9 November 2004

Cabinet Office historian speaks on African policy

Photo opportunity, 6.00pm, Thursday 11 November, Baxter Conference Suite, 1st Floor, Tower Building, University of Dundee

In a week where Africa has topped the political agenda with Gordon Brown's announcement that Live Aid will receive all VAT on sales of its new DVD, the University of Dundee will welcome the official Cabinet Office historian, Professor Alan Milward, to deliver a timely lecture on American and European policy towards Africa.

In the public lecture organised by the University's Institute for Transatlantic European and American Studies (ITEAS), Professor Milward will examine what the USA and Europe are doing to aid Africa as the continent continues to be torn by civil war, ravaged by disease and suffer economically. Although the Chancellor’s gesture could hand Live Aid £4m that will go to Africa the economic historian will question whether Europe and in particular America are doing enough.

With sub-Saharan Africa home to just over ten per cent of the world's population but almost 90 per cent of the world's malaria deaths, and more than 70 per cent of the world's HIV/AIDS cases the Professor will ask how this state of affairs has come about. He will particularly question how far it is to blame on the European Union and whether the situation would be better now had Africa had stronger commercial and political links with the USA.

Alan Dobson, Professor of Politics and Director of the Institute for Transatlantic European and American Studies said, "We are delighted to welcome Professor Milward to the University to talk on this emotive subject. Alan Milward is well known for his forthright scholarship and willingness to explore new ways of looking at things.

Some years ago he challenged the orthodox view of the political and economic development of Europe following the second world war and I expect nothing less from him on European and US policies towards Africa."

Professor Milward is an emeritus Professor at the London School of Economics and has been an official historian at the Cabinet Office since 1993. He has published numerous works on the economic history of Europe and the history of the European Community and has taught at leading Universities across the world.

The Institute for Transatlantic European and American studies opened in 2003 and has attracted a number of leading academics, politicians and commentators to Dundee. ITEAS are pleased that Lord George Robertson, former NATO secretary and graduate of the University will deliver next year's lecture.

The lecture starts at 6.30pm in the Tower extension lecture theatre. The public are invited to attend the lecture which will take an open format where the audience can participate and add to the debate.

For further information please contact the press office on 01382 344768

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344910, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk