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THE RAMPHAL INSTITUTELaunched in 2008, the Ramphal Institute is a not-for-profit organisation working on issues of special concern to the Commonwealth and its 53 members in the areas of social and economic policy, governance and the environment. The Institute leverages the special ties of the Commonwealth to advance and share knowledge in these fields as a means of challenging development issues with relevance to the wider world, benefiting both policy makers and the public.
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The Ramphal Institute has embarked on an important programme of policy research looking at Brexit and its implications for Third Countries. This can be easily accessed via the button below:
After Brexit: Securing ACP Economic Interests
The Ramphal Institute launched its publication 'After Brexit: Securing ACP Economic Interests' at a symposium held on February 17th, 2017. The publication and the video of the symposium can be found here.
Harnessing the Caribbean’s External Trade Partnerships
A new article on: Harnessing the Caribbean’s External Trade Partnerships: Opportunities and Challenges can be found here.
Congratulations to Professor Mirjam van Reisen
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The Ramphal Institute extends congratulations to Professor Mirjam van Reisen, a Trustee of the Institute, on her appointment as Professor of Computing for Society at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands.
Among the various other positions that she already holds is that of Professor of International Relations, Innovation and Care at Tilburg University; member of the Dutch Advisory Council on International Affairs; and Chair of the Development Assistance Committee. She is also Secretary General of the Europe External Cooperation Programme with Africa and a member of the Board of Philips Foundation. In 2012 she received the Golden Image Award from President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia. Professor van Reisen will deliver her inaugural lecture on the subject, “International Cooperation and the Digital Society”, on Friday, March 10, 2017 at 16:00 hrs in the ‘Groot Auditorium’ of the ‘Academiegebouw’, Rapenburg 73 in Leiden. |
KEY ISSUES AFFECTING LARGE, FAST-GROWING COMMONWEALTH CITIES AT UN HABITAT III, QUITO
An advisory note to assist Commonwealth delegations attending the UN Habitat III Conference has been prepared by the Ramphal Institute. The note sets out issues affecting many fast-growing cities in the Commonwealth and draws on the Institute’s current research to provide recommendations for civic leaders and national governments. The note can be accessed here.
Brexit and EPAs: Exploring the Implications for the trade of Commonwealth developing Countries
The result of the 23rd June referendum means that the UK is now en route to exiting the European Union. This exit will also see an end to its Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with several African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries.
The Ramphal Institute organised a brainstorming session of leading experts to identify and better understand how this might affect Commonwealth developing countries that currently trade with the UK under an EPA.
The webinar can be viewed here.
The Ramphal Institute organised a brainstorming session of leading experts to identify and better understand how this might affect Commonwealth developing countries that currently trade with the UK under an EPA.
The webinar can be viewed here.
BREXIT - Implications for Trade Policy with Third Parties
Based on what they think is best for the UK, voters will decide on the 23rd June whether their country stays in or leaves the EU. But the consequences of the vote will be felt way beyond the shores of the UK. Brexit would have far-reaching consequences for African and other developing countries that trade with the UK and Europe under the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).
To help explore this broader dimension, Josephine Hoste of DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES, chaired a discussion on “BREXIT - Implications for Trade Policy with Third Parties: Agricultural Market Access. The EU-ACP EPA Trade Framework”.
The experts, who participated in their private capacities, were:
To help explore this broader dimension, Josephine Hoste of DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES, chaired a discussion on “BREXIT - Implications for Trade Policy with Third Parties: Agricultural Market Access. The EU-ACP EPA Trade Framework”.
The experts, who participated in their private capacities, were:
- DR. MAXIMILIANO MENDES-PARRA - Research Fellow, International Economic Development Group, Overseas Development Institute
- PROFESSOR JIM ROLLO CMG - Director and Co-founder of Interanalysis ltd
- HONOURABLE YASMINE SAMUEL SATTI - Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly – South Sudan
- MRS KATHERINE N. ICHOYA, Chief Executive Officer - FEMCOM
- EDWIN LAURENT Director of the Ramphal Institute.
