Edinburgh's series of free lectures, The Edinburgh Lectures, will return to the Capital this year, addressing a range of major public issues in a national and international context.
Beginning on 1 October 2009, the theme for the 2009/10 series is 'Making Scotland', focusing on "how physical, political, commercial and cultural issues shape our country and its people and Scotland's role on the global stage".
The series commemorates a number of anniversaries, including the 10th anniversary of devolution, the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth, the centenary of the Women's Suffrage Movement in Edinburgh.
Among speakers this year are Edinburgh International Film Festival director Hannah McGill, celebrated Scots artist and playwright John Byrne and world-renowned geologist and oceanographer Professor Dorrik Stow of Heriot Watt University.
The Edinburgh Lectures kick off on 1 October at the City Chambers, with a lecture on women's efforts in keeping peace and equality on the agenda. This talk coincides with the Gude Cause centenary celebrations being held in Edinburgh to mark 100 years since British women won the right to vote.
Other highlights in the line-up include Eric Booth, a member of President Barack Obama's culture team, who will give a talk on 'The Brass Tacks of a 21st Century Culture'; and HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal, with a lecture entitled 'Inching Towards Peace: A New International Humanitarian Order'.
Lord Provost George Grubb said: "Since 1992, The Edinburgh Lectures have provided a platform for prestigious speakers to address issues of national and international significance. We're delighted to have created a stunning line-up of speakers for this year's "Making Scotland" series, which will focus on how physical, political, commercial and cultural issues shape our country and its people and Scotland's role on the global stage."
First launched in 1992, The Edinburgh Lectures take place throughout the autumn and winter and are open to the public. The Scottish Government, a key partner in the lectures series, will also be hosting an Edinburgh Lecture, details of which are currently being finalised. More information will be posted on the Scottish Government's and The Edinburgh Lectures' websites in due course.
The lectures are led by the Council and presented in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh Napier University, Queen Margaret University, the Open University in Scotland, National Museums Scotland, the Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Government and The Royal Society of Edinburgh.
The full programme and booking details can be found at: www.edinburghlectures.org.