University of Dundee: Title

15 February 2001

Lord Robertson lectures in Dundee

Media opportunity - 7pm Saturday 17 February, Tower Extension Theatre, Tower Building, University of Dundee

The Rt Hon Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, Secretary General of NATO and a graduate of the University of Dundee returns to his alma mater this weekend to deliver the last in the Saturday evening public lecture series.

The Principal Sir Alan Langlands will welcome and chair the lecture of one of the University's most high profile graduates. In "NATO and the challenges of the new millennium" Lord Robertson will outline the priorities for NATO in the post cold war and explain how its rationale has shifted.

Lord Robertson will explain that NATO has moved beyond preventing the worst possible threat to our citizens and is now proactively addressing security challenges, building new relationships with Russia and Ukraine, enlarging the alliance and building a European security and defence identity. Applauded for his role in the Kosovo crisis as Minister of Defence, he will stress NATO's key role in crisis management.

George Robertson graduated from the University of Dundee in 1968 with an honours degree in politics. He entered the House of Commons in 1978 representing Hamilton South. He was shadow secretary of state for Scotland before becoming Minister of Defence on Labour's election in 1997. Lord Robertson accepted an honorary degree from the University of Dundee last year and was described by former Principal Dr Ian Graham-Bryce as "an ideal model for all graduates epitomising those admirable Scottish virtues of hard work, sense of duty, balanced judgement, good humour and modesty".

This lecture is the last in the January series of Saturday evening lectures at the University of Dundee. This winter's programme dealt with various contentious issues ranging from parenting to the ethics of the internet.

"NATO and the challenges of the new millennium" is in the Tower Extension lecture theatre at 7pm on Saturday 17 February. Admission is free and early arrival is advised to secure a seat.