Irish Lessons for the New Scotland - Wendy Alexander, MSP to deliver first major public lecture sinc

Wendy Alexander, MSP to deliver first major public lecture since her resignation

The Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies at the University of Aberdeen will next week (Tuesday 29 October, 6pm) welcome Wendy Alexander, MSP to deliver her first major public lecture since her resignation in May 2002.

In her lecture Irish Lessons for the New Scotland, at the Regent Lecture Theatre, King's College, the former Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning will explore what Scotland can learn from Ireland. With the future of devolved power in Northern Ireland hanging in the balance, and Scotland's ambitions to emulate Ireland's economic and cultural fortunes remaining high on the political agenda, the event promises to provide a thought-provoking insider's view.

Keynote speaker Wendy Alexander, MSP, said: " There has been significant traffic in ideas between Scotland and Ireland since the age of the Saints. In our age of statistics there are lessons to be learnt, but these are as much about changing our psyche as it is about our policies."

Mike Russell, MSP, the SNP spokesperson on Culture, Children and Education will respond to Wendy Alexander's lecture on Irish Lessons for the New Scotland.

The public lecture will be chaired by leading historian, Professor Tom Devine, Director of the Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies at the University of Aberdeen. Professor Devine said: "The Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies at Aberdeen aims as part of its strategy to bridge the gap between academe and public policy in Scotland and Ireland. We therefore look forward to an evening of vigorous discussion involving two of Scotland's most high profile thinkers."

Tickets for the event are still available. Free admission to the public debate is by advance reservation only by contacting Rachel Hughes at the Research Institute of Irish and Scottish Studies on (01224) 273683.