Monday 24 July 2006, 6.00pm to 8.00pm

Venue: Committee Room 16, House of Commons, Westminster, SW1A 0AA (Access via St Stephen's entrance)

The Foreign Policy Centre will host an event to discuss viable prospects for state building and peace in Somalia. The country has witnessed renewed violence surrounding the Union of Islamic Courts' takeover of Mogadishu, confirming that the solution to the world's perennial 'failed state' remains far from clear. Kofi Annan this week called for a "comprehensive, workable and verifiable ceasefire and a programme of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration" of armed groups - but attempts at peacebuilding and state reconstruction have been inchoate and of doubtful success. George Bush at the same time voices concerns that Somalia is becoming an "al-Qaeda safe haven". As 'failed state' meets the 'war on terror', defining and responding to Somalia is now of critical importance.

Host:

Kerry McCarthy MP

Speakers:

Rt Hon Alun Michael MP

Dr Stig Hansen, Bath University

Awale Kullame, Civil Rights Campaigner

Desmond Curran, Department for International Development (TBC)

Amina Ali, Political Researcher, House of Lords

Karin Christiansen, Overseas Development Institute

Chair:

Philip Fiske de Gouveia, Foreign Policy Centre

Please RSVP to Laura Kyrke-Smith: pubdip[at]fpc.org.uk

T +44 20 7388 6662 or F +44 20 7388 8896

Please note that places at the seminar are limited

Please allow additional time for routine security checks upon arrival at the Palace of Westminster