11 October 2010

New season of Dundee Afternoon lectures

An illustrated talk about the plight of countries in the powderkeg that is Horn of Africa will begin a new series of The Dundee Afternoon Lectures this week.

‘The Current Turbulence in the Horn of Africa - Who is Responsible?’ takes place at the D’Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre, University of Dundee, on Wednesday, 13 Octoberat 2.00pm.

The Horn of Africa, comprising the countries of Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Somalia, is a volatile region of conflicting ideologies. The tense situation has been internally aggravated by extreme poverty, and greatly intensified by foreign interference.

Dr Arthur Warden, Honorary Lecturer at the University of Dundee, will deliver the lecture.

The Dundee Afternoon Lectures are organised by five local societies - the Royal Scottish Geographical Society Dundee Centre, The Friends of Dundee City Archives, Dundee Naturalists’ Society, The National Trust for Scotland (Dundee Members Group), and Abertay Historical Society.

Six fascinating talks, covering a wide range of topics, will take place between now and March 2011.

Honorary Secretary Joy Ingram said the series had been running for around 15 years, and this year’s line-up of speakers would appeal to a wide range of people.

'We’re delighted with the calibre of speakers we have attracted this year, and I’m sure anyone who come along to our talks will feel the same,' she said.

'The Lectures reflect the interests of the societies who help to organise them, but they are not exclusive to members of these groups. We would like to encourage as many people as possible to come along as the subjects will appeal across the board.'

The other lectures scheduled for the 2010-11 season are:

• 10 November - Dundee Old & New (lecture given by Iain Flett).
• 8 December - Crete - Island of Contrasts (Brian Allan).
• 12 January - All Roads Lead to the Mill (Peter Ellis).
• 9 February - The McManus - One Year On (John Stewart-Young).
• 9 March - Georgia and Abkhazia (Hilary-Kay Young).

All lectures take place on Wednesdays at 2.00pm. Admission if open to all, and costs £2. More information is available by calling Joy Ingram on 01382 668193.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277