Earlier this year, when protests took place in Cambridge, and in other universities, senior ̽»¨Ö±²¥ figures engaged with the students involved on a regular basis over a period of months. Concerns were discussed during a constructive dialogue, and a joint statement was eventually agreed. This dialogue did not happen at many other universities. During the same period, members of Regent House proposed a Grace on divestment from the arms industry for consideration by the ̽»¨Ö±²¥ Council.
Earlier this year, when protests took place in Cambridge, and in other universities, senior ̽»¨Ö±²¥ figures engaged with the students involved on a regular basis over a period of months. Concerns were discussed during a constructive dialogue, and a joint statement was eventually agreed. This dialogue did not happen at many other universities. During the same period, members of Regent House proposed a Grace on divestment from the arms industry for consideration by the ̽»¨Ö±²¥ Council.
It was agreed that the ̽»¨Ö±²¥â€™s approach to investments in, and research funded by, the defence industry should be examined further. It was also agreed that a working group would be established to make recommendations to the relevant ̽»¨Ö±²¥ committees that oversee policies in relation to investments and research.
As a result, over the summer, plans for a working group were developed which reflected a broad range of relevant experience in order to take an evidence-based approach to such a very important issue. It was agreed that the group would include student membership. This proposal, including terms of reference for the working group, was presented to the ̽»¨Ö±²¥ Council for discussion in October and approved.
Whilst these steps were criticised by some, the ̽»¨Ö±²¥ Council has supported this significant step forward. Plainly, work of this complexity and scale takes time, and earlier timescales were optimistic.
On 25th November, the ̽»¨Ö±²¥ Council reaffirmed membership of the working group to explore the ̽»¨Ö±²¥â€™s relationship with the defence industry. ̽»¨Ö±²¥ for this group were also reaffirmed. This important work will now commence.
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