Programme Updates
Moving Towards Sustainable Security
The new stand-alone sustainable security website - http://sustainablesecurity.org - has had around 2000 visits originating in 74 countries since its September 11th launch. The site intends to be an important platform for promoting a better understanding of the real threats to global security in the 21st century and the policies that should be implemented to address those threats at their root cause. We would welcome any suggestions for articles, content or improvements to the site. Please contact Tom Phipps - thomas.phipps@oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk - with suggestions.
Recording Casualties in Armed Conflict
The last month has been very busy and productive for the RCAC project.
On the 14th September, the RCAC team hosted a seminar for doctors on the topic of casualty recording and the RCAC project. After John’s introduction to the subject we had very interesting talks from Dr Madelyn Hicks (KCL) on casualty recording and public health in conflict, and from Dr Suppiah Ratneswaren (Tamil Information Centre) on the situation in Sri Lanka - casualty recording’s current front line. These presentations were followed by a discussion in which great enthusiasm and energy for the subject was evident, and a reception at which we believe we made useful contacts for the future of the project.
On the 23rd September, the RCAC’s global Practitioner Network met for the first time via PC-based videoconference, a cheaper and greener alternative to in-person meetings, which we shall be using again. Despite major technical hitches we had a productive meeting, which we believe made a useful and encouraging start to Network business. We discussed future activities and matters of casualty recording practice, and worked on a joint communiqué of the Network, which will be finalised and distributed by the end of the month. Everyone who participated remarked on how good it was to see others face to face for the first time. The software was also used to hold the fourth meeting of the RCAC’s International Advisory Board on the same day.
Lastly, the RCAC project was mentioned in the New York Times’ “Idea of the Day” blog, who had picked up on John Sloboda’s recent article for openDemocracy on the subject.
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