Past events
The Anglo-Malagasy Society hosts a diverse array of speakers. Below is a brief chronology of our events in recent years.
For dates and details of upcoming meetings, see our Forthcoming Events page.
For dates and details of upcoming meetings, see our Forthcoming Events page.
2024
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26 Jun 2024, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Celebrating Malagasy Poetry and Language on Madagascar's 64th Independence Day, Vao Brown explored the important role that poetry and language played in supporting the country's sociocultural drive towards independence. She spoke about her recent visit to the Rova royal palace in Antananarivo to see the dress of Princess Ramasindrazana – which the AMS helped to secure – and a chance meeting with Princess Fenosoa Ratsimamanga. Vao also performed some of her own poems, as well as a selection of those of important Malagasy poets. |
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23 Mar 2024, virtual meeting
The Society's very own Malagasy chef, Lilia Andrianavony, presented a virtual cookery class, while also discussing the culture around food in Madagascar. Attendees were invited to gather ingredients in advance so that they could cook along with Lilia in real time as she prepared a traditional dish. If you want to follow along with the video, you will need: a medium butternut squash; 5 cloves of fresh garlic; olive oil (not virgin); salt; chilli flakes; pork or chicken (optional); and peanuts (optional); as well as some rice to serve alongside. Chris Brown also showed a short video that he recorded at the recent Kew Gardens annual Orchid Festival, the theme of which for this year was Madagascar. |
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2023
9 Dec 2023, virtual meeting
Sculptor and AMS member Andrew Szymczyk shared his insights from a recent visit to Madagascar and took us through his sculpting process, while sharing his beautiful artistic representations of Madagascar’s fauna and flora. Andrew is an award-winning figurative sculptor based in London, who takes inspiration from the surrounding world, such as childhood memories or travels. He especially enjoys diving, which gives him access to the fascinating underwater world full of amazing and inspiring creatures, and many of his sculptures reflect the marine world around Madagascar.
Sculptor and AMS member Andrew Szymczyk shared his insights from a recent visit to Madagascar and took us through his sculpting process, while sharing his beautiful artistic representations of Madagascar’s fauna and flora. Andrew is an award-winning figurative sculptor based in London, who takes inspiration from the surrounding world, such as childhood memories or travels. He especially enjoys diving, which gives him access to the fascinating underwater world full of amazing and inspiring creatures, and many of his sculptures reflect the marine world around Madagascar.
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28 Oct 2023, St George's Bloomsbury, London
This daytime event wrapped up with a special tribute to the Society's esteemed President, Sir Mervyn Brown, who recently passed away at the grand age of 100 on 28 September. Many people shared their memories of his wonderful character and extraordinary life. But prior to that we heard three presentations and enjoyed a delicious Malagasy lunch, once again prepared by the fabulous Lilia's Kitchen. Representatives from Operation Fistula, in the form of their Founder & CEO Seth Cochran and Chief of Staff Helen Davies, presented an overview of their work in Madagascar revolutionising care for women suffering obstetric fistula – a devastating child birth injury that leaves them incontinent. Next up, David Fitiana Rakotomananjara, a Malagasy Chevening scholar who has just completed his MSc in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence at Bournemouth University, gave a short presentation about his experiences in the UK. After lunch, we heard from Chloe Lingard, founder of TSAP Travel, a new voluntourism organisation that describes itself as 'on a mission to ignite change, deliver impact and leave a legacy' in Madagascar. She screened excerpts from a documentary they have recently made, called Fihavanana. Recordings of the day's presentations – including Sir Mervyn's tribute – are available to watch online. |
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28 June 2023, St George's Bloomsbury, London
We were joined by David H Mould, Professor Emeritus of Media Arts & Studies at Ohio University, who travelled over especially from the States to launch his new book Mission to Madagascar: The sergeant, the king, and the slave trade (Blackwater Press). His talk brought to life the extraordinary character of James Hastie – the focus of this new biography – who, as an East India Company sergeant in 1817, embarked on a risky mission to travel to the court of the Merina king Radama I in the central highlands and persuade him to ban the export of slaves. David's book is dedicated to Sir Mervyn Brown, whom he credits with first encouraging him to begin researching Hastie. The full presentation is available to watch online. |
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25 March 2023, virtual meeting
Dr Megan Aylward, Bristol Zoological Society's Madagascar Conservation Project Manager, joined us to present an overview some of the important work being undertaken in the northwest of the island. Her talk will focused primarily on aye-aye genetics and conservation monitoring, and in particular how the remote DNA sampling method of genomics has helped in the understanding of lemur distribution and threats of recent forest fragmentation in Madagascar. The full presentation is available to watch online. |
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2022
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10 December 2022, virtual meeting
At the Christmas meeting, our key speaker was Nathaniel Adams, author of a new book, The Tragedy of Madagascar: An Island Nation Confronts the 21st Century (Chronos Books). Nathaniel examined why Madagascar has struggled to make significant progress since its independence, with a particular focus on the years since Marc Ravalomanana lost power to Andry Rajoelina. He is a US attorney who has been visiting Madagascar regularly since his student days, and in 2019 he spent almost nine months on the ground researching this book. After a lively Q&A, British Ambassador to Madagascar David Ashley summarised the embassy's ongoing work in Tana, then introduced four of the Malagasy Chevening Scholars currently studying in the UK, each of whom briefly introduced themselves. The full meeting is available to watch online. |
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29 October 2022, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Dr Maria Vorontsova from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, gave an overview of Kew's extensive activites in Madagascar, and then spoke in more detail about their grass and pasture projects. Charlotte Baker, founder and director of Small Steps for Africa, then joined the meeting via video link to explain about the important work her charity has been doing supporting projects in Madagascar in the decade since it was set up. We also enjoyed a screening of Tahiry Honko, a short film from Blue Ventures about a community mangrove carbon project in Madagascar.
