Paddy Ashdown Receives Honorary Degree from University of Greenwich
The University of Greenwich awarded an honorary degree to Paddy Ashdown today in recognition of his “huge achievements”.
The Rt Hon Lord Ashdown, former leader of the Liberal Democrats and governor of Bosnia between 2002 and 2006, is today a leading commentator on post-war reconstruction and international intervention for peace.
Recently in the news because Prime Minister Gordon Brown offered him the Cabinet post of Northern Ireland secretary, Paddy Ashdown published a book this year called “Swords and Ploughshares: Bringing Peace to the 21st Century” and has made a number of TV and radio programmes including a Channel 4 film on Jerusalem 40 years after the six day war. He grew up in Ulster and chairs the Strategic Review of Parading in Northern Ireland.
Eulogist Professor John Humphreys, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the university, spoke of his multiple careers as soldier, diplomat, politician, business man and commentator: “I began to think there were two or even three Paddy Ashdowns as it was difficult to see how one man could do so much.”
And he went on: “We are delighted and honoured that Paddy Ashdown has come to our graduation ceremony so that we can recognise his huge achievements. At the University of Greenwich we are proud of our diversity. Our 24,000 students represent all the major ethnic and cultural groups in the UK and worldwide. Our students come from 126 countries. It is appropriate then that we are today honouring a man who has brought to bear what he has learnt as a soldier, diplomat and politician to make such important contributions to peace, freedom from oppression and the resolution of conflict.”
Paddy Ashdown said it was a rare privilege to be a member of “this great university” and told students that tackling international terrorism, crime and pollution was the main challenge facing them: “The globalisation of power and problems is the greatest threat to us. Wherever power goes, governance must follow. The challenge for us is to bring governance to the global stage. If we can do that, we will live in less turbulent and more prosperous times.”
Paddy Ashdown received his degree alongside students graduating from the Business School in the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul at the Old Royal Naval College on the Greenwich campus. He was awarded the Doctorate of the University by the Rt Hon the Lord Holme of Cheltenham CBE, Chancellor of the University of Greenwich. He wore a gown of blue and gold damask silk and a Tudor-style academic bonnet in gold silk. Honorary degrees are awarded to individuals of distinction who have made a major contribution to the work of the university or who have earned prominence for activities associated more widely with education, business, culture, creative work and public service.
JPEG images of Paddy Ashdown at the award ceremony are available on request. Please contact:
Hester Brown
Press Officer
University of Greenwich
Tel: 020 8331 7663
hester.brown@gre.ac.uk