IDEAS Conferences

Held in candlemas of 2018 and 2017, the IDEAS conferences were the foundation of bringing original thoughts and sparking debates into the St Andrews community.

Playing by the rules: Ethics & Investment

THE CONFERENCE EXPLORED THE MULTIFACETED IDEA OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY THAT VARIOUS BUSINESSES CARRY.

With there being a decrease in global economic growth over the last few years and an increase in public sensitivity towards sustainability and social responsibility, the aim was to determine how investing can evolve to find a balance between creating a more sustainable future for the planet, and at the same time maintain upward economic progress.

Speakers:

Colin Welsh- International Partner with SCF Partners; previously served as Head of International Energy Banking at Simmons and Company

John Ditchfield-Chair of the Ethical Investment Association; Partner at Castlefield Financial Advisory

Laurel Hurst- Managing Director of Central and Eastern European, Middle Eastern and African Debt Capital Markets Group for JP Morgan

Democracy or Instability? Populism's Challenge to Globalisation

The recent Scottish Independence Referendum, Brexit campaign, and the looming US presidential election have all featured undertones of populist rhetoric; a battle against control by ‘the establishment’ has fuelled national movements around the world condeming 'globalization' as the source of many social problems.

People are making their voices heard for a less interdependent world – but at what cost? What do these trends mean for businesses? How will the UK government behave post-referendum?

Speakers:

Ms. Catherine Stihler- Member of European Parliament and Rector of the University of St Andews

Sir Geoffrey Nice- Barrister

Mr. George David- Former CEO of United Technologies Corp.

Dr. Ben Sachs- Lecturer in Philosophy, University of St Andrew