Dr Maria Vorontsova from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, gave an overview of Kew's extensive activites in Madagascar, and then spoke in more detail about their grass and pasture projects. Charlotte Baker, founder and director of Small Steps for Africa, then joined the meeting via video link to explain about the important work her charity has been doing supporting projects in Madagascar in the decade since it was set up. We also enjoyed a screening of Tahiry Honko, a short film from Blue Ventures about a community mangrove carbon project in Madagascar.
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29 June 2022, St George's Bloomsbury, London
The speaker at our summer meeting was award-winning travel writer John Gimlette, who reflected on his experiences during several trips to Madagascar to research his latest book, The Gardens of Mars: Madagascar, an Island Story, which explores the history of the island. John signed copies of his book for those who wanted to buy one. The full presentation is available to watch online. |
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23 April 2022, virtual meeting
At the spring meeting, we were honoured to host two eminent speakers with longstanding connections to Madagascar. Prof Dame Alison Richard, who has been closely involved with the island for over 50 years spoke about ideas and findings from her recently published book The Sloth Lemur’s Song: Madagascar from the Deep Past to the Uncertain Present. But before that, Jamie Spencer, founder and Director of UK charity Feedback Madagascar, gave a detailed update regarding the ongoing relief efforts in the east-coast region that was hit by multiple devastating cyclones in February. British Ambassador to Madagascar, David Ashley, also gave a brief update on the embassy's recent work. The full meeting is available to watch online. |
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2021
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11 December 2021, virtual meeting
In our final event of 2021, the main speaker was Director of Madagasikara Voakajy Julie Hanta Razafimanahaka, who told us about her recent win of the prestigious Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa 2021. Environmental socio-economist Sarobidy Rakotonarivo reflected on how the recent COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow went from Madagascar's perspective. And we were joined live from the rainforest of Andasibe by another COP26 attendee, Vatosoa Rakotondrazafy, who is an advocate for local community conservation projects with particular expertise in marine conservation and ocean governance. British Ambassador to Madagascar, David Ashley, was the final contributor, giving his thoughts on COP26 and a comprehensive round-up of the current work of the British Embassy in Antananarivo. The full meeting is available to watch online. |
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30 October 2021, St George's Bloomsbury, London (AGM)
This event coincided with the start of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) being held in Glasgow, so the morning session focused on the impacts of climate change on Madagascar. AMS Chairman Chris Brown presented an overview of the topic then interviewed the Director General of Madagascar's National Environment Office (ONE) Rija Rakotoson in the morning session – a video recording of which is available to watch online. |
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This was followed by the screening of a new short film entitled Voices from the forest: Putting local people at the heart of decisions about forest conservation, which can also be seen here. The film, made by the project Forest4Climate&People, was released to coincide with COP26, where it was also shown.
In response to the reopening of Madagascar's borders following 20 months of Covid-related closure, travel writer and Society Secretary Daniel Austin hosted a short Q&A on the practicalities of travelling to Madagascar at this time. |
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After lunch, the former Vice President of the Ingénieurs Solidaires et Sans Frontières (IS2F) Léa Desplanques – who had travelled over from France especially for the meeting – gave a short presentation on a solar cooker and reforestation project in Ambohimanga. The day concluded with a talk by Cath Butlin, co-founder and Director of FAMadagascar, on her organisation's work to preserve families, tackle homelessness, prevent child abandonment and assist the Malagasy government in setting up a national foster care system. Both presentations are available to watch online.
