Submitted by Livia Harriman on Wed, 06/01/2021 - 14:51
The Centre for Geopolitics at the University of Cambridge is launching a Baltic Geopolitics Programme.
With the aim of increasing understanding of the geopolitics of the Baltic and the UK's role in it, which is particularly important in the context of the UK leaving the EU.
The Programme’s launch event will be on Wednesday, 20 January, 10-11.00am. The event will be opened by HE Kersti Kaljulaid, the President of the Republic of Estonia.
Keynote introductions will be given by Professor John Bew, Adviser on Foreign Policy to the Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, Prime Minister; Professor David Abulafia, FBA Emeritus Professor of Mediterranean History at Cambridge University, and author of 'The Boundless Sea'; and Edward Lucas, writer, journalist and analyst of geopolitics and the Baltic states.
These will be followed by a panel discussion between the President of Estonia and the introductory speakers.
The Rt Hon Charles Clarke, former Home Secretary, who is chairing the event said:
"This exciting initiative will give a much-needed raised profile and understanding of Britain’s relationships with the Baltic countries. We need to build stronger new relationships to face effectively the complex security, economic and sustainability challenges of the future."
The planned work of the Programme will be introduced by Professor Brendan Simms, who said:
“after Brexit, the relationship between the UK and the EU will become more, not less important. Our Baltic Project will investigate Britain's current relations with a significant part of its 'near abroad' in its wider historical context.”
At the event, Professor Anna Mazurkiewicz, from the University of Gdansk and Dr Henrik Breitenbauch, from the University of Copenhagen will explain the role and work of the Baltic Geopolitics Network, whose founder members are the universities of Cambridge, Copenhagen, Gdansk, Glasgow, Greifswald, Helsinki, Klaipeda, Latvia, Tartu and Uppsala.
You can learn more and register for the event here>>
Find out more about the programme>>
Image credit @Vaivos