Lord Watson begins Global Transformations Lecture Series

04/04/2008

Lord Watson begins Global Transformations Lecture Series

Lord Watson of Richmond delivered the inaugural lecture in the Global Transformations series on Thursday April 3 with an engaging discussion of the global significance of the arrival on America's East Coast in 1607 of the three ships that carried the ideas and the language which would shape the modern world, planting the seeds of representative government, capitalism and the rule of law.

Professor Jos Hackforth-Jones, President, first warmly welcomed the students, staff, faculty and many guests from outside the university who filled every seat in the Taylor Library lecture hall. She explained that the Global Transformations series recognises that universities must put themselves at the heart of the changing role of education and understand, articulate and respond to global transformations.

As an international university with an intercultural mission, Richmond constantly seeks to understand and better explain these transitions.

Professor Hackforth-Jones then introduced the University's Chancellor, Sir Cyril Taylor, who described Lord Watson's distinguished career in business, the media and education, and highlighted his invaluable contributions as Trustee of Richmond.

Lord Watson's lecture combined historical descriptions of the journey of the English language across the Atlantic, with in-depth discussions of its far-reaching implications for the whole world plus fascinating anecdotes and inspired enthusiastic questions from the audience.

Tyler Stellman, a Richmond second year student, thanked Lord Watson on behalf of the audience, giving special mention to the importance of the international student body to Richmond's identity.

After the lecture, Lord Watson enjoyed a drink with Richmond students keen to further explore the issues he raised, and signed copies of his recent book, 'Jamestown: The Voyage of English'.

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