http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/rss/3 This feed contains all new events added to the Chatham House website. http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1668/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1668/ 09:00, 10th September 2010 - This talk will highlight the complex relationship that the countries of the South Caucasus have to great and regional powers, with a special emphasis on Russia, the United States and European countries. Drawing on extensive public opinion research over the last few years, Hans Gutbrod will say that Armenians, Azerbaijanis and Georgians have developed nuanced attitudes towards their neighbours and other powers, mirroring the course of their governments in many respects, but not all. The data suggests that Europe continues to exert the greatest appeal, even if this has limited impact on foreign policy orientation. Russia struggles to exert soft power, as trends also show that Russian will increasingly be displaced as the lingua franca of the region, although it retains popularity in Armenia. Attitudes towards the United States vary strongly, with Azerbaijanis absorbing critical attitudes through the Turkish media. The region, often treated as a whole, thus continues to show diverse patterns of preference, and soft power will play a significant role in shaping its future development. Attendance is by invitation only. For more information please contact Alex Nice. Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:14:43 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/conferences/view/-/id/173/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/conferences/view/-/id/173/ 00:00, 18th November 2010 - Global Futures: The Annual Members' Conference Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:16:07 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1666/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1666/ 12:30, 21st September 2010 - Iraq's healthcare system has endured great challenges over the past three decades due to multiple wars, sanctions and military occupation leading to massive destruction of its infrastructure. Currently, the Iraqi people suffer from limited access to quality health services and a poor public health system, driving some of the worst healthcare indicators in the Middle East. The speaker will argue that while many obvious road blocks hinder the reconstruction of the Iraqi healthcare system, it is the more subtle challenges that represent the greatest threat to reconstruction. The speaker will discuss how the current and future Iraqi leadership must be fully aware of the understated and less apparent challenges in order to succeed with their long term strategic health plans. Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:33:13 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1665/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1665/ 18:00, 7th September 2010 - Eddie Mair chairs a BBC debate on the progress of the conflict in Afghanistan. Some expert observers say 'It's over; the Taliban have won the war'; others believe neither side can win. Yet all agree that the coalition's work in the country is not going well and that the end must be in sight. Panellists include Peter W Galbraith and Lieutenant General Sir Graeme Lamb, former senior advisor to US General McChrystal. Active audience participation will be encouraged. This event will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 at 8pm on Wednesday 8 September This event is open to non-members. Registration is essential. AS THIS MEETING IS BEING RECORDED. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DOORS TO THE JOSEPH GAGGERO HALL WILL BE CLOSED PROMPTLY AT 18.50. ENTRY IS NOT GUARANTEED FOR LATECOMERS AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO LEAVE THE HALL FOR THE DURATION OF THE RECORDING. Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:25:59 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1664/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1664/ 14:00, 2nd September 2010 - The speaker will discuss the latest developments in Russia's energy policy and their impact on European energy security. How do commercial and political interests interact in Russian internal and external energy policy, and what does this tell us about the reliability of Russia as an energy supplier? Looking more broadly, the speaker will also consider Russia's capacity to honour energy supply contracts and maintain output levels as it seeks to develop new oil and gas fields. Dr Andrei Belyi is a lecturer at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow and holds a doctorate from the Free University of Brussels. He has written widely on Russia's energy policies and European energy security. Attendance is by invitation only. For more information please contact Alex Nice. Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:09:20 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1663/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1663/ 13:00, 13th September 2010 - This half-day seminar will examine the discursive and analytical practices which underpin Western policy towards Central Asia. The event will consist of two sessions. In session one, Nick Megoran and John Heathershaw will discuss a recent paper arguing that representations of Central Asia in the West are dominated by 'discourses of danger' which (mis)represent the region as inherently dangerous, unstable and obscure. The second session, addressed by Madeleine Reeves, will look more concretely at recent events in Kyrgyzstan and the West's response. It is intended that this discussion will provide a test case for the thesis put forward in the first panel, raising the question: 'Is Western policy towards Central Asia flawed, and if so, how can policy-makers improve their understanding and approach?' Attendance is by invitation only. For more information please contact Alex Nice. Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:25:58 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1662/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1662/ 07:00, 21st September 2010 - Can the "Shale Gas Revolution" continue in the USA and be replicated elsewhere? The speaker will propose that if so, consumers can look forward to large quantities of cheap gas. If not, the market could face serious shortages in ten years or so. In this high-stakes scenario, the speaker will evaluate the potential of Shale Gas to transform the global energy market. This event is strictly by invitation only. To enable as open a debate as possible, this event will be held under the Chatham House Rule. About Nominees Breakfast Briefings >> For more information please contact Medha Basu. Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:10:28 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1660/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1660/ 07:30, 7th September 2010 - This seminar, held jointly between the Asia Programme at Chatham House and the Institute for National Policy Research, Taiwan, will examine the peace initiatives between China and Taiwan and the implications this will have for security in East Asia. The past year has seen rapid changes in the security environment of the Asia Pacific. The relationship between China and Taiwan, in particular, has continued to improve with the completion of twelve cross-strait agreements, as well as the conclusion of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement. The peace initiatives between China and Taiwan will have significant implications not only for the security of the Asia-Pacific region but for Taiwan's economic, domestic and foreign affairs as well. This event is being held as part of the 'Dialogue between the Asia-Pacific Security Forum and the UK Parliament'. The event is off the record. For more information please contact the Asia Programme. Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:56:40 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1659/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1659/ 10:00, 6th September 2010 - The election of Viktor Yanukovych as President in February 2010 and the appointment of a new cabinet have led to a re-orientation in Ukraine's foreign policy course. The new President has stated that integration with the European Union is a key priority. However, the new government has also sought to improve relations with Russia via new agreements on gas and an extension of Russia's lease of the base for its Black Sea Fleet in Crimea. The speaker will discuss the foreign policy priorities of the new Ukrainian administration amidst contending interests to the country's East and West. Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:36:27 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1658/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1658/ 11:30, 1st September 2010 - THIS EVENT IS FULL AND REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED. As plans progress to reintegrate opposition fighters and reconcile with insurgent groups in Afghanistan, the speaker will share her assessment of the ongoing conflict, its resolution, and the risks for women. She will draw upon her experiences speaking with women in de facto Taliban controlled areas, as well as women leaders in Kabul. For more information please contact Rosheen Kabraji. Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:51:07 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/conferences/view/-/id/172/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/conferences/view/-/id/172/ 00:00, 24th January 2011 - Collaboration, Coordination and Competition in Defence Acquisition Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:35:47 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1657/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1657/ 09:00, 30th September 2010 - This will be the final event of Phase II in the Procurement for Development Forum meeting series, organized by Chatham House and DFID. The goals of this meeting are to outline the business case for investing in gender equality and women's empowerment and to identify the mechanisms and recommend strategies for integration of these principles into policies and practices. In many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, women make up 60-70% of agricultural employment. Commonly, women are also responsible for subsistence production and livestock care, roles that are unpaid but critical to household survival. Despite the importance of women to agricultural production, however, they are often excluded from the more profitable parts of the value chain, instead remaining associated with labour intensive, low value added activities. This exclusion is largely due to gender based divisions of labour and unequal access to assets such as land and services such as credit and technical training. As a result, women have limited capacity to take advantage of opportunities provided by agricultural value chains, thereby reducing the productivity and performance of the economy as a whole. Attendance is by invitation event. For more information please contact Catherine Pazderka. More information on the Procurement for Development Forum >> Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:05:32 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1656/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1656/ 08:30, 8th March 2010 - This is the first event is the series on The Security and Defence of the UK. It will examine the political, diplomatic and strategic context in which security and defence policy must be planned and made. How will the international environment develop for the medium-term (i.e. 10-15 years) and where and how will UK interests be engaged? What are the likely risks, challenges, threats and conflict-types that the UK will confront in this period? How should these be prioritised and what additional resources (i.e. partnerships and alliances) might the UK be able to draw upon in preparing to meet these challenges? Attendance is by invitation only. For more information please contact Claire Yorke. Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:30:39 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1655/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1655/ 07:00, 9th September 2010 - Sir Sherard served as British Ambassador in Kabul for nearly two years in 2007-09, and since then as the Foreign Secretary's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. He will offer a personal analysis of the challenges we face in Afghanistan, and the responses most likely to be followed and to succeed. This event is strictly by invitation only. To enable as open a debate as possible, this event will be held under the Chatham House Rule. For more information please contact Medha Basu. Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:06:54 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1654/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1654/ 07:30, 20th September 2010 - As part of the Debate Series on 'The Security and Defence of the United Kingdom', this event will discuss potential policy and organisational responses. In the first session, participants will look at private sector approaches to risk, examining different perceptions of risk as well as management styles, mitigation strategies and organisational responses. What can government learn from the private sector? The second session will provide a more detailed assessment of the modalities and benefits of public-private partnerships in risk; looking at how government departments, industry and civil society can work together more effectively to mitigate and respond to risk. What are the obstacles to better risk management? And how can policy be adapted? This event is held in collaboration with Ernst & Young. Attendance is by invitation only. For more information please contact Claire Yorke. This event was originally scheduled for 22 June 2010. Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:19:32 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/conferences/view/-/id/171/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/conferences/view/-/id/171/ 00:00, 31st January 2011 - Investment Prospects Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:36:41 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1653/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1653/ 08:00, 2nd September 2010 - At this seminar, the International Security Programme, in conjunction with la Fondation pour la Recherche Strategique (FRS), will examine common perspectives on Anglo-French defence cooperation. Over the course of four sessions participants will examine potential avenues for defence cooperation and whether it could make a vital contribution to the defence capabilities of both countries at a time of financial constraint and reductions in defence budgets. Discussion will focus on the following areas: Reassessing national defence postures in light of the financial crisis: does it bring new possibilities for Anglo-French cooperation? With budgetary restrictions on national defence budgets in the UK and France, can the consequences of these restrictions be alleviated by developing synergies between the two countries in defence? In which areas might such synergies be viable? Cooperation within NATO and the adoption of the next Strategic Concept Anglo-French relations do not work in isolation and participants will look at how both countries work within the broader context and their respective positions with regards to the development of NATO. Is there a common vision for how NATO should develop and is there a platform from which to promote the Strategic Concept? How could Anglo-French defence cooperation complement the objectives of the Alliance? Should Paris and London be a driving force for European defence? Although European defence is becoming less of an explicit priority for the member state governments in the European Union, can the same be said for the French and British Governments? Why is there seen to be a need for European defence cooperation? How does this fit into Britain and France's national defence priorities? Cooperation on major defence projects: Is it possible? Reductions in national military budgets makes it necessary to look for potential areas of cooperation among the main defence projects, but what are the requisite conditions in London and Paris if both countries are to continue in this direction? Attendance is by invitation only. For more information please contact Claire Yorke. Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:31:01 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1652/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1652/ 16:00, 15th September 2010 - This event will mark the publication of Case Studies of Muslim Networks and Movements in Western Europe, published by The Pew Research Centre's Forum on Religion and Public Life. The report examines several of the most influential formal and informal Muslim groups operating in Western Europe today, many of which are virtually unknown to non-Muslims. It details their different religious agendas and their diverse views on Islamic law and education. It also contextualizes the behavior of these groups within the phenomena of Muslim assimilation into European society and the reactions such groups elicit from European governments. Other sections examine the relationships between the groups themselves and the future challenges posed to these groups by the generational shifts in their leadership and membership. The