The Agora Group in association with The University of Nottingham Graduate School Malaysia presents a one-day student seminar

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT: PROGRESSION AND GROWTH IN NIGERIA

Click here for more information.

MYANMAR CYCLONE TRAGEDY – DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON HUMANITARIAN AID

Adam Novak
3 June 2008 – University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus

Adam Novak has worked for the Canadian International Development Agency and for various aid charities over the last 12 years. Adam’s current research studies the first steps towards development aid of emerging donors, including Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore and in Europe, Poland and the other East European new member states of the EU.

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? THE NATURE OF CITIZENSHIP AND IDENTITY.

A discussion group was held on December 5th where participants debated their ideas regarding identity and citizenship. The aim of the event was to broaden horizons and to develop understanding, both of other people’s perceptions, and one’s own.

There was no real design or structure to the session, it began with a few questions and developed into free flowing debate that lasted two hours. The participants were both undergraduate and postgraduate, from different educational backgrounds and comprised of many different nationalities, which served to provide a welcome diversity that led to interactive and challenging discussion.

Audio of the session (1:42:00)

TRANSITIONS AND TRANSFORMATIONS: POLITIES, POLITICS AND POLICY IN A GLOBALISING WORLD. A YOUTH PERSPECTIVE

On Saturday 1 December 2007, the Agora Group in association with the Institute of Political Science, University of Hamburg presents a half-day student seminar to be held in the rooms of the Institute at Allende-Platz 1, Hamburg. The seminar is open to students of Political Science and neighbouring disciplines, at any stage of their studies, and young academics, providing an opportunity to exchange and discuss ideas and make contacts. Participants are invited to present papers in a supportive and open atmosphere providing the basis for stimulating debate.

Click here for more information and to register.

The Agora Group in association with The University of Nottingham Graduate School presents
a one-day student conference

DEMOCRACY, POLITICS AND THE CHANGING ROLE OF PARTICIPATION: A YOUTH PERSPECTIVE

Click here for more information

Agora Executive Director Christopher Hill was invited to participate in the International Seminar on Democracy, Terrorism and Security, organized by the Club de Madrid, and held in Madrid from March 8-11, 2005. The choice of Madrid to host the summit was to commemorate the victims of the terrorist bombings of March 11 th 2004.

The Summit brought together representatives from both the academic and professional world of international politics. It consisted of a mixture of high-level panel discussions, plenary sessions and guest speakers. The level of debate was an engaged and informed one with opinions and insight being offered by those with intimate knowledge of the international affairs and of the ramifications of terrorism itself.

A wide variety of panel discussions were open to those invited to attend the event and this afforded the opportunity to gain a comprehensive perspective of many different facets of the implication of terrorism on democracy and the response democracy can offer in face of mindless and senseless violence. The summit included a ceremony to commemorate the victims of the terrorist attack in Madrid a year ago and this served to ground the theoretical debate in the reality of day to day political life.

His Majesty Juan Carlos graced the Summit with his presence, and delivered an address on the dangers of terrorism and the hope and pride he felt for the way in which the Spanish people had dealt with the previous years’ atrocities. United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan also delivered a speech on the importance of combating terrorism with education and a united effort to renew and respect human rights in the defence of democracy.

The event was considered a success by those who attended and it served to illustrate the depth of the international community united in the face of terrorism and highlighted the fervour to combat terrorism on a global scale.

In addition, Mr. Hill was invited to partipate in the Atocha Workshop on Global Terrorism, to be held in Madrid on March 11, 2005. The Workshop was organized and hosted by the Safe Democracy Foundation, and aimed to create a "repository of original thinking on Global Terrorism."

For more information on the International Seminar, the Atocha Workshop, the Club de Madrid or the Safe Democracy Foundation, please click on the links above.