Comment 040 November 1989

Page 1

King's College London newsletter

KI G'S WI S

ATIO AL DEFE CE BID

r Tom King, the ecretaryof tate for Defence, announced on 18 October in the Hou e of ommons debate on defence pending that, following a nationwide competition, the new Centre for Defence tudie is to be et up at King' College London. Thi pre tigiou new Centre will be led by Profes or Lawrence Freedman, Head of the Departmem of War Studie at King's. Such is the importance attached to this Centre that the University of London i actively con idering the possibility of the Centre becoming, in time, an In titute within the Univer ity. The purpose of the Centre will be to help stimulate and co-ordinate new thinking on East-West strategy, addressing the implications for Western defence of the recent developments in Eastern Europe and generally drawing together academic research on defence issues.

'The Centre is being set up at a time when the international environment is pa ing through a period of remarkable change. This provides both challenges and opportunities for policy-makers over the coming year. It i important for the academic community to help both policymakers and the wider public make sense of these changes, explore the implications for this country, and more generally Europe and the West, and idemify the range of option available by way of a policy re ponse,' he concluded. The Centre will provide a national focus for defence studies in a number of ways:... by maintaining a range of expertise

within the Centre on the core i ue of Briti h defence and ecurity policy and undertaking research on particular issues. ... by keeping in touch with the defen e community and commi sioning research from peciali ts. ... by accepting where appropriate, commi ions from Government, indu try, international organisations and any other intere ted bodie for research projects. Applications will be made to grant giving bodie for additional projects, where nece sary in conjunction with other members of the University or outside bodie . continued on page 16

Commenting on the Secretary of State's decision, Profes or Freedman said, 'London provides an ideal location. Outside the Univer ity and the Polyt~h足 nic ,there are the International In titute of Strategic Studies, the Royal In titute for Defence Studies, plus specialist journalists and commentators. It is possible to maintain close relations with Whitehall, Westmin ter and the media.' 'However: Professor Freedman continued, 'the University recognises that it is part of the Centre's task to provide a national focus for academic work in this area. When commissioning studies the Centre will not be confined to London. Indeed it will seek to maintain excellent international as well as national contacts.' :.:..... :.;.:

The Baroness Platt of Writtle. CBE, DL. FEng is pictured here giving The Chelsea Lecture in memory ofDr Malcolm Gavin. The Baroness gave a lively and stimulating lecture on why the science and engineering industries need to attract more women. 1


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Comment 040 November 1989 by King's College London - Issuu