findings of this report will be used as a platform for extended discussion of Muslim communities in Europe today, including attitudes on social integration and radicalisation. Attendance is by invitation only. For more information please contact the Middle East and North Africa Programme >> Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:21:45 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1651/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1651/ 14:30, 5th August 2010 - THIS EVENT IS FULL AND REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED. International attitudes towards Rwanda have begun to shift in recent years. Earlier hailed as a development success story there are now concerns about democratic slippage: the run up to the country's 9 August presidential elections has been marred by imprisonments and attacks on opposition and independent media. Yet Rwanda has been effective in the past at courting international partners and has had a key role to play in the fate of its region. At this event Rwanda's Foreign Minister will discuss the direction of Rwanda's democracy and political development and the role it plays in the region and broader international relations. For more information please contact Tighisti Amare. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:48:38 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1649/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1649/ 16:00, 4th August 2010 - THIS EVENT IS FULL AND REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED. Somaliland has achieved a peaceful transfer of power from President Riyale to President Silanyo following its June elections, which were declared free and fair by observers. This is remarkable in a region known for conflict and where elections are often questioned by observers. Michael Walls, who was a key member of the international election observation team, will discuss what the result means for Somaliland's developing democracy and international standing. For more information please contact Tighisti Amare. Read Another Successful Elecion in Somaliland >> Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:02:55 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1648/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1648/ 15:00, 22nd September 2010 - THIS EVENT IS FULL AND REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED. The discussion will draw upon the speaker's latest book, The Economy of China, which argues that institutional reforms - formal and informal - have underpinned much of China's remarkable growth in the past 30 years. She will analyse the post-crisis world economy and why China must undertake further institutional development in order to maintain its growth, which has beneficial effects in helping to rebalance the unsustainable global macroeconomy. For more information please contact the Asia Programme. Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:31:55 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1647/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1647/ 23:00, 24th August 2010 - This event will disseminate the lessons from the project 'Promoting Democratic Management of Africa's Oil Wealth' - a joint regional project between Chatham House, Catholic Relief Services and Human Rights Watch. Funded by the Ford Foundation, the project addresses oil revenue transparency and accountability in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Its aim is to inform the international public debate on the extractives industry - primarily oil revenue management in Africa - and to help citizens in resource-rich states gain an understanding of the amount and use of oil revenues so that they can hold their governments accountable. For more information please contact Tighisti Amare. Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:07:46 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1646/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1646/ 10:00, 12th August 2010 - The increased efforts by Asian powers to (re-)engage with African states have generated a great deal of debate in African countries and among their international partners. Assessments of impacts and opportunities presented by Asian investments have often been clouded by generalised assumptions, lack of empirical research and, at times, prejudice. This event organized by NIIA and Chatham House will mark the Nigerian launch of the Chatham House report Thirst for African Oil, funded by the Revenue Watch Institute, which provides a comparative study of Asian national oil investments in Nigeria and Angola, analysing the nature of the investments, the political complexities of the relationships and how they have been managed by the host governments, and the outcomes so far of Asian countries' engagements. With the report as its foundation, the event will enable broader discussion of the nature and impacts of Asian engagement in West Africa. For more information please contact Tighisti Amare. Read Thirst for African Oil: Asian National Oil Companies in Nigeria and Angola >> Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:58:41 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1645/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1645/ 23:00, 12th July 2010 - This conference (see {$FULL_DOMAIN}/ukworld) took place at Chatham House in July 2010 as part of a major project on Rethinking the UK's International Ambitions and Choices. Resources from the conference are available below, including video extracts and transcripts. Agenda >> Keynote Speeches Lord Malloch-Brown KCMG, Vice Chairman, World Economic Forum Sir Jeremy Greenstock GCMG, Director, The Ditchley Foundation The Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP, Secretary of State for Defence, UK Nick Burns, Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Politics, Harvard