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 ESU - Scholarship
The English Speaking Union International
Relations Conference Contest 2008
Participants will be required to write approx.
150 words, “How International Relations can benefit Malaysia”
Prize :
Winner gets to attend
The English Speaking Union
International Relations Conference 2008
27 th – 2 nd August 2008 (Sunday – Saturday)
Oriel College, Oxford, United Kingdom
Inclusive of
- Airticket for one pax: Kuala
Lumpur/London/Kuala Lumpur
- Transfer : London/Oxford/London
- Lectures and visits as per conference
programme
- Accommodation and meals during the conference
Qualification and requirements:
- Age: 30 –35 years (but those as young as 22
fit in well)
- Competition is open to all Malaysians who are
members of The English Speaking Union of Malaysia. It is never too late
to become a member ! Membership fees is only RM30 per annum. Please
visit our website and submit us your membership application form.
- Please also include in your submission : Name
(as per I/C), I/C number, nationality, degrees and qualifications,
address, tel number (home, office and mobile), email address
- Closing date: 5th April 2008 (Saturday)
- All submissions should be sent to: ESU
International Relations Conference, English Speaking Union Malaysia,
Wisma BGAM, 15B Jalab SB Indah 1/18, Taman Sungai Besi Indah, 43300
Seri Kembangan or email to: info@esumalaysia.com.my
- For more information on ESU Malaysia, please
log on to http://www.esumalaysia.com.my
or call Tel: 03-8942 6278
Background on the conference:
The ESU International Relations Conference will
deal with a variety of issues relating to both International Relations
and to Britain’s international role in the world today. The aim of the
conference is to give participants the opportunity to expand their
knowledge of Britain and to widen their outlook on world issues.
It also offers a unique opportunity to make
individual contacts with people from various fields, cultures and
backgrounds.
In 2007, 34 delegates attended the conference and
they represented a total of 30 countries. The majority of delegates
were young professionals from the fields of trade and industry, law,
journalism, teaching and the diplomatic service.
During the week, four main topics will be covered
: International Relations, British Institutions, British Culture and
Education, the Developing World and International Trade and Industry.
Each session will take the form of a short lecture followed by a
comprehensive discussion involving all delegates. There will
also be a visit to a performance of Hamlet.
The conference is an annual event and has taken
place annually for over 40 years. The venue has traditionally been one
of the colleges in Oxford and in 2008, as in the last fourteen years,
it will be held in Oriel.
Previous speakers have included :
The Lord Watson of Richmond CBE
, Chairman, CTN Communications; Mr Edward Gould,
Deputy Chairman, The English-Speaking Union; Prof. Alan Lee
Williams OBE, Director, The Atlantic Council; Mark
Simmonds MP, Shadow Minister for International Development and
Ralph Land CBE, Chairman of the
Russo-Britain Chamber of Commerce.
Report on ESU International Relations
Conference 2008
by Tan Hui Theng,
winner of the Essay Writing Competition held in April 2008, organised
by the English Speaking Union of Malaysia.
My presence at the annual ESU International Relations Conference 2008
held at Oriel College, Oxford was made possible with generous and kind
sponsorship from ESU Malaysia, ESU London and the sponsors. The event,
which took place from 27 July to 2 August 2008, highlighted
issues on international relations in general and Britain’s
international role in the world today. A total of 26 delegates from 22
countries from Asia, South America and Europe exchanged their views and
cultures during the one-week conference. The delegates from different
background were professionals in different areas and their professions
ranged from teacher, lawyer, medical specialist and PhD student to
government officials and lecturers.
The conference started with Introduction and Opening Dinner by Katie
Brock, Head of International and Cultural Programmes, ESU on the first
day. Subsequent days were filled with lectures given by different
experts in their own fields including Sir Jeremy Greenstock GCMG,
(former British Ambassador to the United Nations in New York), Prof.
Alan Lee Williams OBE (Chairman, Sir William Beveridge Foundation),
Lord Watson of Richmond CBE (Chairman Emeritus, International Council
of the English-Speaking Union), Mr Ralph Land CBE (Chairman of
Trustees, British Consultancy Charitable Trust), Mr Edward Gould
(Deputy Chairman, English-Speaking Union) and Dr Alastair Niven
(Principal of Cumberland Lodge).
The speakers shared their knowledge on different topics including
Business and the Environment, Peace Keeping and Peace Enforcing,
International Development, Education in Britain, Parliament and the
Parties, The Status of the Arts, Eastern Europe and the EU and British
Legal System. Delegates were also given the chance to voice their
viewpoints and experiences during the lectures, thus making each
session more interesting and fruitful for everybody.
Apart from lectures, we were also brought to some interesting places in
Oxford in a tour on foot as most attractions in the university city
were located close to one another. On the fourth day, we visited
Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare steeped in
culture and history. Interesting landmarks in this town included the
Shakespearian properties which were sixteenth-century houses connected
with Shakespeare and his family and Shakespeare's Birthplace. We were
also lucky to be given the opportunity to watch a play titled Hamlet
which was based on the work of Shakespeare, England's greatest poet and
playwright.
We knew the great experience at the conference would come to an end
soon with the Closing Dinner held on Friday 1 August. Although it would
be the last dinner that the delegates would have together for the
event, we were happy to hear more about ESU from Mrs Valerie Mitchell
OBE, Director-General who was the Guest Speaker that night.
The conference allowed delegates to open their minds and mouths to
exchange views and share different values and rich cultures as they
learned not only about Britain, its systems and culture but also other
countries where the delegates were from. To me, the delegates were
little Ambassadors of their own countries whose presence complement the
objectives and missions of the event and ESU in general.
Report on ESU International Relations Conference 2008
by
Tan Hui Theng
View the
INTERNATIONAL SUMMER CONFERENCE REPORT BY NIK NURHIDAYATI
English Speaking
Union International Relations Conference Contest 2007
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