The S.T. Lee Distinguished Annual Lecture by Baroness Valerie Amos, Director, SOAS University of London

Lecture Abstract:

We live in an era of unprecedented crises ranging from refugee flows to climate change to increased nationalism. We are seeing new states rising, while established powers’ influence recedes. Are the United Nations and other post-1945 multilateral institutions still fit for purpose in this rapidly changing world? And if not, can they adapt or do we need a new model? This lecture challenges Asia to use its power to address these global challenges – and it sets out how universities can best equip policymakers and educate new generations to shape our future.

About the Speaker:

Baroness Valerie Amos joined as Director of SOAS University of London in September 2015.  From 2010, she served as Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the UN. She served in a number of roles in the public sector including in local government and as Chief Executive of the Equal Opportunities Commission. Valerie was an adviser to the Mandela Government on leadership, change, management and strategy issues between 1994 and 1998.  She was appointed a Labour Life Peer in 1997 and became a member of the Government in 1998.  She was a Foreign Office Minister, Secretary of State for International Development, Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Council.  She also served as UK High Commissioner to Australia before joining the UN.  In June 2016, she was made a Companion of Honour in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.