Panelists prepare to address questions from the audience at The Ismaili Centre Lecture Series. Photo: Ismaili Council for the United Kingdom.

A panel of notable academics and specialists assembled at The Ismaili Centre, London on Wednesday, 30 January 2008, to discuss the role of faith in post-conflict emerging states. The panel discussion was the first Golden Jubilee commemorative session as part of the 2008 Ismaili Centre Lecture Series. The session titled "Faith in Transition: Building the Post-Conflict Civil Society", was chaired by Allan Little of BBC News and featured discussion on the vicious cycle of conflict and poverty, as well as the importance of sustainable security, economic growth, transitional justice, and the notion of citizenship in post-conflict societies. The panel comprised of Mary Kaldor, Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of Global Governance at the London School of Economics and Political Science; Richard Holloway, Director of the Civil Society Programme at the Aga Khan Development Network; Dan Smith, Secretary General of International Alert; and Sir Nick Young, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross.

A member of the audience asks a question to the panel at The Ismaili Centre Lecture Series. Photo: Ismaili Council for the United Kingdom.

An audience of about 300 people - including government officials, diplomats, representatives of various faith groups and non-governmental organisations, as well as members of the Jamat - had the opportunity to pose questions to the panel and share personal experiences in post-conflict environments contributing to an evening of lively discussions.

The theme for the Ismaili Centre Lecture Series during the Golden Jubilee year and for the rest of 2008, is "Sharing the Narrative of Progress." The series aims to bring together specialists from various fields to explore pressing contemporary issues in a rapidly-changing global environment.