Institute of Commonwealth Studies

Read the latest hashtag newsletter 👇 👇 👇

https://mailchi.mp/sas/icws-newsletter-summer-07-2025

And subscribe here: https://sas.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=a2f7a3d9b0a7070b9dd8cb2c7&id=038408cfbc

New event recording is now available online of the Memorial2007 Annual Lecture featuring by Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies.

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lql4JG0sYM

Hosted by the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, you can view the event details here: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/news-events/events/memorial2007-annual-lecture

You can also read about our week with with Sir Hilary Beckles and CARICOM: reparations for transatlantic slavery here: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/news-events/news/week-sir-hilary-beckles-caricom-reparations-transatlantic-slavery


University of London
School of Advanced Study - University of London
Human Rights Consortium

Interested in a practice-focused human rights MA? Do you want to learn from and with human rights activists from around the world?

Apply by 1 August for the MA Human Rights at the University of London. Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate also available.

September 2025 start:

https://www.london.ac.uk/study/courses/postgraduate/ma-human-rights

School of Advanced Study - University of London
University of London
Human Rights Consortium

Call for papers - deadline today! 👇 👇 👇

https://www.commonwealthroundtable.co.uk/general/journal-notices/call-for-papers-cultures-of-democracy-commonwealth-leadership-grassroots-activism-and-people-empowerment-in-times-of-crisis/

Call for papers - Cultures of democracy: Commonwealth leadership, grassroots activism and people empowerment in times of crisis

Event Dates: 20-21 November 2025
Venue: Institute of Commonwealth Studies, Senate House, University of London
Call for papers deadline: 30 June 2025

Democracy seems everywhere under pressure. The rise of populist leaders, challenges from far-right and authoritarian regimes, attacks on democratic governance, distortions of truth on social media, the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and a disregard for fact-checking are all contributing.

To mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Commonwealth Secretariat, The Round Table is keen to explore what role the Commonwealth of Nations can play in this context.

Scholars, research graduates and analysts are invited to submit papers oncultural, legal, political, social, economic and moral issues, relating to the definitions of democracy, mediation, good offices, consensus building and international norms and the challenges of hegemony.

Call for Papers:

Please send your CV, abstract (max 500 words) and a brief biography (max 150 words) to Professor Sue Onslow, Editor of The Round Table on [email protected] by the deadline: 30 June 2025.

With the support from:

- Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study
- Institut universitaire de France (IUF)
- Sciences Po Strasbourg
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne (Amiens)
- The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs and Policy Studies.

More information here: https://www.commonwealthroundtable.co.uk/general/journal-notices/call-for-papers-cultures-of-democracy-commonwealth-leadership-grassroots-activism-and-people-empowerment-in-times-of-crisis/

On 26 June, the Canada-UK Council convened its second annual Young and Emerging Leadership Forum, on "Defence and Society in an Uncertain World". They brought together the next generation of leaders to exchange insights amidst ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, a pivotal NATO summit, and new strategic announcements from both the UK and Canada.

Sponsored by the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, Director Professor Kingsley Abbott moderated the event.

Further details below: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/news-events/news/empowering-next-generation-canadian-british-defence-leaders

Call for papers - Cultures of democracy: Commonwealth leadership, grassroots activism and people empowerment in times of crisis

Event Dates: 20-21 November 2025
Venue: Institute of Commonwealth Studies, Senate House, University of London
Call for papers deadline: 30 June 2025

Democracy seems everywhere under pressure. The rise of populist leaders, challenges from far-right and authoritarian regimes, attacks on democratic governance, distortions of truth on social media, the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and a disregard for fact-checking are all contributing.

To mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Commonwealth Secretariat, The Round Table is keen to explore what role the Commonwealth of Nations can play in this context.

Scholars, research graduates and analysts are invited to submit papers oncultural, legal, political, social, economic and moral issues, relating to the definitions of democracy, mediation, good offices, consensus building and international norms and the challenges of hegemony.

Call for Papers:

Please send your CV, abstract (max 500 words) and a brief biography (max 150 words) to Professor Sue Onslow, Editor of The Round Table on [email protected] by the deadline: 30 June 2025.

With the support from:

- Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study
- Institut universitaire de France (IUF)
- Sciences Po Strasbourg
- Université de Picardie Jules Verne (Amiens)
- The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs and Policy Studies.

More information here: https://www.commonwealthroundtable.co.uk/general/journal-notices/call-for-papers-cultures-of-democracy-commonwealth-leadership-grassroots-activism-and-people-empowerment-in-times-of-crisis/

A key component of our MA in is the Geneva Human Rights Study Tour, held during the summer session of the United Nations Human Rights Council which allows our students to apply their learning in a practical setting. This year the Tour was led by Dr Karen Bennett, Lecturer in Securing Human Rights and Professor Kingsley Abbott, Director of the ICwS.

Between 16-20 June 2025, during the 59th session of the HRC, we had a busy week of engaging at the UN and human rights offices in Geneva.

