http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/rss/2 This feed contains all new content added to the Chatham House website - news, events and publications. http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/640/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/640/ This is a summary of a speech given by Dr David Woodruff, London School of Economics, at an event held at Chatham House on 24 June 2008. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:19:22 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/639/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/639/ When Europe's Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) became effective nearly a decade ago, the euro was seen as having the potential to be the second pillar of the international monetary system. It was expected to share leadership in monetary affairs with the United States. Ten years later, however, the story looks quite different. Although the euro has firmly established itself as an international currency, the degree of change has been considerably less than expected. Europe's joint money remains at a distinct disadvantage in relation to America's greenback, limiting the role it can play in global monetary governance. The euro is not yet ready for 'prime time' and can at best play only a subordinate role to the dollar in the global system. This can be described as a one-and-a-half currency system - certainly not a two-pillar world. The problem lies in the governance structure of EMU. Because the euro is a currency without a country, based on an inter-state agreement, participating members find it difficult to speak with a single voice. The solution lies in a reform of EMU's governing rules and institutions that would put greater emphasis on the euro's external dimension. On the one hand this calls for more proactive management of the currency's exchange rate by the European Central Bank (ECB), together with an explicit commitment by the Eurogroup -the euro zone's informal committee of finance ministers - to undertake effective coordination of national fiscal policies. On the other hand it means designating a single representative of EMU with real authority to speak on behalf of members in international councils. Unless the euro zone can learn how to project power more successfully than it has until now, dual leadership of monetary affairs at the global level will remain out of reach. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:43:10 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/638/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/638/ The paper focuses on the connections between: depletion policy including the willingness of some key petroleum-exporting countries to expand production in the medium to long term; development policies linked to depletion, especially the difficulties of diversifying sources of income to replace revenue from petroleum as production ceases to grow, or declines, as a result of natural resource depletion or lack of markets; the creation, use and management of sovereign 'heritage' or 'stabilization' funds by many petroleum-exporting countries which are earning more petroleum revenue than they consider it prudent or possible to spend or invest in development of the non-petroleum sectors of their economies. More about the Research Depletion, Dependence and Development project >> Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:25:33 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/637/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/637/ In an important shift, inspired partly by drift in the Doha Round negotiations, the EU announced in 2006 that it would seek new free trade area arrangements with fast-growing economies, particularly in Asia. The plan, which ended a moratorium on the launch of bilateral trade talks, in place since 1996, was billed explicitly as a contribution to the EU's own growth and jobs strategy as well as a market-opening exercise. However, the policy has so far been no more effective than multilateral negotiations in producing concrete results. Negotiations with South Korea and ASEAN have made only slow progress, while the state of talks with India remains unclear. The EU spent most of 2007 renegotiating long-standing agreements with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries in an effort to satisfy WTO rules. Meanwhile, the EU's partnership agreements with China and Russia have expired, and appropriate successor arrangements are still being sought. In both cases, a number of important bilateral problems and strains will need to be dealt with. With its various trade negotiations treading water, the EU may need to review its options. One could be a more aggressive pursuit of market access, modelled on the US approach. Alternatively, the EU's traditional preference for multilateral engagement may reassert itself. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:36:45 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/636/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/636/ This is a transcript of Itsunori Onoderaat. The conference, entitled 'Japan-African Engagement: The Outcomes of TICAD IV and the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit Agenda', was held at Chatham House on 24 June 2008. Event details and presentations. Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:06:22 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/456/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/456/ As President Sarkozy prepares to reinvigorate the regional arrangement between the EU and the Mediterranean - the Barcelona Process - Claire Spencer argues in Europe and the Mediterranean: Eyeing Other Shores, that the project is flawed having failed 'to escape its underlying logic: that it is a European initiative'. As such, the process has been designed to meet Europe's own regional objectives rather than foster cooperation and integration. It is not clear why there is a need for another regional Mediterranean Partnership. The slow results of existing efforts suggest the current framework could be part of the problem as much as the solution. And yet, President Sarkozy has gone to great lengths in promoting his new framework for regional cooperation, soon to be adopted by the EU. With France leading the union's initial launch and project selection, there are grave suspicions that it will be used to advance French commercial interests under an EU umbrella. To survive, the scheme must be flexible and new mechanisms will be needed to overcome the deficiencies of the Barcelona Process itself, as well as its new addition. It must be visible through the direct engagement of those most immediately motivated by shared interests on both sides of the Mediterranean. More about The World Today >> Full list of contents: European Union Treaty: Trust the PeopleRobin Shepherd Ireland No Vote: Ways Out of the Irish Puzzle Thomas Legge Europe and the Mediterranean: Eyeing Other Shores Claire Spencer South Africa: Fundamental Failures Merle Lipton Book Review: Good for Government Alex Vines Small Arms: Gun Control Eric Berman The Gulf in the G8 Agenda: Top Table Time? Vanessa Rossi and Ruth Davis Saudi Arabia's Foreign Policy: Discreet Persuasion Neil Partrick Energy for Asia: Chasing Pipe Dreams Elizabeth Mills Burma after the Cyclone: Making a Disaster Out of a Cyclone Ashley South Analysing North Korea: Big Wheel Turning Rudiger Frank Profile - Sir Richard Dearlove: Overestimating Al Qaeda?Sean Armstrong Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:44:40 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/635/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/635/ This research report forms part of the Civil Society and Environmental Governance in China Project at Chatham House. Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:36:27 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/882/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/882/ 12:30, 3rd July 2008 - This is a Middle East Programme roundtable event. Mr Yaakov Hadas is Deputy Director General of the Middle East and Peace Process Division in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Prior to his appointment to this post in 2006, Mr Hadas was Israeli Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. In his presentation, Mr Hadas will discuss Israel's relations with the Arab world. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD UNDER THE CHATHAM HOUSE RULE. Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:10:32 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/455/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/455/ A new report from Chatham House examines the prospects for the GCC (Gulf) states' economies and the potential development of the region as a Global Financial Centre (GFC) over the next decade. 'The Gulf as a Global Financial Centre: Growing Opportunities and International Influence' concludes that the Gulf's global economic status is impressive, underpinning significant growth in the financial sector and potentially the rise of the GCC as a top rank global financial centre. In principle, the GCC could overtake both Australia and a weakened Japan in the IFC rankings over the next decade. Economic growth and wealth creation will continue to provide the big punch behind the GCC 'brand' - regional GDP will comfortably exceed the $1 trillion mark in 2008, moving the GCC further up the top 10 in terms global GDP rankings. However, appropriate recognition of this status is needed in order to support the GCC's aspirations in global finance: remarkably for economies of such high standing, they are typically still treated as 'developing countries' in spite of GDP/capita being well above emerging market levels, even excluding the energy sector. None of these countries has joined the OECD and there is notably no representation at the world's top table, the G8 summits. However, the continued development of the region's economic and financial power suggests an urgent need for the GCC's position to be reviewed by all parties and new channels of communications, discussion and influence to be opened up. This review should also acknowledge the importance of Gulf finance and the aspirations for development of the region's financial sectors. The GCC is well positioned to act as a key hub in global financial markets, serving the wider Asia-MENA region. To enable the GCC to leverage its position, an important development would be the creation of a larger, deeper debt market, whether based on Western-style bonds or the Sharia model, building on the region's strength in Islamic finance. This implies a radical departure for the GCC in terms of the role played by government debt and project finance, its potential in promulgating local market activity and broadening the base of the financial sector. If successful, this move could open up a much larger role for the GCC in global debt markets, especially across the Middle East and Asia. This would provide a massive 'hinterland' within which the GCC's financial sector could expand and fulfil the target of becoming a GFC. It would also help the global community to meet the task of coping with the surge in "new wealth", reducing global asset imbalances. GCC cooperation will be essential in achieving these goals and a positive step in this direction is the recently confirmed plan to set up a common Monetary Council by next year, another step towards a common currency. Notes to Editors: 'The Gulf as a Global Financial Centre: Growing Opportunities and International Influence' is published by Chatham House at 14:00 on Thursday 26 June 2008. The author is Vanessa Rossi, Senior Research Fellow, Chatham House. Chatham House undertook this study in conjunction with the leading financial centres in the Gulf region, namely Bahrain, Dubai and Qatar. The project forms part of the cooperation effort across these centres and reflects their joint efforts to foster further progress in the area of finance and development. The views expressed in this report remain those of the Chatham House authors. For further information, please contact: Press Office Direct: +44 (0) 20 7957 5739 ENDS Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:16:34 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1790/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1790/ Sean Armstrong interviews former Chief of MI6, Sir Richard Dearlove. