Global Strategy Forum
Dr Knox Chitiyo, Tony Baldry MP, Michael Ancram (GSF Chairman) and Dr Richard Cockett
Debate panellists
Tony Baldry MP, Dr Knox Chitiyo (Head of the Africa Programme at RUSI) and Dr Richard Cockett (Africa Editor at The Economist) took part in a GSF debate entitled 'Africa: A Continent Whose 'Time Has Come'?' The answer to the question was a qualified 'yes'. Dr Knox Chitiyo felt that Africa had now become part of the international system and was no longer a passive player and therefore needed to 'seize the moment'. Tony Baldry MP and Richard Cockett were more ambivalent. Richard Cockett, author of 'Sudan: Darfur and the Failure of an African State' spoke about the situation in Sudan and said it was a good example of all the negatives in Africa. Tony Baldry called for a new chapter to be opened in the narrative of development aid, both from the perspective of the donors and the recipicients, which focused on transparency and effective outcomes, particularly at a time when the UK public was sceptical of the ringfencing of international aid, a point which was reinforced by all three panellists. The audio transcript of the debate is available by clicking the link above.
FW de Klerk
Former President of the Republic of South Africa
On Monday 16th November, Global Strategy Forum was honoured to welcome F W de Klerk, former President of the Republic of South Africa and Nobel Laureate. In the month which marks the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Mr De Klerk reflected on this momentous period in world affairs. His insights illuminated the ramifications of this event on a global scale and took the story of the Fall of the Berlin Wall well beyond its usual European context. He concluded that in South Africa 'the fall of the Berlin Wall showed how deeply we are influenced by events on the global stage - and helped us to break down the walls between our own people.'
Tom Porteous, Dr Steve Tsang, Michael Ancram and Dr Chris Alden
The panel with Michael Ancram, GSF's Chairman
On Monday 1st December, Dr Chris Alden of the LSE, Tom Porteous, London Director of Human Rights Watch and Dr. Steve Tsang took part in a debate entitled: 'China in Africa: friend or foe?' in which it was concluded that despite much criticism of China's influence in Africa in the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics, with particular reference to Darfur, China's record in pursuit of her own interests in Africa was not substantially worse than that of many other foreign powers and moreover, that China had the potential to be at least instrumental in the solution to some of Africa's problems.
Zimbabwe Panel
Zimbabwe debate - 5th February 2008
Ahead of the Presidential elections in Zimbabwe, this was a fascinating and lively debate. Participants were evenly spread for and against the present regime of Robert Mugabe with BBC's human rights correspondent Sue Lloyd-Roberts highlighting the plight of ordinary Zimbabweans.
Zimbabwe Panel
Zimbabwe debate - 5th February 2008
Ahead of the Presidential elections in Zimbabwe, this was a fascinating and lively debate. Participants were evenly spread for and against the present regime of Robert Mugabe with BBC's human rights correspondent Sue Lloyd-Roberts highlighting the plight of ordinary Zimbabweans.
