OxMEND Society is honoured to host Dr Rula Hardal, Co-Executive Director of A Land for All, to share her vision and work toward peace in the region.

🗓️ Tuesday, 21 October
🕢 19:30 (refreshments from 19:15)
📍New College, Oxford (exact location will be sent to registered participants)

Register here:
https://forms.gle/AjhBeRqzVmnWjb949

All are welcome!

🌀

The Oxford Conservative Thought (OCT) Reading Group is a non-partisan group devoted to academic exploration of small-c conservative political thought. We welcome, and actively encourage, viewpoint diversity and constructive engagement across ideological divides (all good-willed participants are welcome!)

Each week we read one assigned text, and we recommend more for anyone who is very keen!

Week 2 focuses on conservative critiques of liberalism, with a reading from Patrick Deneen

Find our reading list here:

--> https://bit.ly/OCTMT25

Drawing on Amitav Acharya’s new book, which argues that world order is not the monopoly of any civilization or nation, the panel will discuss three key questions: Firstly, has world order been a shared creation, as the book argues? Secondly, will the end of Western dominance be a “good or bad thing,” ? And finally, what might be the shape of the “next” world order -- a return to multipolarity or bipolarity, a revival of US hegemony, a world order of regions, or a “multiplex” world?

Quantum computing is emerging as a transformative technology with profound implications for global security, strategic competition, and international order. This panel brings together experts in quantum science, strategy, and international relations to examine the meaning of quantum supremacy beyond its technical definition. We will explore how quantum intersects with classical IR theory—shaping deterrence, balance-of-power dynamics, alliance cohesion, and technological governance.

Africa faces an annual financing gap of over $200 billion to meet its infrastructure and growth ambitions. Bridging this gap requires not only capital, but the right frameworks to channel it effectively. In this high-level conversation, H.E. Javier Niño Pérez, EU Ambassador to the African Union, and Distinguished Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, Chair of Nigeria’s Senate Finance Committee, will explore how Europe and Africa can jointly unlock sustainable investment at scale.

Despite widespread acceptance of the importance of conflict sensitivity, particularly in contexts of crisis, there has been a surprising lack of critical discussion of the framework and its application. This book fills this gap by bringing together articles, practice notes and reflections from conflict sensitivity academics and practitioners. It provides a platform for debate, highlighting strengths, areas for improvement and practical guidance for real- world application, based on 25 years of practice and innovation.

Join us for a panel discussion exploring the revolution in artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons systems in national security. Panelists will explore how frontier and other advanced AI models are reshaping autonomous targeting while examining their technical, strategic, and legal-ethical dynamics. Panelists will discuss the advantages and risks of AI-driven speed and deception, the challenges of maintaining accountability and control, and the evolving frameworks of proportionality, distinction, and human oversight that will define the future conduct and governance of conflict.