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:48:23 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1789/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1789/ More than a year has passed since North Korea promised to end its nuclear activities as part of the threestage process. The cycle of missed deadlines and disagreements - the latest in a failure to detail these activities by the end of last year - sounds familiar. But how are we to understand this secretive land and make sense of the predictions about it? Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:46:18 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1788/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1788/ The death and destruction in Burma as a result of Cyclone Nargis may yet come close to the Asian Tsunami in impact: some 120,000 dead and 2.5 million needing help now, compared to 190,000 deaths and three million displaced in 2004. The level of devastation might have been less in Burma, but for the government's decision to control the international response. The impact of this on the global policy community, and the country's fractured opposition, has been extensive. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:44:41 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1787/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1787/ Oil people call them pipe dreams: plans to transport energy across vast distances to places where it is needed most. That need is clear in Pakistan and India, but can the obstacles be overcome at this time of high prices, to turn the recurring dreams into reality? Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:43:13 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1786/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1786/ Saudi Arabia's foreign policy rests on contradictory pillars. It asserts Islamic and Arab credentials, while standing beside the United States; backing regional compromise, but conceding little to Iranian interests. The recent ebb and flow of forces in Lebanon underlines the complexities. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:41:17 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1785/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1785/ Where is the G8 invitation for the Gulf? There was a moment when Russia had to fight for a place at the table with leading industrial nations, especially in the crisis-ridden 1990s. How times change. Rising oil prices helped the world's second largest oil producer recapture power and influence in both business and political circles - including the power to change the G7 into G8. Then came a top table welcome for China and others. But what about the world's tenth biggest economy, home to the largest sovereign wealth funds and in control of more than a third of global oil and gas? Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:39:28 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1784/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1784/ The land mines treaty of 1997 and the recent agreement to get rid of cluster munitions have outlawed whole categories of weapons. Small arms present an equally dangerous, but much more complex, problem. The United Nations will target it again this month. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:37:26 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1783/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1783/ Alex Vines reviews the African Peer Review Mechanism report. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:35:19 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1782/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1782/ Power cuts have become almost routine, attacks on refugees from Zimbabwe and elsewhere have left dozens dead and hundreds injured, and the man most likely to become president faces corruption charges. These dramatic upheavals are symptoms of South Africa's failure to confront its long-term problems. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:33:30 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1781/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1781/ Ahead of the French holiday rush for relaxation in warm waters, President Nicolas Sarkozy has flung himself into the Mediterranean policy pool. Not content with existing arrangements, plans and processes for dealing with those on the other shore, the President has built his very own scheme, now adopted by the European Union. But the tides have not been altogether kind. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:31:09 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1780/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1780/ Thomas Legge discusses Ireland's referendum outcome and where the country can go from here. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:29:20 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1779/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/twt/archive/view/-/id/1779/ Irish voters have decided the European Union Lisbon Treaty is dead. Three years ago the French rejected its predecessor, the Union constitution. Ironically, it is now up to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who takes over the rotating presidency, to rescue Europe. This is only possible by focussing firmly on democratic consent. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:27:40 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/634/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/634/ This is a summary of the International Law Discussion Group held on 12 June 2008 at Chatham House. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:35:47 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/633/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/633/ This report examines the prospects for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies and the potential development of the region as a Global Financial Centre (GFC) over the next decade, focusing primarily on the economic underpinning, current standing of the financial sector and the region's potential to overcome existing weaknesses in terms of product offering and the scale of operations. More about this project - A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Area. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:06:50 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/632/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/632/ At the beginning of the Oslo Process the greatest challenge was the question of Palestinian statehood; negotiation of the refugee issue was postponed until the later stages. Over a decade later, Palestinian statehood is generally accepted as a given, and the refugee issue has taken centre stage. The Israeli perspective, from a leadership standpoint, is seemingly characterized by a sense of being overwhelmed, owing to the complexity of elements making up the refugee issue, the multiplicity of actors involved, and a heightened sense of uncertainty as to the consequences of any negotiated settlement. More strategic work is needed at the political and policy-making level to determine the resolution level required for the agreement itself. Much of the detail involved will have to be developed outside the main negotiation framework. More research and strategy development work is needed concerning the Israeli public domain, to assess existing attitudes and possible avenues for widening the public discourse. To this end, the Israeli media should also be encouraged to present the different debates and elements of the issue. There is a need for an international task force of leading experts working alongside the negotiation process and translating both sides' strategic options into operational frameworks. Such support could ease the load on the actual negotiating parties, thereby facilitating the decision-making process. Read more about this project at Chatham House - The Regional Dimension of the Palestinian Refugee Issue. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:27:34 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/631/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/631/ The question of Palestinian refugees has long been one of the most difficult issues in dispute in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. With the onset of renewed peace talks following the Annapolis summit of November 2007, it is once again an issue that the Israeli and Palestinian negotiators must address. The two sides are in a worse position to resolve the issue than they were during the last rounds of permanent status negotiations in 2000-01. The political weakness of the Israeli and Palestinian governments is compounded by heightened mistrust between the two societies, as well as by a hardening of Israeli public attitudes against even the symbolic return of any refugees to Israeli territory. There is now a substantial accumulated body of work on the Palestinian refugee issue to guide and inform negotiators and policy-makers. This includes past official negotiations among the key parties, wider discussions among regional states and the international donor community, unofficial and Track II initiatives and a considerable body of technical analysis. Read more about this project at Chatham House - The Regional Dimension of the Palestinian Refugee Issue. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:24:12 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/454/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/454/ A WorldPublicOpinion.org poll of 17 nations around the world finds a widespread perception that widows and divorced women are treated worse than other women. In only two countries do a majority say that there is no discrimination against widows and in only one country does a majority say there is no discrimination against divorced women. In 12 of the 17 nations polled, about 4 in 10 perceive there is some or a great deal of discrimination against widows. The same is true for discrimination against divorced women. On average across all 17 nations, just 28 percent say there is no discrimination against widows at all, while 20 percent say there is a little, 27 percent some, and 16 percent a great deal. Similarly, for divorced women, an average of 27 percent say there is no discrimination, 21 percent say a little, 28 percent some, and 18 percent a great deal. "Discrimination against widows and divorced women appears to be a phenomenon of many countries, not just some traditional cultures," says Steven Kull, director of WorldPublicOpinion.org. "People in most countries, including developed ones, recognize there is at least some discrimination." Poorer treatment may take a variety of forms. In less developed countries, women's rights and development experts have long noted that wherever the wife has trouble securing her property rights after her husband's death, the widow and her children can become impoverished-in extreme cases by being stripped of her land or goods and expelled from the household. Divorce laws that do not recognize the wife's labor as constituting an economic stake in the household can have the same result. In developed countries, since women live longer, gaps in a country's social safety net are more likely to