4th Annual Global Politics Conference

“The conference was a fantastic opportunity not only to hear experts discussing the current power game being played by Russia, America and China – but also to take part in university style seminars and plenaries”.

Wellington College held their 4th Annual Global Politics Conference on Wednesday 5th February.   Attended by 140 pupils drawn from eight different schools across both maintained and independent sectors, as well as Wellington’s own IB and A-level politics students, the day proved to be popular, challenging and successful.

The Conference examined the world order, with a focus on contemporary geopolitical trends, the re-emergence of multi-polarity, and the strategic interplay of powerful states.  Keynote presentations were delivered by journalist Tim Marshall (former foreign affairs Sky News Editor), Professor Robert McKeever (UCL), Mathieu Boulegue, Research Fellow at the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House, and Brigadier Ian Thomas, Dean of Academic Studies, The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. We are most grateful to Dr Neil Quilliam, Associate Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme who very kindly presented his session after arriving from Heathrow following his trip to Kuwait. Topics for the day included: ‘International relations – divisions old and new’; ‘The restoration of Russian power and spheres of influence’; ‘Geopolitical trends in the Middle East’; ‘The role of China in global governance’, and ‘The end of the American Century – the United States and world leadership’.

As one visiting student wrote: “The conference was a fantastic opportunity not only to hear experts discussing the current power game being played by Russia, America and China – but also to take part in university style seminars and plenaries”. Congratulations to all involved, and especially to Mrs Woolhouse and Dr Coates for organising such a valuable and inspirational day.