George Alagiah to visit University

The event on Friday, 30 April 2010 is open to all and will cover a range of topics including sustainability, international trade and engagement with Fairtrade.

The panel discussion, organised with Wolverhampton City Fairtrade Partnership, will take place at the Arena Theatre in Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, at 11am.

The panellists will include Dr Brian Shiplee, a University of Wolverhampton expert in Environmentalism and Sustainable Development, David Fulljames from Wolverhampton Fair Traid and Charles Jackson-Houlston, formerly of the Wolverhampton City Council Sustainability Unit.

Dean of Students, Jon Elsmore, said: “We are delighted to welcome George Alagiah OBE to the University, for what we hope will be an interesting discussion.

“George is one of the BBC’s leading foreign correspondents and I’m sure has many insights on international issues to share with us.

“The University held a number of successful activities during Fairtrade Fortnight in March, and we are hoping to keep up the momentum on International Fairtrade Day.”

George Alagiah has reported on events ranging from the genocide in Rwanda, the plight of the marsh Arabs in southern Iraq and civil wars in Afghanistan, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Somalia. He is a specialist on Africa and the developing world, and has interviewed, among others, Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan and President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.

Following on from the panel discussion Mr Alagiah will be meeting representatives from the City Fairtrade Partnership and Interfaith Group for lunch at the Mayor’s Parlour.

The event is open to University staff, students, school groups and members of the public.

Anyone who would like to attend is welcome to come along on the day, but if you would like to attend with a group of 10 people or more then please let us know in advance by contacting Sue Rapp at the University on 01902 323335 or e-mail: srapp@wlv.ac.uk  

Further information about Fairtrade is available at the Fairtrade Foundation Website: www.fairtrade.org.uk

ENDS

For media inquiries please contact Vickie Warren in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736

Picture: George Alagiah OBE

For more information please contact Vickie Warren in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736.