Conflict Resolution Workshop with Sir Tom Phillips – 22 April 2021

On Thursday 22 April, Forward Thinking held an online workshop with Sir Tom Phillips.  This meeting was the second in a new series of workshops focused on conflict resolution and international politics that have been developed by Forward Thinking in response to needs highlighted by young people with whom we work. The aim of these meetings is to ensure that those with whom we work that have an interest in conflict resolution are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to create positive change.  Discussion focused on the politics of the Middle East region, and Sir Tom Phillips provided his reflections on what he sees as the key fault lines in the region as well as his perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Sir Tom was also able to share his insights on the role of a diplomat within the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and share his ‘key tips’ for conflict resolution.  Following Sir Tom’s introduction, participants asked questions and provided their own insights. Topics discussed included the changing role of Saudi Arabia and Iran in the region and  prospects for a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine. The group were also able to relate this discussion to the previous workshop they joined with Oliver McTernan, in particular, thinking about the role of values and interests within foreign policy development.   Participants shared that they valued the opportunity to learn more about dynamics in the Gulf-MENA region, as well as to hear practical advice for negotiation and diplomacy.  Speaker Biography:  Sir Tom Phillips is a consultant, and a governance adviser with the UK government’s Stabilisation Unit. In his main career as a British diplomat, Tom’s postings included serving as Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as Ambassador to Israel, and as High Commissioner to Uganda.  Since retiring from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office he has also worked as Director of the Centre for the Study of Modern Slavery at St Mary’s University and Commandant of the Ministry of Defence’s Royal College of Defence Studies, as well as international adviser to the Prince’s Charities’ International Sustainability Unit, and adviser to the business intelligence company GPW Ltd.  Tom is a member of the Council of the Lord Kitchener National Memorial Fund; a member of RAND Europe’s Council of Advisors; a Trustee of the Youth Forward Initiative; and an Affiliate Member of Hull University’s Middle East Study Group. Tom’s publications include several articles on the Middle East.