2016 marks the centenary of the Sykes-Picot agreement between the UK and France, in which the two colonial powers split the Middle East among themselves to establish their respective spheres of influence. The consequences of this agreement are visible until this day, and contribute to ongoing conflicts in the region, with ISIS proclaiming “the end of Sykes-Picot” upon the creation of their “caliphate” across the border between Iraq and Syria in 2014. Yet, despite its repercussions in the Middle East to this day, the Sykes-Picot agreement is hardly known among the European public.

I'm organising this event because I think it important to talk about these topics nowadays in Europe but also because to help connect people from different backgrounds on the topic (civil society, academics, media, and policy makers) to reflect together on our responsiblities and ways forward in our relationship to our Middle Eastern neighbours.

Donations will help us cover hospitality expenses for our speakers and light catering for the event.

Panelists are:

Dr Peter Shambrook, a historian of British and French involvement in the Middle East with the Balfour Project.

Joey Ayoub, a Lebanese researcher from Beirut based in London, MENA editor at Global Voices, and founder of Hummus For Thought.

Filmmaker Sarah Beddington, director of the documentary Birds of the Air filmed in a refugee camp in Lebanon.

Ben Margolis, co-founder of charity The Grange, Norfolk, working with refugees, including from the Middle East.

Please help us spread the word, and attend if you can.