A fresh perspective on world affairs.

Byline: Stefanos Evripidou

OXFORD UNIVERSITY is considered the oldest English-language institute of higher education in the world, dating back to the 11th century. So when the English-Speaking Union Cyprus branch asked if I would like to attend a summer conference on International Relations there, nanoseconds couldn't pass before I blurted out 'OOH YES PLEASE!'

The English-Speaking Union opened its Cyprus branch last June and by August had already sent a Lecturer of English from the University of Cyprus to the Shakespeare's Globe in London for a cultural seminar, and me to Oxford.

With an ESU scholarship in hand and sponsorship from Cyprus Airways and Hermes Airports, I arrived at Oxford's Mansfield College in early August. Learning that Mansfield was the first nonconformist college to open in Oxford made me feel right at home. Not having a clue what being a nonconformist meant in the 19th century, the college's history still appealed to the suppressed youthful rebel within.

Any thoughts of open anarchy dissipated as early as the first formal dinner held in the College's grand Dining Room, attended by Lords and Ladies, OBEs, CBEs and a few OAPs who had delightfully put hand in purse to sponsor a number of the conference attendees.

I knew it would be an interesting week, based solely on the scheduled key-note speakers, but I had no idea how great it would be. With participants from all over the world, from all walks of life, I got to hear and enjoy many differing views, cultures, opinions and backgrounds expressed in one space. From the refreshingly honest 21-year-old Chinese student to the fun-loving Argentinean lawyer, getting a "fresh perspective" on world affairs was never a problem.

We got to hear and discuss multilateralism with Sir Jeremy Greenstock, former British Ambassador to the UN in New York and former special envoy to Iraq in 2003-2004. Greenstock expanded on the "era of disturbance" in global affairs, the relations between global and local and the challenge of national governments trying to deal with global problems. He hinted at the inability of current global institutions to fill the role created by people's expectations of global solutions for global problems.

Professor Alan Lee Williams, who served in the Commons for 13 years, questioned whether the 21st century meant the end of western dominance. Williams suggested that the recent crisis seriously damaged "the West", highlighting the paradox of China, which showed that it's possible to run a capitalist system under communist (autocratic) leadership. He predicted conflict between democracies and the emerging autocracies, including Russia.

Almost all the speakers spoke of the rising power of the ubiquitous BRIC-bloc (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and the fact that the 21st century would likely be an Asian one. Williams warned that the later stages of western dominance would be the most dangerous, forecasting that the major problems by 2050 would be the nation state and identity, nuclear proliferation and the battle between democracy and autocracy. He did not, however, discuss the danger of the West adopting its own form of autocratic capitalism.

Douglas Eden spoke of the US in world affairs, suggesting there would be no real change in US foreign policy under Obama as US interests had not changed.

Andrew Frazer agreed that the 21st century would see a shift of wealth from the West to the East, echoing sentiments of an Asian century. He also pointed out the $1.8 trillion a year going from oil consumers to oil producers, and warned of the emergence of resource nationalism.

Possibly the most colourful speaker, Lord Watson of Richmond started his talk with a lesson on politics. "Politics always involves saying what you think is going to happen in the future with complete confidence and then with the same degree of certainty explaining afterwards why what you thought would happen did not."

Watson relayed a conversation he had on his way to the House of Lords one day, when a London cabbie spent the ride moaning about the EU. Asked why he didn't emigrate if he was so unhappy in Britain, the cabbie replied: "Too bloody right guv, I'm going to Spain."

The organisers ensured that the scope of the conference was not limited to the obvious, with top speakers also speaking on climate change, trade, the legal system, art and culture and global themes in education.

Beyond the fact that we were all stimulated by huge injections of intellect, and the diverse experiences of both speakers and participants, we also had the city itself to enjoy, with its ancient traditions, classic buildings, clubs, coffeehouses and pubs. Perhaps the highlight for me, apart from the great friends made of course, was the punting. While one Argentinean friend punted like a ping-pong ball on the banks of the river, I coolly stripped down to my vest, and kept that vessel straight, though two youthful onlookers pointed out that I was standing on the wrong end (Cambridge style, I believe).

The ESU Cyprus branch in cooperation with the Pharos Arts Foundation is hosting a lecture by Environment Commissioner Charalambos Theopemptou next Tuesday, titled "The Environment and Quality of Life" at 7.30pm, The Shoe Factory, 304 Ermou Street. Call 22663871 for more information.

ESU Cyprus will also be holding a local high school debating tournament this year to choose the five best debaters who will represent Cyprus in the world schools debating championship in Qatar between February 8 and 19 in 2010. More information will be released next week. For further information, email Yiannis Georgiou at [e-mail].

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2009

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