Sussex Conversations go global

Sussex Conversations go global

The fourth in the Sussex Conversations series took place at the Royal Institution on 8 March as Sarah Montague of BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme chaired a debate on global politics, economics and the environment.

On the panel were chemist Professor Sir Harry Kroto, the former Secretary of State for International Development, the Rt Hon Clare Short, and Alison Evans of the Overseas Development Institute.

The respondents from the University of Sussex were economist Professor Alan Winters, migration expert Professor Richard Black and Martin Todd, Professor of Climate Change.

The debate looked at how the global economy is changing and developing and what the implications will be for international development. It considered the roles of technological solutions and social adaption in dealing with climate change. Changes in global migration patterns and the implications for human rights were also addressed.

The discussion attracted a large audience of alumni, friends and members of the public, as well as staff within the University and Sussex students, for whom special coach travel was provided.

Questions and debate from the audience were lively, covering issues about globalisation, opportunities created by technology and how new governance models could be created.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Farthing, said: “This was an exceptional debate - addressing major world issues and bringing Sussex expertise and experienced external perspectives together.