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Dear colleagues (with ritual cross-posting apologies), An update on the conference programme for this previously advertised event, which is taking place here in Birmingham on 15th November (details below); and a reminder that pre-booking a place (by 10th November) is essential, please, so that we know how many people to find room for. Please follow the link indicated below to access the booking form, which needs to be returned to Katy Prakash, Events Assistant, [log in to unmask] We look forward to seeing you at the event, which, to reiterate, is open to all - as confirmed in my meeting last week with our co-organisers at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, where it was restated that the whole aim of the conference is to have a wide-ranging debate on any aspect of contemporary Russia, with a broad-based audience. In order to facilitate an open and frank exchange, we will be operating under the 'Chatham House Rule'. Steve Webber, Conference Chair THE BIRMINGHAM POLICY CONFERENCES SERIES ON CONTEMPORARY RUSSIA The University of Birmingham is delighted to announce the following unique policy conference, to take place in the Great Hall, 15 November 05: "Russia's Future: A discussion of policy priorities with leading Russian officials and analysts" Panellists - Professor Evgenii Gavrilenkov, Chief Economist, Troika Dialog; Pro-rektor of the Higher School of Economics, Moscow - Ambassador Vladimir Ivanov, Head of Information and Analytical Centre, Press and Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation - Mr Oleg Tsatsourine, Head of the Department of the Presidential Press and Information Office, Russian Federation - Professor Mark Urnov, Dean of Political Science at the Higher School of Economics; political commentator; former Head of the Analytical Department of the Presidential Administration, Russian Federation Presiding Chair: Dr Steve Webber, European Research Institute, Birmingham Discussants: - Sir Andrew Wood, British Ambassador to Moscow from 1995-2000 - Professor Neil S. MacFarlane, St. Anne's College, Oxford; Lester B. Pearson Professor of International Relations - John-Paul Smith, Head of Global Emerging Markets Investment at Pictet Asset Management Ltd UK ********************************************************************************************** The event is FREE and open to all. Please visit the Forthcoming Events page of the Centre for Studies in Security and Diplomacy - www.cssd.bham.ac.uk/events/ - and follow the links to view the programme and download the booking form. Advanced booking (by 10 November) is essential, and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis Please note that you have the option of attending individual sessions, or the whole event QUESTION TIME FORMAT: We invite participants to submit questions relating to any aspect of the conference themes, by email to [log in to unmask] (apart from such questions, there will naturally also be plenty of opportunity for questions from the floor on the day itself) Dr Steve Webber Conference Chair