UK Minister Engages with AGDA Students on Justice and International Cooperation

The Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy welcomed senior UK officials for a discussion on victim support, combating violence against women and girls, and the role of international cooperation in advancing justice.

The Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy recently hosted a distinguished gathering centring on critical issues of international justice and human rights. Alex Davies-Jones MP, the UK Minister for Victims, Violence Against Women and Girls and International Justice, joined by Geraldine McCafferty, His Majesty’s Ambassador to the UAE, engaged with students enrolled in the Academy’s prestigious Postgraduate Diploma programme.

Presided over by Dr Rikard Jalkebro, Associate Professor at AGDA, the session provided a comprehensive exploration of support mechanisms for victims of crime, strategies to combat violence against women and girls, and the instrumental role of international cooperation in furthering the cause of justice. The forum enabled an in-depth discussion on approaches to these pressing global challenges, bringing together diplomatic expertise and emerging talent in the field.

Following the formal discussion, the session transitioned into an interactive question-and-answer component, affording students the opportunity to engage directly with the Minister and gain insights from his experience in these critical policy areas.

The visit proved particularly timely, occurring in advance of the Fifteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held in Abu Dhabi from 26th September to 1st October 2026. For AGDA students, the engagement offered invaluable perspectives from a serving UK minister on matters central to the Congress agenda, encompassing crime prevention, criminal justice systems and the rule of law.

This interaction underscores the Academy’s commitment to enriching educational experiences by facilitating direct engagement between students and international officials and experts. By connecting academic study with the substantive challenges and issues shaping the contemporary international agenda, AGDA continues to prepare its graduates for meaningful contributions to global governance and diplomacy.

Source: WAM