Keele World Affairs

Lord Brittan

Keele World Affairs started as an Adult Education programme in 1978 and was reconstituted under the chairmanship of Owen Powell MBE in 1980.  It is a remarkable story.  By the end of 2012 over 850 lectures have taken place and cumulative attendances at World Affairs are estimated to be in the region of 130,000.

AJP Taylor

Well-known figures have appeared on World Affairs platform from the start.  A notable early arrival was A J P Taylor the leading liberal modern historian who became a household figure with his unique ability to communicate history on television.  Since then, World Affairs has welcomed many academics, politicians, and others with a gift for delivering a lucid perspective and new insights.

Arthur Scargill

Gen Sir Michael Rose

It continues to fulfil its original aim with an annual series of 24 lectures that give informed analysis and opinion from political, economic, and social perspectives.  The lectures may address global issues, individual countries and regions, or specifically British concerns. Over the years, the series has often sought different views on issues of importance at the time such as Northern Ireland, EU membership, climate change, Iraq, and international security.

Baroness Williams

Dr Garret Fitzgerald

World Affairs has no political agenda, simply a search for ‘truth’ as well as ‘knowledge’.  At times some speakers may be controversial but they provide alternative ideas to mainstream views.  This was exemplified by many speakers on Northern Ireland over several years that included Unionist David Trimble, IRA bomber Patrick Magee and former Irish Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald.

Lord Trimble

Lord Carlile

Keele World Affairs is self-managing but benefits from the active support of the School of Politics, International Affairs, and Philosophy [SPIRE] within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. This gives us access to first class facilities and operational support. In return, World Affairs adds to the public profile of Keele University without burdening academic staff with organisational duties.

Bruce Kent, CND

Ann Widdecombe

From small beginnings, we now have 500 members and a regular attendance of 300 to 400 members with an informed and growing knowledge of a range of topics which impact significantly on all our lives. Please note that although the programme is dedicated to the principle of free political debate, members must have the tolerance to accept that others may hold opposite views.

Sir Stephen Lander