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3 July 2021, virtual meeting
Following a brief update from British Ambassador David Ashley, speaking live from Antananarivo about some of the UK embassy's projects there, Rija Rakotoson took the floor for a talk entitled Preserving natural resources in a time of uncertainty in Madagascar. This explored the role of the National Environment Office (ONE), of which Rija is Director General, at a time when the pandemic and climate change have put unprecedented pressure on financial resources and natural capital in Madagascar. Rija is a former Chevening Scholar who studied his master's in Sustainable Energy & Environment at Cardiff University in 2015. A video recording of this meeting is available to watch online. |
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20 February 2021, virtual meeting
Our first meeting of 2021 focused on the recent London auction of historical artifacts relating to Queen Ranavalona III, which sparked much interest globally. Speaking on this subject were Kerry Taylor, the auctioneer who oversaw the sale, and Helihanta Rajaonarison, who is a teacher-researcher in History at the University of Antananarivo and co-founder of the Museum of Photography of Madagascar. The meeting concluded with a brief presentation by Elliot Fisher regarding his work on fire-resistant trees in the Malagasy highlands. A video recording of this meeting is available to watch online. |
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2020
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7 November 2020, virtual meeting
This meeting featured a screening of Kokoly, an award-winning short film about a Vezo fisherwoman and the changing marine environment in the southwest of Madagascar produced by the marine conservation NGO Blue Ventures. The film's editor, Matthew Judge, was on hand to answer questions. Environmental biologist Nina Finley also gave a presentation, entitled Collaborative Survival: How Protecting Madagascar's Rainforests Might Prevent the Next Pandemic. A video recording of this meeting is available to watch online. |
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2019
19 October 2019, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Adventurer Tiffany Coates brought to life her extraordinary three-month solo motorcycle exploration of Madagascar through an illustrated talk. Ecologist and entomologist Ashley Leftwich spoke about the links between India and Madagascar, in particular comparing and contrasting the fauna of the former Indo-Madagascar Plate. There were also talks from two Malagasy Chevening scholars: Lovatiana Rakotoniaina, who works as a GP back in Madagascar, spoke about improving diabetes care for children in Madagascar, while Miora Rakotoarimanana, a master's student of Food Security and Development, addressed the audience about the promotion of inclusive agricultural value chain in Madagascar.
Adventurer Tiffany Coates brought to life her extraordinary three-month solo motorcycle exploration of Madagascar through an illustrated talk. Ecologist and entomologist Ashley Leftwich spoke about the links between India and Madagascar, in particular comparing and contrasting the fauna of the former Indo-Madagascar Plate. There were also talks from two Malagasy Chevening scholars: Lovatiana Rakotoniaina, who works as a GP back in Madagascar, spoke about improving diabetes care for children in Madagascar, while Miora Rakotoarimanana, a master's student of Food Security and Development, addressed the audience about the promotion of inclusive agricultural value chain in Madagascar.
26 June 2019, St George's Bloomsbury, London
In a presentation entitled The Mirage of Democracy in Madagascar, Dr Brian Klaas – assistant professor in global politics at University College London and a columnist for the Washington Post – addressed the question of whether the country is really a democracy and why its political system is so vulnerable to coups and corruption.
13 March 2019, St George's Bloomsbury, London
This event took the form of a panel discussion, moderated by Paul Melly from Chatham House and entitled Can mining contribute to sustainable development in Madagascar? The Panelists were Gregg Smith (research analyst, Institute of Development Studies), Vola Parker (author of Rio Tinto: is it Equitable?), John Ffooks (Madagascar-based lawyer specialising in natural resources) and Yvonne Orengo (Director of the Andrew Lees Trust).
In a presentation entitled The Mirage of Democracy in Madagascar, Dr Brian Klaas – assistant professor in global politics at University College London and a columnist for the Washington Post – addressed the question of whether the country is really a democracy and why its political system is so vulnerable to coups and corruption.
13 March 2019, St George's Bloomsbury, London
This event took the form of a panel discussion, moderated by Paul Melly from Chatham House and entitled Can mining contribute to sustainable development in Madagascar? The Panelists were Gregg Smith (research analyst, Institute of Development Studies), Vola Parker (author of Rio Tinto: is it Equitable?), John Ffooks (Madagascar-based lawyer specialising in natural resources) and Yvonne Orengo (Director of the Andrew Lees Trust).
