An early evening Round Table discussion, followed by dinner developed with the support of General Sir David Richards, CDS designate, who will be active throughout the proceedings.

Recent history, both in Iraq and now in Afghanistan makes the fundamental importance of strategic communications absolutely clear.  In its absence, or if it is conducted poorly, the task of influencing key audiences in support of national objectives is impossible.  Only through engagement with key audiences can countries such as the United Kingdom gain and maintain the support of populations of countries where counter-insurgency and irregular warfare have to be conducted.  Strategic Communications is equally important in maintaining support in the countries that provide the military manpower, civilian assistance and monetary contributions, without which successful campaigns are impossible.  When countries are confronted by wars of choice the ability to make clear what is being done and why is absolutely essential.  Over Afghanistan, especially, clear strategic communications are particularly difficult and the task is made no easier by the fact that whatever can be said about the military objectives, it is very difficult to articulate the political objectives and how they can be used to stabilise the country.

During the course of an evening and dinner discussion, General Sir David Richards co-chairs a round table discussion involving international broadcasters and journalists of huge experience, who examine the changing media landscape and its impact at home and abroad, including an assessment of the strategic communications strategy conducted by governments.  The discussion is then joined by military, political and other specialists to explain the importance of strategic communications to the delivery of success in operational environments.  Using the conflict in Afghanistan as a starting point, providing as it does a wealth of material from which lessons can be learnt, it is our intention, to take the discussion beyond the immediate challenges and discuss the implications for long term planning (20 years +) that will emerge from the SDSR (a dimension also relevant to the dinner discussion) 

The evening concludes with a dinner discussion on the delivery of successful outcomes and the lessons for the future.  It is clear that the UK and its allies will face further demands for action in this most uncertain world.  Successful strategic communications will be essential if the country considers active military engagement.

This forum will interest defence, communications and other organisations, whether they are specialists in strategic communications or have an interest in making sure that the military receive the largest possible amount of support in their operations, in often fearsomely difficult environments, where the time to address shortfalls is only briefly available.

Costs
Standard Fee: £480 + VAT @ 17.5% £516
Public sector fee: £240 + VAT @17.5% £282