David Cameron is coming to Brown!
Only eight months after leaving the post of British Prime Minister, David Cameron is coming to speak at Brown University on March 20. His focus? The future of the European Union, Britain's position in the world post-Brexit, and the rise of populism around the world.Cameron, who served as Prime Minister for six years (2010-2016), will share his unparalleled knowledge and experience on European, as well as international, affairs in a lecture entitled “Contemporary Global Challenges: Where Do We Go From Here?” Students and other Rhode Island citizens will be able to speak to Cameron directly in a question and answer session, moderated by Brown President Christina Paxson P'19, after the lecture.The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required; they officially sold out on February 22. Brown University has described the security measures that will be in place to assure Cameron's safety, including the requirement of photo IDs and the barring of bags and laptops. Only those in possession of a ticket will be given the exact location of the lecture.
What's so important about David Cameron? Other than the fact that he was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (one of the United States' key allies), he is the youngest Prime Minister in two decades. Cameron led Britain's first coalition government--wherein several political parties work together, preventing one party from dominating the others--in 70 years.As Prime Minister, Cameron not only worked to fix the UK's struggling economy and protect the nation's healthcare system, but also introduced a national living wage. On the topic of global affairs, Cameron has developed foreign policies that target the challenges posed by worldwide revolutions and the growth of certain powers, including Russia, while emphasizing Britain's role in the battle against ISIS.Why isn't Cameron Prime Minister anymore? To put it simply, he resigned after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. “For me, politics has always been about public service in the national interest,” Cameron said on his final day. “It is simple to say but often hard to do.”Cameron is far from done with his activism and political action, despite his departure from government. His issues of choice are promoting British medical research, overseeing international development, and supporting young people. There is much for Cameron to do; he is chairman of patrons at National Citizen Service, the youth development program of the United Kingdom, and President of Alzheimer’s Research U.K.Tune in on March 20 to hear what Cameron has to say about European politics, the spread of populism (and its consequences), and more.Images via and via