In Memory of Jo Cox
A Message from Our Chair - Patsy Robertson |
A Message from Our Patron - Baroness Glenys Kinnock of Holyhead |
A Message From Our Director - Edwin Laurent |
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Jo Cox was a feminist and a humanitarian. She relentlessly campaigned for human rights, equality and justice, standing up for the most marginalised in society. The United Kingdom she believed in was one that was free of the hateful and fear mongering rhetoric that some of her colleagues had begun to espouse, and that would ultimately plant the seeds that grew into an extreme act of violence against her.
Jo Cox was many things; a wife, a mother, a daughter. She was also a female MP. One of only 191 female MPs in the UK, of a total of 650 members of Parliament. Female MPs have reported aggressive and intrusive behaviour more so than their male counterparts. The aggression towards women politicians speaks to a wider problem in society. Challenging flawed gender perceptions and fighting for women’s security and rights was something that Jo Cox believed in. No society can reach its full potential if discrimination and violence against women continues. With the loss of a woman like Jo Cox who fought to make the world just that little bit better in a male dominated arena shows that even the most liberal of societies is still a long way behind where it needs to be in order to truly represent the values that it shouts out to the world. This tragedy should not have occurred; that it has cannot be forgotten. Let us hope that the good she represented and diligently fought for is reflected in the politics of an enlightened UK. - Patsy Robertson |
My beloved friend Jo Cox.
The tragic death of Jo Cox is devastating. I send all my love to Brendan, their children and her devoted parents. Jo came to work for me on Overseas Development in the European Parliament twenty years ago and we have been close friends and allies ever since. I was overjoyed when she had her lovely children and thrilled by her continual and deserved successes. She was a unique mixture of high intelligence merriment, bravery, energy and kindness and she had an endless capacity for hard work. Her whole life was dedicated to her fellow human beings in her Constituency, in Syria, in Africa and anywhere where she could offer practical, useful compassion. She fought tirelessly on every front for justice and against prejudice and poverty. Only madness could have taken this truly wonderful young woman from us. - Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead |
In standing up for her beliefs and fighting courageously for them, Jo Cox MP has had to pay the ultimate price. Long before getting into Parliament she had embarked on what would be central to much of her life’s work; support for international development and justice. In the late nineteen-nineties she was a strong supporter of small peasant farmers in the Caribbean and active in the campaign to secure a better future for their banana exports. She moved on to OXFAM and to broader global campaigning where her work has helped improve the lives of so many more. Most of those who benefited, would not even known that it is to her that gratitude is due for the better futures for themselves, their children and their communities. Now, this wonderful bright star with such great promise, has been so cruelly taken from us. Those of us who had the good fortune of knowing her admired her commitment, courage and selfless dedication. She was a fantastic and truly gifted young lady. Jo’s work has helped and will continue to change lives for the better. Her legacy will live on inspiring those who, like her, dream of and campaign to make ours a better world. Rest in peace Jo. - Edwin Laurent |
SYMPOSIUM ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF TTIP FOR THE TRADE AND INVESTMENT OF ACP COUNTRIES
A high level symposium took place on the 24th May 2016 on the implications of TTIP for the trade and investment of ACP countries. For further details please follow this link.
EDUCATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND BEYOND: SHIFTING THE DISCOURSE |
Guyana/Venezuela Controversy - A Lecture by the Guyana Vice President |
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The Symposium was held from 26th - 27th April 2016 in London. It explored and discussed the unique challenges and needs of the developing and industrialized nations of the Commonwealth in tandem with Education and the post 2015 Sustainable Development Goals. The report of the Symposium, papers and presentations can be found here.
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The Ramphal Institute was pleased to host a lecture by the Guyana Vice President, the Hon Carl Greenidge. He explored the historical, legal and political dimensions of the controversy between his country and Venezuela over the latter's claim to almost two-thirds of Guyana's territory and a substantial portion of its exclusive maritime zone. Further details are available on our events page.