Kennedy School The Rt Hon Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, President, Chatham House Video Extracts from Conference Sessions The UK in the Global Economy: Still in the Top Tier? The UK, US and Europe: Transatlantic Relations and Choices The UK as a Global 'Thought Leader' Options for Security and Defence Policy A Changing Britain Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:59:44 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1644/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1644/ 14:00, 29th July 2010 - The recent Deepwater Horizon disaster has cast the spotlight over the risks to investors of working in deepwater offshore. These threats to investor and environmental assets are similar to those in the tar sands that have been highlighted over the past two years. This timely event will bring together investors, analysts and commentators to discuss the implications of frontier oil and possible future directions both for the oil industry and the investment community. Attendance is by invitation only. This event is held under the Chatham House Rule. For more information please contact Lucy Ellinas. Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:37:34 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1643/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1643/ 15:00, 30th July 2010 - THIS EVENT IS FULL AND REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. Piracy off the coast of Somalia continues to be a major concern for the international community. Many countries are engaged in operations to curb piratical activity. Professor Samatar will argue that in order to meet real and lasting success, there needs to be a greater awareness of the conditions which have facilitated the rise of piracy in the region, and of the internal workings of pirate networks. He will present an alternative strategy for the containment and elimination of piracy. Professor Abdi Ismail Samatar chairs the University of Minnesota's Geography Department and has worked widely on development, social capital and ethnicity in the Horn of Africa. He was a Fulbright scholar in Ethiopia and Botswana and previously served as an advisor to South Africa's Human Sciences Research Council. For more information please contact Tighisti Amare. Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:13:21 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1642/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1642/ 17:00, 30th September 2010 - This new study of the contested Iranian presidential election of 2009 examines its historical, social and political context, setting it within the framework of the rise of Principle-ist project under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The author will assess the various campaigns, the allegations of fraud and the subsequent political fallout and will argue that the crisis of authority facing the Islamic Republic is at heart an ideological crisis over the meaning and legacy of the revolution. Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:52:08 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1641/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1641/ 12:30, 15th September 2010 - The speaker will discuss newly declassified material from Whitehall's Cold War Files, and explore how the state responded to the Soviet threat, from the Second World War to the 1970s. He will outline the size and shape of the Cold War state built in response to that threat and trace arguments used by successive generations of ministers, the military and civil servants to justify the British nuclear capability. He will also discuss how Britain's Cold War state has now been turned into a protective 'counter-terror' state, exploring the threats presented by radical Islamic terrorists post 9/11. He will detail the experiences of politicians and the military who have kept the British nuclear deterrent in a state of readiness from the 1960s right through to the Royal Navy Trident submarine on patrol in the North Atlantic today. Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:33:01 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1640/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1640/ 12:30, 3rd August 2010 - The speaker will discuss multilateral cooperation within the context of the United Nations in Vienna, including current topics within the IAEA, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization, and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:27:09 +0100 http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1639/ http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/events/view/-/id/1639/ 17:00, 23rd September 2010 - The speaker will argue that the operations in Afghanistan and Iraq have exerted extreme pressure on the defence establishment and exposed various points of weakness. He will discuss the quality of British military command, especially at the strategic and operational levels. He will examine how potentially problematic forms of command might best be understood as a manifestation of ingrained institutional presumptions and tensions within the armed forces, rather than the personal failings of individual commanders. By identifying the underlying basis of command difficulties, he will suggest that the British armed forces may be better placed to cope with the undoubtedly difficult challenges of the next decade. The event will be followed by a pre-dinner reception (cash bar) and dinner at the Naval and Military Club, 4 St James's Square. Chatham House members who would like to attend the dinner (3 courses including wine, port and coffee at £55 per head) are asked to book on events@navalandmilitaryclub.co.uk or 020 7827 5730 by Monday 14 September. Dress code for dinner will be black tie and medals. Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:20:07 +0100