affect women. In the United States, for example, poverty rates for widows and divorced or separated women are far above the average. Steven Kull adds, "While there have been no large-scale studies quantifying the scope of discrimination against widows and divorced women, the thousands of respondents in the poll report that the problem is quite widespread." The poll is being released in advance of International Widows Day (June 23). This year is also the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that: "Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as…sex," and goes on to say that "men and women…are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution." Interviews with 17,595 respondents were conducted in 17 nations representing 59 percent of the world's population. This includes most of the largest countries in the world-China, India, the United States, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Russia-as well as Mexico, Britain, France, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, the Palestinian Territories, Thailand and South Korea. Margins of error range from +/-2 to 4 percent. The survey was fielded between Jan 10 and May 6. More details can be found at: www.WorldPublicOpinion.org. Contact Steven Kull: +1 202 232 7500 Chatham House Press Office: +44 (0) 20 7957 5739 pressoffice@chathamhouse.org.uk Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:36:29 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/453/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/news/view/-/id/453/ The conflicts and humanitarian disasters from Sudan to Somalia are closely linked and a failure to understand this is undermining efforts to find peace, says a new report by Chatham House. The report is a study of three peace processes in the region dealing with the conflicts in Somalia and Sudan and between Ethiopia and Eritrea. It shows how each of these different conflicts feed into each other and exacerbate conflicts in other countries. The report argues that including the Horn of Africa in the 'war on terror' has only exacerbated the situation and has polarized parties along religious lines. It finds no positive signs that the enmity between Ethiopia and Eritrea will soon come to an end and sees a particularly bleak future for Somalia which now faces a worse humanitarian situation than before the Ethiopian intervention, while the Somali Transitional Federal Government has been quite unable to establish its authority in the country. The report finds some positive signs in the Sudanese Comprehensive Peace Agreement but highlights the many stumbling blocks that need to be avoided. The lack of understanding around the historical background of conflicts in the Horn of Africa has hampered comprehensive solutions to conflicts and undermined international efforts. In the long run the report argues that growing economic interdependence is likely to offer the best route to a peaceful future for the region. Note to Editors: 'Lost Opportunities in the Horn of Africa: How Conflicts Connect and Peace Agreements Unravel' is written by Sally Healy OBE, Associate Fellow, Africa Programme, Chatham House. The report is a product of the Horn of Africa Group, a collaboration between Chatham House, The Centre for African Studies at the University of London, the Rift Valley Institute and the Royal African Society. Interview bids: Sally Healy is based in London and available for interview. Contact: +44 (0)7952 592492 Email Sally Healy For further information please contact: Press Office Direct: +44 (0) 20 7957 5739 ENDS Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:13:26 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/630/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/publications/papers/view/-/id/630/ The conflicts and humanitarian disasters from Sudan to Somalia are closely linked and a failure to understand this is undermining efforts to find peace, says a new report by Chatham House. The report is a study of three peace processes in the region dealing with the conflicts in Somalia and Sudan and between Ethiopia and Eritrea. It shows how each of these different conflicts feed into each other and exacerbate conflicts in other countries. Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:53:16 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/881/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/881/ 16:30, 10th July 2008 - Six months after the parliamentary election, Pakistan remains in the grip of political uncertainty, convulsed by a severe economic crisis and on-going militant violence. Differences within the ruling coalition over the reinstatement of the judges dismissed last year and the future of President Musharraf have aggravated the sense of drift. Were the expectations of a 'return' to democracy misplaced, and if so, what now for a state whose stability is widely judged to be vital to global security? E-TICKETS (WITH DIRECTIONS) WILL BE SENT ON TUESDAY 8 JULY AND MUST BE PRESENTED ON ARRIVAL Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:29:57 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/879/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/879/ 18:00, 3rd July 2008 - Author and Foreign Correspondent of the Year, Christina Lamb, will discuss her experiences in journalism over the last twenty years. During this period, she has covered conflicts from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, interviewed world leaders, and been witness to pivotal events in recent history. Her most recent book Small Wars Permitting: Dispatches from Foreign Lands is a collection of her reporting over the past two decades. Please allow enough time to clear security at Portcullis House. Also, please note that there will not be a reception beforehand and that the meeting will begin promptly at 19.00. About the Under 35s Forum. Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:55:09 +0100