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Commonwealth Photography Competition 2016
Your Commonwealth - through your lens. Join us in celebrating the diversity of the Commonwealth’s 53 countries and its people. The truly exceptional photos and the results of the 2016 competition can be seen here.
Small Island Developing States, Small Farmers, and the Climate Negotiations
A new study by the Ramphal Institute assesses the impact of climate change on small farmers in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and makes recommendations as to how they might be assisted in adapting to climate change . The study along with a briefing document is available here.
At COP21 SIDS leaders championed an ambitious global agreement. They spoke with courage and demanded nothing less then a future for all - a future where no one was left behind. We summarize some of the voices of SIDS at COP21 here.
At COP21 SIDS leaders championed an ambitious global agreement. They spoke with courage and demanded nothing less then a future for all - a future where no one was left behind. We summarize some of the voices of SIDS at COP21 here.
Book Releases
The Ramphal Institute is pleased to share our trustee, Richard Bourne's new book: Nigeria - A New History of a Turbulent State, and our trustee, Dr Roli Degazon-Johnson's new book: Anusha's Gathering.
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THE SIR ARTHUR LEWIS CENTENARY LECTURE DELIVERED BY SIR HILARY BECKLESOn the 23rd November, the Ramphal Institute and the British Foundation for the University of the West Indies, co-hosted a Sir Arthur Lewis Centenary Lecture. This lecture, delivered by Sir Hilary Beckles, the Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, was entitled ‘The Economics of Black Freedom, Reparation and Anti-Colonial Development.' Please refer to our Events page for a forthcoming summary of the event and video.
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Roundtable Discussion with Professor Nigel HarrisOn the 14th October 2015, the Ramphal Institute hosted a high-level Roundtable at King’s College, London on 'The Evolving Role of Tertiary Education in Post-Colonial Societies' The feature presentation was delivered by the Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Nigel Eon Harris. He was joined by Professor Teddy Brett of the LSE, Dr Sadhana Manik of the University of KwaZulu Natal, and Dr Casmir Chanda, an education expert. Please refer to our Events page for a summary report on the Roundtable.
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Professor Ruth L. Okediji Visits Ramphal
During a brief visit to London Professor Ruth L. Okediji, a leading expert on international intellectual property (IP) law called on the Ramphal Institute for discussions with members on 17th August 2015. Please go to our Events page to find out more about her visit.
Chair Appointed Visiting Professor @ King's College London
The Ramphal Institute is pleased to announce that its Chairperson, Patsy Robertson has been appointed Visiting Professor at King’s College London. Hers is one of three appointments that are expected to further boost the reputation of King’s as a center of international excellence by adding to the impressive and diverse group of Visiting Professors at the Policy Institute. Further details can be found here.
New Agricultural Alerts
New alerts have been published on the 'Implications for the ACP of
Current Projections for the EU Sugar Markets' and 'Situating the
Recent Evolution of EU-ACP Agro-food Sector Trade by Region'
A NEW PARTNERSHIP
Trustees agreed a memorandum of understanding with King’s College on 17 December 2014. This allows for Collaboration on research and advocacy between the Institute and King’s College while retaining the independence of the Institute, which remains a registered UK charity and Non Profit company. The Institute’s office transferred to the Virginia Woolf Building on Kingsway at the end of February 2015 and will be based at the Policy Institute at King's. Institute trustees have welcomed this development as providing a solid intellectual partnership, which is particularly appropriate as Shridath Ramphal was a law student at King's College in the 1940s.
GLIMPSES OF A GLOBAL LIFE
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05/11/14
BOOK LAUNCH The Ramphal Institute proudly organised the launch of Sir Shridath Ramphal's autobiographical book, 'Glimpses of a Global Life', which took place on 6 November 2014 at Marlborough House. |
THE RAMPHAL INSTITUTE :: REGISTERED UK COMPANY NO. 5822913 :: REGISTERED UK CHARITY NO. 1117152
