Day 1, 5th July

11:10 – 12:10
The Stabilisation Unit – experiences from the front line

Clare Simpson – Communications Manager
Philippa Brown – former Head of the Counter Narcotics Team (Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team, Afghanistan) 

This session will cover an important part of the Department’s work.  Details to follow shortly so keep checking back.

13.40 - 14.40
The FCO’s political response to the Arab Spring.

The Foreign Secretary has described the eruption of democracy movements across the Middle East and North Africa as the most important development of the early 21st century, with potential long term consequences greater than either 9/11 or the global financial crisis in 2008. Join, Dr Christian Turner, Director Middle East & North Africa, for an insight into the leadership challenges that emerged during the FCO’s response to the Arab Spring.

  Day 2, 6th July

11.10 - 12.20
Britain Open for Business; the importance of trade and investment in delivering economic growth

This session will explore the role of trade and inward investment in creating growth and the need to encourage innovation.

12.30-13.30
FCO Crises Response

In the first five months of 2011 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has managed the response to consular crises on an unprecedented scale. From the earthquake in New Zealand, the tsunami and nuclear meltdown in Japan, to political turmoil across the Middle East and Africa, our resources and staff have been tested to the limit. Join us to learn how we managed these crises both in London and overseas, what we’ve learnt in the process, and what we’re doing to prepare for crises in the future.

13.40-14.40
Weather, Climate and International Development

The Met Office is involved in capacity development work on an international scale. Through working closely with others, we are helping countries build their own capabilities to:

• Understand and adapt to the potential effects of climate change
• Identify and produce the weather and hazard information essential to their Disaster Risk Reduction strategy.

This session will showcase key projects in Africa that demonstrate how the shared goals of UK and overseas Governments , multilaterals and national organisations can lead to successful projects which provide real, sustainable results for countries.

Using weather and climate science, alongside knowledge and technology transfer, we are supporting;

• disaster risk reduction
• climate adaptation 
• contributions to the achievement of the Millennium development goals

Projects discussed will include; the Climate Science Research Partnership (CSRP), capacity building with the Rwandan National Met Service.

Nafees Meah, Head of Science, Climate, Energy, Science and Analysis, DECC; Yvan Biot, Head of Climate Change and Environment Research, DFID; Tom Butcher, External Relations Manager, Met Office; and Dr Vicky Pope, The Met Office, Head of Climate Science Advice.

   Day 3, 7th July

11.10 - 12.10
Institute for Government

The full details of this session will be confirmed soon. So keep checking back!

13.40 - 14.40
Reflections from operations

Military operations can seem a long way from a busy desk in Whitehall. In this session, three civil servants who have been deployed with military personnel into very politically sensitive and high risk theatres overseas give their “reflections from operations”. They will offer personal perspectives on their experiences of working alongside the military to show how Civil Servants can make a real difference in service delivery.

With Paul Lincoln, Command Secretary at Permanent Joint Headquarters UK. Lindy Cameron, UK Stabilisation Unit (DfID) and Mark Scully, Support to Operations, (MoD)