10 February 2012

UK Ambassador to Afghanistan to discuss mission at public lecture in Dundee

The UK's Ambassador to Afghanistan will discuss whether the military action in that country over the past decade should be judged a success or failure when he delivers a public lecture at the University of Dundee.

Sir William Patey, a graduate of the University, will deliver the latest instalment in the Arts & Humanities Research Institute (AHRI) Lecture Series 2011/12, on Friday, 17th February.

Sir William will retire from HM Diplomatic Service in April having served as Ambassador to Sudan, Iraq and Saudi Arabia among other roles during his distinguished career.

As the number of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) soldiers based in Afghanistan is steadily reduced ahead of control being handed to Afghan troops, Sir William will recount his experiences of heading the UK's diplomatic mission in Kabul since 2010, and evaluate the achievements and frustrations of the NATO-led security mission over the past decade.

"Sir William's talk will provide a fascinating insight into one of the most controversial military engagements of our time," said Professor David Finkelstein, Dean of the School of Humanities.

"His position at the head of the UK's diplomatic mission in Afghanistan means that he is uniquely well placed to discuss the events of the past decade and how history should see the conflict. I personally can't wait to hear Sir William's perspective on Afghanistan and we are delighted to welcome him back to Dundee, where he of course studied.

"This is just one part of an exciting programme of lectures which demonstrate the breadth, vibrancy and relevance of the disciplines which constitute the Humanities and illustrate why they play an essential role in our cultural, social and economic life. I would encourage anyone with an interest in this topic, or with the Humanities in general, to come along for this talk."

The AHRI is based within the School of Humanities at Dundee, and serves as a forum for research across the School's principal disciplines of English literature and creative writing, history, philosophy and aesthetics.

The lecture series will showcase the range of groundbreaking humanities research taking place across the country, and see eminent academics from Dundee deliver the lecture programme, alongside colleagues from other UK universities and institutions.

Sir William's talk, 'Afghanistan: Success or Failure?', takes place at the D'Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre at 6.15pm on Friday, 17th November. Entry is free and open to all.

More information is available by visiting www.dundee.ac.uk/humanities/artsandhumanitiesresearchinstitute.

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Grant Hill
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University of Dundee
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