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The need to innovate in a world of change

January update from Wilton Park CEO Tom Cargill

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Last week Wilton Park hosted a reception bringing together over 300 experts, activists, MPs, diplomats, officials and business representatives from around the UK to launch our 2025 agenda for international policy dialogues.

Featuring speeches from the Foreign Secretary and our Minister, Baroness Chapman, the event also launched a new Global Impact Group of UK based global companies committed to a more effective dialogue between business and government on international issues.

Alongside the launch of a new Soft Power Council last week, this represents important steps towards more effective, inclusive UK-wide networks and conversations on international issues. Wilton Park, and I, have worked over many years to support this more joined up national conversation – a significant force multiplier for the UK’s voice and influence in the world.

This comes at an important time given the renewed instability and uncertainties facing the world. Other countries are also innovating their approach to diplomacy, and I was fortunate to be invited last week to the official launch in Paris of the French Foreign Ministry’s Académie diplomatique et consulaire – a combination of a global convenor and diplomatic academy, modelled on Wilton Park. There will be much collaboration between us, and it underscores both the UK’s strengths, but also the continuing need to innovate in a world of change.

Tom Cargill

Chief Executive


Wilton Park and the World in 2025

At last week’s high-level reception, the Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon David Lammy MP, emphasised his commitment to broader engagement, stating:

“I want us to engage even more widely and deeply. To gain the benefits of a diverse range of perspectives. To harness the power of voices outside government,…whose own influence can complement our own.

Wilton Park really matters to this agenda. I have already begun to see the impact it can have.”

These words underscore Wilton Park’s vital position in international dialogue and our continuing importance to UK foreign policy priorities.

We were delighted to be joined by Baroness Chapman, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, who discussed the important role of UK soft power as a source of strategic advantage for the UK.

Read Baroness Chapman’s full remarks


Successfully harnessing AI in Africa

The report from our event on AI and Africa is now available. We brought global and African leaders from government, academia, civil society, development partners, AI practitioners and the private sector to focus on ways to harness AI as a driver of sustainable development.

Read the report

 

 

Watch interviews with experts at the event as they discuss how African nations can effectively harness AI to drive socioeconomic development.

 


Improving the support and protection of Human Rights Defenders to strengthen civic space

Human rights defenders (HRDs) are under increasing pressure in many countries and regions around the globe. We are witnessing political, financial and legislative measures that aim at shrinking the space for civil society, both online and offline. HRDs are also facing the risk of reprisals when engaging with governments or voicing their concerns at multilateral fora.

Earlier this month, this Wilton Park event focused on improving the support and protection of HRDs, especially those working in a conflict context or facing transnational repression.

Watch the videos from the event here:

 


Africa’s regional actors: the role of Citizen Agency in West Africa

In the week that Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso left the Economic Community of West African States, minds are focused on the future of the Regional Economic Community, now in its fiftieth anniversary year.

Beyond this, however, important questions remain on how to uphold constitutional rule and sustain democratisation efforts across the region, as the three junta-led countries seek to address severe security challenges in their own Alliance of Sahelian States, and the remaining 12 ECOWAS members continue to grapple with a range of economic and security challenges.

Wilton Park convened a roundtable in Dakar, Senegal, bringing together representation from the AU, ECOWAS and civil society actors and other experts from across the region to discuss how to strengthen citizen engagement to foster trust-building and more responsive leadership and institutions.

For further information, please contact Elizabeth.Donnelly@wiltonpark.org.uk.


What does modern British patriotism look like in an increasingly complex world?

Our Chief Executive, Tom Cargill shares a powerful moment from a recent school visit that highlighted how diverse backgrounds and language skills could shape the future of UK diplomacy.

His blog explores the urgent need for a constructive conversation about national identity and belonging in 21st century Britain.

READ


Taiz / Yemen - 01 Apr 2019: Hanan is a student who has dropped her classes in her school, which has become a wreck because of the war in Yemen. She is sitting in the ruins of the classroom.

Latest reports

Read our latest reports, on conflict trauma and youth and the launch of a new women’s climate action network

Read the reports

Upcoming events

Modern slavery, regulations and investment

This event seeks to explore innovative solutions that balance the urgency of tackling modern slavery with the broader goals of enterprise growth, decent work, and sustainable economic development.

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Reinvigorating the response to antimicrobial resistance

The dialogue will focus on what is needed to transition from commitments to actionable steps, addressing the health, social, and economic impacts of AMR.

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Simplification and digitisation of tax systems for the Commonwealth

This policy dialogue will explore various aspects of tax simplification for tax policy leads across several Commonwealth countries bringing together solutions and ideas for simplifying tax systems.

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Look ahead

The role and responsibility of religious leaders in times of war, atrocities and polarisation

Next month we bring together faith leaders from the Middle East and Europe to discuss the role and responsibility of religious leaders in times of war, atrocities and polarisation.

At a time of increased religious extremism, religious sectarianism and ethnoreligious nationalism, how can religious leaders mitigate conflict, protect lives and work for peace and inclusion?

And what can be learned from past experiences and from peace and reconciliation processes across the globe where faith actors played a part?

READ MORE


View all events


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