Sylvie Aboa-Bradwell, Patrick Wintour Keith Vaz MP, Alache Ode Danny Sriskandarajah, Mahmud Quayum Robert Orr, Alison Harvey This half-day conference marked the culmination of the RCS series on migration. Discussion ranged widely during the course of a panel debate, keynote speech and several workshop sessions. Click here for the full event write-up. |
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Coming soon |
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Tuesday 17 June, 6pmKeynote Speech"Citizenship, Identity and Culture in Modern Britain"The Rt. Hon. Lord Goldsmith, QC
To book, email Claire Anholt, or call on 020 7766 9202. |
Thursday 26 June, 6pm140th anniversary eventRCS Annual General Meeting
All are welcome to attend an open forum session, moderated by Peter Kellner, Council member and President of YouGov, in which Baroness Usha Prashar and Sir David Green will reflect upon their respective experiences as outgoing and incoming RCS Chairmen and look to the future. A celebratory reception, with canapes, will follow the AGM. For further information and to book, email Nigel McCollum or call on 020 7766 9205. | |||
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Wednesday 2 July, 3.30-5pmStrawberries and cream tea on the terrace of the Houses of ParliamentGuest of Honour:Rt Hon Baroness Betty Boothroyd O.M.,P.C, Former Speaker of the House of Commons
Join Baroness Prashar CBE, for an afternoon of strawberries, cream and politics on the terrace of the House of Lords. The Guest of Honour will be Baroness Betty Boothroyd, the first female Speaker of the House of Commons. Special parliamentary guests from both Houses will also be present and tickets for the public galleries at 2.30pm can be arranged by prior appointment. What better way to spend a summer's afternoon as the political temperature rises, with your finger on the pulse, a cream tea and spectacular views of the Thames? For further information and to book, email the Membership department or call 020 7766 9228.
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Thursday 17 July, 6pmPanel DebateThe Chavez effect: the case of the CaribbeanChair, The Rt Hon Tony Lloyd MP, Chair All-Party Group on Venezuela, former Foreign and Commonwealth Minister Darcus Howe, Commentator and columnist for New Statesman Sir Ronald Sanders KCMG, KCN, Antigua & Barbuda Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bronwen Brown, Economist Intelligence Unit
HE Dr Samuel Moncada, Venezuelan Ambassador and former Minister of Higher Education, will also attend and speak at the event. To book, email Claire Anholt or call on 020 7766 9202. | |||
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Special Event |
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RCS International Meeting 2008'Conflict, Conquest and Migration'The next International Meeting of the branches and affiliate societies of the Royal Commonwealth Society will take place in Cyprus. The meeting is held with a multiple purpose: to strengthen the RCS's strategic development and for the sharing of ideas and best practise around RCS programmes; to encourage wider discussion of the Commonwealth and its role in the World; and to develop the RCS's international network, supporting the growth of branches and Commonwealth societies and their integration with the RCS in London as a campaigning organisation. Invitations to the meeting are extended to the RCS honorary representatives, members of all the RCS's branches, societies and associations around the world and other invited guests. If you would like to know more then please contact Nigel McCollum on 020 7766 9205. |
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 problems 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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Does British citizenship automatically denote a strong connection and commitment to the country? Does it engender a sense of belonging and membership to a community and culture within the UK? Lord Goldsmith QC, the author of the recent Citizenship Review, argues not. In this keynote address, Goldsmith, one of Britain's leading lawyers and the longest serving Labour Attorney-General, will discuss what he perceives to be a lack of coherence in the identity, rights and responsibilities of British citizens. He will explore the ways in which the meaning and significance of citizenship within modern Britain can be clarified and promoted.
140 years ago, on 26 June 1868, the body that was to become the Royal Commonwealth Society held its inaugural meeting. The AGM will mark this important anniversary. This event will also act as farewell to outgoing RCS President Chief Emeka Anyaoku and as a welcome to new RCS Chairman Sir David Green. 
Since his re-election in May 2006, controversial Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, has actively sought to sign economic trade agreements with all the Caribbean nations. Some nations, such as Dominica, have eagerly sought to benefit from the cheap oil and economic subsidies, while others, like Guyana, are more wary of the oil-rich Chavez administration. This debate will examine how Chavez has divided the political alliances in the Caribbean and the impact which this is having on Commonwealth countries in the region.