From the West’s Wars to the Silk Roads of the New Eurasia

The 3rd Edward Goldsmith Memorial Lecture – ALL WELCOME

Thursday, 29 October 2015
Earth Sciences Seminar Room CO304, Cotton Building, Victoria University of Wellington (Kelburn Campus)

5.30–6.30pm: Lecture by JAMES O’NEILL, writer and barrister, Brisbane – From the West’s Wars to the Silk Roads of the New Eurasia

The United States has been the dominant world power since World War II, even prior to USSR break-up, as illustrated by more than 70 governments overthrown by the US in that period. The USSR collapse led to a complete reshaping of the European landscape, but at the same time China has emerged as a leading world power, as it had been before the 17th century. In recent years its growing financial and economic strength is transforming not only China, but also laying the foundations for a completely new economic order through a ‘new silk roads’ policy that is accompanied by a network of regional and world-wide agreements. Once again Eurasia is at the heart of what Sir Halford Mackinder in 1904 called the ‘world island’. For the west, these developments will shape the foreseeable future world-wide. The talk will include commentary on the controversy surrounding the investigations into the MH17 plane crash, now undermined by secrecy.

James writes on geopolitical issues with a legal and human rights perspective. He was educated at Canterbury, Victoriaand Auckland Universities, and has practised as a barrister in Brisbane since 1984. He publishes in Counterpunch and New Eastern Outlook, and presents to organisations such as the Australian Institute for International Affairs.

NOTE: Access to the Cotton Building has changed because of construction work. For pedestrians, come in by the bus stop on Kelburn Parade (Entrance 4), through Easterfield (EA) and the Hub (HU), turn right through MacLaurin (MC), and go straight into the Cotton Building. For car parking, take the Entrance 7 driveway off Kelburn Parade and drive down the hill and up past the circular building to a car park behind the Cotton Building.

6.30–7pm Refreshments

7–8pm PIRM Annual General Meeting – www.pirm.org.nz

ends

© Scoop Media