Pipedream or Panacea?

Department of International Politics

Department of International Politics

19 March 2014

Desmond Bowen CB CMG, a member of the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters, will be speaking at Aberystwyth University tomorrow, Thursday 20 March 2014.

A former civil servant with a focus on defence and international security issues, Desmond Bowen will be discussing arms control and disarmament by evaluating its contribution to international peace and security and what motivates nations to enter into arms control agreements.

The lecture “Arms Control and Disarmament: Pipedream or Panacea?” will be held in the Main Hall, International Politics Building on the Penglais Campus and will start at 6.30pm.

This event is free and open to the public.

Background
Disarmament hit the headlines in 2013 when Syria agreed to give up its chemical weapons and the OPCW won the Nobel peace prize. Most arms control is less spectacular. How should we evaluate its contribution to international peace and security, and do we understand what motivates nations to enter into arms control agreements? Are such agreements pipe dreams?

Desmond Bowen completed his career as the UK MOD’s Director General of Policy in 2008 and is now the (part time) Staff Counsellor for the Intelligence and Security Services.

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