A Conversation about the Edinburgh Conversations
18th September 5:45 PM – 7:15 PM BST
The Edinburgh Conversations, which took place between 1981 and 1988 under the auspices of the University of Edinburgh, played a significant role in easing tensions between East and West at the time of the Cold War.
Exactly 40 years ago, in September 1984, the fourth set of Conversations took place in Moscow. Held alternately in Edinburgh and Moscow, the Conversations brought together senior academics, diplomats and military officials from the Soviet Union, the United States and the United Kingdom. The key figure was the Professor of Defence Studies at the University of Edinburgh, Professor John Erickson, a leading expert on the Soviet military, who was held in equally high esteem in the Kremlin and in the Pentagon. Another key figure was Michael Westcott, a senior administrator at the University, who acted as Secretary to the Conversations and without whose tireless efforts behind the scenes, the Conversations might never have succeeded.
In this event, Retired US Air Force Colonel Fred Clark Boli, who undertook his PhD at the University of Edinburgh and who worked closely with Professor Erickson during the Edinburgh Conversations, was formerly US Department of Defense representative to the Conversations and an expert on Russian affairs, will be in conversation with John Sturrock KC, also a graduate of the University and now one of the UK’s leading mediators, who was a close friend of Michael Westcott and who assisted him in the Conversations and has access to his private papers about them.
From their personal knowledge, our conversationalists will discuss what happened in the Edinburgh Conversations, how they were conducted and why they were successful. They will contemplate, in the context of the current global situation, what might be done in 2024 to replicate the approach, focusing on the process, personalities and relationships which sustained the initiative and how these same ideas might be applicable today, exploring underlying themes such as hosting, hospitality and humility at times of hostility, distrust and suspicion.
The photo in the title card shows Professor John Erickson (front right) and a group of participants in the Conversations in the mid eighties. Courtesy of John Sturrock, circa 1986.
About the Conversationalists
Dr Fred Clark Boli, Colonel, US Air Force, Retired, was educated at the US Air Force Academy and the University of Notre Dame, majoring in Soviet Studies. He served in the US Air Force and was decorated with the Silver Star for Gallantry, the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross twice. He was Assistant Air Attache in the American Embassy in Moscow from 1976-1978 and thereafter Squadron Commander of the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing and Chief of the Pacific-East Division of the US Air Force.
He was a Post-Graduate Fellow at the Department of Defence Studies at the University of Edinburgh in 1985-1986 and participated in the Edinburgh Conversations from 1985 until their conclusion in 1989. He served as a Deputy Director and Military Assistant in the Office of the Secretary of Defense from 1986-1992. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1995 with a PhD in Russian History.
John Sturrock graduated with a First Class Honours degree in law from the University of Edinburgh in 1980, where he was Senior President of the Students Association. Following a career at the Scottish Bar, he moved into the field of conflict resolution. As founder and senior mediator at Core Solutions, John is recognised as one of the leading mediators in the UK, with an international reputation. He is identified as a Global Elite Thought Leader by Who’s Who Legal, is a Distinguished Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators and has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Edinburgh.
In 2019, John conducted a well-received review for the Scottish Government into allegations of bullying in NHS Highland. He was a member of the Stewarding Group of the first Citizens Assembly in Scotland and is a founder of Collaborative Scotland, an initiative to encourage respectful dialogue in Scottish politics and public affairs, In 2022, he published the second volume of his book entitled A Mediator’s Musings.
Additional Information
Entry will be via the Edinburgh Futures Institute south entrance on Porters Walk (opposite Tribe Yoga).
This event will be photographed/recorded, and may be used for future marketing, promotional or archive purposes. If you would prefer not to be photographed/recorded, please let us know at the event.
