The International & Security forum looked at the global challenges facing the UK. It considered a range of issues from international threats such as terrorism, to the future of UK foreign policy, following the global financial crisis. It also discussed the outcomes of the London Summit and the country’s relationship with the EU.

Chaired by Brian Duggan
Brian grew up in Derry in Northern Ireland and became involved in student politics during his undergraduate degree. In his final year at the University of Warwick he was elected as Education Officer and Deputy President of the Students' Union.

During his year in office, he was elected as President of the Students' Union and chaired the Students' Unions of the Russell Group.

Leaving student politics, he was appointed as the Campaigns Officer for the European Parliamentary Labour Party and has been working closely with the Labour Party, the Party of European Socialists and the Socialist Group in the European Parliament on the 2009 European Elections.

Alongside this he has been studying for an MSc in Politics and Government in the European Union at the LSE.

Vice Chair, Marie-Noelle Loewe
Marie grew up in Germany and moved to the UK two years ago. She has studied in Germany, France and Italy and holds a Masters Degree in Sociology from the University of Muenster.

Before moving to London, Marie interned amongst others for the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Berlin and the social project “Leka Gape” in Lulekani, South Africa amongst others.

Before starting her current role as a parliamentary researcher to the Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt MP, she was a Project Assistant at the Friedrich-Ebert Foundation

Marie has worked closely with Patricia on the next Labour Manifesto on Europe and is a contributor to the newly launched Labour women blog: www.labourwomen.blogspot.com

Meeting notes

Download the meeting notes from all four of the forum's 2009 meetings:

Meeting one - Tuesday 21st April 2009
Meeting two - Tuesday 9th June 2009
Meeting three - Monday 22nd June 2009
Meeting four - Monday 6th July 2009