Read more about the Tour here: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/news-events/news/2025-human-rights-masters-programme-study-tour-geneva

2025 Human Rights Masters Programme Study Tour to Geneva A key component of our MA in Understanding and Securing Human Rights is the Geneva Human Rights Study Tour, held during the summer session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Join us TODAY to learn about our MA in Human Rights at our live Refugee Day webinar👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

https://www.london.ac.uk/news-events/events/refugee-day-friday-20-june

Join us THIS FRIDAY on 20 June 2025 from 14:00 - 15:00 (BST) at our live Refugee Day webinar to find out more about our Postgraduate Studies in Human Rights.

Learn more about our MA, the modules you will study, and the career paths that the degree will open to you, during our live online webinar. The webinar includes a live Q&A session where you will have the opportunity to ask your questions directly to Programme Director Dr Corinne Lennox, alumni and our specialist teams.

Register your place here: https://www.london.ac.uk/news-events/events/refugee-day-friday-20-june


University of London
School of Advanced Study - University of London

Hybrid event TODAY co-organised by ICwS Senior Lecturer Dr. Olivia Lwabukuna

Lecture Title: Beyond Aid: Rethinking Power, Sovereignty, Law and Development in Africa
Speaker: Professor Eka Ikpe (Director, African Leadership Centre, King’s College London).
Date: Thursday 19 June 2025
Time: 15:00–17:00 BST
Venue: Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS, University of London

Professor Ikpe is a leading voice on African political economy and development, and we are honoured to welcome her for what promises to be a timely and thought-provoking lecture.

REGISTER HERE: https://shorturl.at/8GyyA

Launch - Initiative to Develop Guidelines on the Documentation and Investigation of Environmental International Crimes 👇 👇 👇

The Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London, TRIAL International, Justice Rapid Response, Source International and Physicians for Human Rights are pleased to present their joint initiative to develop practical, multidisciplinary Guidelines on the Documentation and Investigation of Environmental International Crimes.

This initiative represents an important step toward greater accountability for environmental international crimes and the advancement of justice. Yesterday in Geneva, in parallel with 59th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, an expert consultation took place to shape the priorities and framework for the Guidelines.

“This project will have real global impact as it is responding to specific requests from civil society around the world for guidance on investigating environmental international crimes,” said Maud Sarlieve, Associate Research Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies and one of the lead organisers.

The consultation was attended and supported by students of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies MA Human Rights Programme and was supported by the Svenska Postkodlotteriets Stiftelse (The Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation) and the University of London Sustainability Program.

Read more here: https://commonwealth.sas.ac.uk/news-events/news/launch-initiative-develop-guidelines-documentation-investigation-environmental-international-crimes

Launch - Initiative to Develop Guidelines on the Documentation and Investigation of Environmental International Crimes We are pleased to present their joint initiative to develop practical, multidisciplinary Guidelines on the Documentation and Investigation of Environmental International Crimes.

Join us THIS FRIDAY on 20 June 2025 from 14:00 - 15:00 (BST) at our live Refugee Day webinar to find out more about our Postgraduate Studies in Human Rights.

Learn more about our MA, the modules you will study, and the career paths that the degree will open to you, during our live online webinar. The webinar includes a live Q&A session where you will have the opportunity to ask your questions directly to Programme Director Dr Corinne Lennox, alumni and our specialist teams.

Register your place here: https://www.london.ac.uk/news-events/events/refugee-day-friday-20-june


University of London
School of Advanced Study - University of London

Call for papers – Cultures of democracy: Commonwealth leadership, grassroots activism and people empowerment in times of crisis

Deadline: 30 June 2025

Democracy seems everywhere under pressure. The rise of populist leaders, challenges from far-right and authoritarian regimes, attacks on democratic governance, distortions of truth on social media, the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and a disregard for fact-checking are all contributing.

As we mark the 6oth anniversary of the founding of COMSEC (the Commonwealth Secretariat), The Round Table is keen to explore what role the Commonwealth of Nations can play in this context. Scholars, research graduates and analysts are invited to submit papers oncultural, legal, political, social, economic and moral issues, relating to the definitions of democracy, mediation, good offices, consensus building and international norms and the challenges of hegemony.

Submit an abstract of maximum 500 words with a short CV to Professor Sue Onslow ([email protected]) by 30 June 2025.

With the support of: the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study, the Institut universitaire de France, Sciences Po Strasbourg, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, The Round Table: The Commonwealth Journal of International Affairs and Policy Studies.

More information here: https://www.commonwealthroundtable.co.uk/general/journal-notices/call-for-papers-cultures-of-democracy-commonwealth-leadership-grassroots-activism-and-people-empowerment-in-times-of-crisis/

Call for papers - Cultures of democracy: Commonwealth leadership, grassroots activism and people empowerment in times of crisis How well-equipped is the Commonwealth to face the multiplicity of challenges posed to a rules-based international system?