Ciaran Henderson   |   Communications

Here is a speech I had hoped to contribute to the Britain in the World debate – but unfortunately I didn’t get chosen for what turned out to be one of the most hotly contested line-up of speakers from the floor..

Good Morning Conference!

This week we have heard both our own Ministers and leaders of European sister parties, commend the work which our Prime Minister, and our Labour Government have achieved on the International Stage.

Our leading role in Europe enables us to shape and share the vision of a united, empowered, economic and social Union, which has the collective power to influence global trade, policy and wider co-operation. A vision which is underpinned by the only legally binding system of Human Rights in the world!

I have a special relationship with America because my sister, father and Guyanese cousins live there – and so I was delighted for them when it sterted to look like a black American might lead their nation, I was delighted for America when they elected him to office, and I was delighted for the world when Barack Obama stood forward with the conviction to rewrite the rules, and prioritise innovation, international co-operation and equality of opportunity. Priorities that I know are shared by every person here today.
Our Labour values are not limited to improving the conditions of the most unfortunate here in Britain – we work for an improvement in the lives of all those around the world who suffer daily from scarcity of resources. Scarcity caused by unequal levels of development – and scarcity caused by natural disasters, as our global climate changes.

So I welcome legislation for 0.7% to be spent on International Development, and I wholeheartedly support our government’s pledge for Copenhagen, but Conference, it is not only our Carbon Footprint which we need to think about.

Millions of people around the world do not have access to safe, clean, drinking water. Water scarcity is one of the effects of climate change which we do not have to imagine – it is with us today.

Therefore, I urge you all to think about your Water Footprint. This is not simply the amount of water you use to brush your teeth and run a bath – but also the 90% of global freshwater consumed by agriculture. When we import produce from water scarce countries, WE are drinking their water. Yet the good news is, your informed consumer choice can change this.

So from now on.. Watch Your Water Footprint!!

It was well worth dragging myself into the Conference Centre this morning for an 8am International Breakfast, hilariously chaired by Neil Kinnock, and featuring Glenys Kinnock (Minister of State for Europe), Baroness Ashton (UK’s European Commissioner), and Michael Cashman MEP. Political and business visitors from many developing countries attended, and prompted a lively discussion on the effects and implications of EU/global trade & aid policies, including the benefits of the Doha Development Round of current WTO trade-negotiation, lowering international trade barriers.

For me, I think this was the highlight of my Conference week, because I had the chance to speak directly to Baroness Ashton, who is Peter Mandelson’s successor in Europe, about the subject I wrote my Master’s thesis about. Virtual Water: the quantity of water used to create global traded produce, which could potentially be saved by water scarce importing countries avoiding water consumption for domestic products, but which must be supported to strengthen their ability to purchase using foreign currency. I was delighted when she invited me to contact her office with more information.

Bravo!!

Alcinoo & Bruno got married at Hackney Town Hall today. It was a really sweet ceremony filled with funky folks from their homelands of Italy & Brazil – then off to Vortex Bar in Dalston where we ate, drank, made merry and had a fabulous impromptu show from the Hackney Girls’ Street Dance Troup, who were practicing in the square all afternoon. The highlight was Brazillian coctails and a Cake Buffet!!

Sadly I had to leave early and hotfoot down to Brighton for the first exciting evening of the Labour Conference, where a London Delegate reception promised intimate contact with our magnificent Cabinet Ministers )

I have been accepted on a PhD course at Uni of Westminster, however I have not been successful with my application for a studentship after having been shortlisted for an interview.

What I have really learned from this process is the value of a precisely tuned question, with a clear remit and achievable scope.

So the true benefit goes to my Master’s thesis, which has transformed overnight from a vague question about the discourse over water disputes, to a study contrasting specific concepts involved in negotiating river basin projects.

Have finally joined twitter…
its been a mind-expandingly lazy bank-holiday of twittle-chatter!

Amy Meadows organised a really lovely Valentines’ reunion for a gaggle of girls from my year at school, with our other halves and mini-me’s – it really was a sight to behold.

Gorgeous Girlie Gaggle

We had a pot-luck lunch – very brave of amy to have 30 people coming for a meal and nothing on the cooker but a casserole – which turned into a sumptuous feast as more people arrived with goodies. It was a real treat to see beloved school friends with their children, especially a few who I hadn’t seen since I left.. 15 years ago!

Muddy - Dusty

Our two new playmates arrived today. They are very tiny and a little bemused, but we are going to love them as best as we are able. We have given them a cosy bed, a deluxe litter tray and will put rescue remedy/ flower essences in thier water until they settle into their new home.

My cousin James married his long-time sweetheart today at a beautiful civil cermony in Wimbledon… In their own words – about bloody time! Surrounded by family & friends, in the gorgeous setting of Cannizaro House, it was a wonderful wedding-day spectacular.

Today I joined David Richbell and 4 other mediators in giving a training presentation to the Treasury Solicitors Office. We were all involved in a role-play demonstration of a workplace/ redundancy dispute, which David mediated.

The presentation was a great success, and the attendees were stimulated to learn a new approach. For me, it was also a useful opportunity to network with some experienced International & Commercial mediators – unearthing a surprising number of close connections with colleagues of mine.

I’m finally starting my LLM International Commercial Dispute Resolution – Masters at Law degree.

The University of Westminster is 20 mins walk from my house which is great, and I have a series of lectus to Induct me to the Masters programme, my course, study of Law, and the University facilities.

It all seems to be really well organised – with the LLM students gathered in the main hall for 3 days of presentations covering every aspect of what we need to know.

A lovely coincidence on the first day, found me sitting next to one of the 15 other people on my individual course – a French Law graduate, called Marie.

This is a very exciting day and I’m really excited!