Image of Professor Rose and Stephen Twigg in Conversation

Has the UK's aid commitment advanced the sustainable development goals? A conversation with Stephen Twigg

On 23 January 2020, former MP and Chair of the International Development Select Committee, Stephen Twigg, came to the Intellectual Forum to talk about Sustainable Development Goals with Pauline Rose, Professor of International Education and the Director of the Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Centre in the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge.

Twigg, who served as the Labour MP for Enfield Southgate for 8 years and Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Liverpool West Derby from 2010-2019, spoke about his time in Parliament and about his experience from June 2015 as the Chair of the International Development Select Committee, which scrutinised the work and spending of the Department for International Development. Across the evening, Twigg explored a wide range of issues on topics such as development, education and the future of the UK's role in the world.

The event began with Professor Rose putting a number of questions of her own to Twigg, asking him about the International Development Committee's work, the Leave No One Behind report, and influence on the Department for International Development. The audience was then invited to pose their own questions, challenging Twigg on topics such as education for children in developing settings, and what the future might hold for the Department for International Development following the 2019 election results and in light of Brexit. The event covered a host of hot-button topics, while Twigg set out his hopes for the UK in furthering the Sustainable Development Goals going forward.

After the event, Twigg said: "It was a real pleasure to join Professor Rose and the Jesus College Intellectual Forum for an evening of lively discussion about the Sustainable Development Goals. There was a broad range of stimulating questions on topics ranging from education for children in crises to the role of private sector contractors in the development, and the future of the Department for International Development. I am grateful to everybody who attended for a constructive and friendly conversation which could easily have continued for another hour".