2018
27 October 2018, St George's Bloomsbury, London
The newly appointed Ambassador of Madagascar to the UK, Andry Bretino Raharinomena introduced himself and gave a short speech. Talks were given by Malagasy Chevening scholars Mino Koloina Rakotolehibe on the use of apps and mobile technology for education in Madagascar and Tsiori Rakotondratsito who spoke on the viability of tourists attending famadihana ceremonies. Daniella Rabino shared her research on the rural youth in Madagascar's southeast corridor. And Mirado Rakotoharimalala presented his thoughts on how to develop the Malagasy community through the medium of football.
27 June 2018, St George's Bloomsbury, London
The talk at this event was given by the Director of Akany Avoko Faravohitra, Hanta Randrianarimalala, about her experiences of reopening and running this children's home. She was accompanied by Irenee Rajaona-Horne, Director of Money for Madagascar, which supports the project.
14 March 2018, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Former British Ambassador to Madagascar, Timothy Smart, spoke about setting up the newly reopened embassy in Antananarivo in 2012 and his experiences during his five-year posting to Madagascar.
The newly appointed Ambassador of Madagascar to the UK, Andry Bretino Raharinomena introduced himself and gave a short speech. Talks were given by Malagasy Chevening scholars Mino Koloina Rakotolehibe on the use of apps and mobile technology for education in Madagascar and Tsiori Rakotondratsito who spoke on the viability of tourists attending famadihana ceremonies. Daniella Rabino shared her research on the rural youth in Madagascar's southeast corridor. And Mirado Rakotoharimalala presented his thoughts on how to develop the Malagasy community through the medium of football.
27 June 2018, St George's Bloomsbury, London
The talk at this event was given by the Director of Akany Avoko Faravohitra, Hanta Randrianarimalala, about her experiences of reopening and running this children's home. She was accompanied by Irenee Rajaona-Horne, Director of Money for Madagascar, which supports the project.
14 March 2018, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Former British Ambassador to Madagascar, Timothy Smart, spoke about setting up the newly reopened embassy in Antananarivo in 2012 and his experiences during his five-year posting to Madagascar.
2017
28 October 2017, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Jackie Sutter Randriantsoa spoke about her charity, Education for Madagascar, and its work to relieve child poverty, accompanied by Henry O'Byrne (President of Edu4Mad Junior Club) and Michel Sutter (IT project adviser and permaculture project head). Drs Alison Leaf and Emily Clark talked about a training programme in Madagascar called Helping Babies Breathe, which is aimed at providing all health care workers who attend births with the knowledge, skills and equipment to provide simple but life-saving resuscitation to newborn infants. Sam Rowley, a young British wildlife filmmaker, photographer and biology graduate, showed his short film Madagascar's Last Paradise which he shot in Masoala. It showcased the extraordinary lives of six species unique to the island.
Jackie Sutter Randriantsoa spoke about her charity, Education for Madagascar, and its work to relieve child poverty, accompanied by Henry O'Byrne (President of Edu4Mad Junior Club) and Michel Sutter (IT project adviser and permaculture project head). Drs Alison Leaf and Emily Clark talked about a training programme in Madagascar called Helping Babies Breathe, which is aimed at providing all health care workers who attend births with the knowledge, skills and equipment to provide simple but life-saving resuscitation to newborn infants. Sam Rowley, a young British wildlife filmmaker, photographer and biology graduate, showed his short film Madagascar's Last Paradise which he shot in Masoala. It showcased the extraordinary lives of six species unique to the island.
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28 June 2017, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Some of the fascinating and little-known history of Madagascar's national dog breed, the Coton de Tulear, was revealed in this presentation by Donna Kurtz. The star of the evening was Buddy Holly, a Coton de Tulear himself, who came along with owner Cathy Clarke. The full talk with slides is available for download as a PDF. |
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22 March 2017, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Dr Ian Conacher gave a talk on his travels that followed the 1862 explorations of Dr Charles James Meller, one of Dr Livingstone's doctors who would combine natural history with medicine.
Dr Ian Conacher gave a talk on his travels that followed the 1862 explorations of Dr Charles James Meller, one of Dr Livingstone's doctors who would combine natural history with medicine.
2016
22 October 2016, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Herizo Andrianandrasana spoke about the kinds of challenges faced by conservation projects, Andrew Cooke on the subject of small-scale mining projects in Madagascar, and Michael Rakotoarivony on the development of classical music in the country. Singer and musician Olga del Madagascar played songs from her latest album.
22 June 2016, St George's Bloomsbury, London (AGM)
This event featured two talks by Malagasy students from SOAS (the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London). Zohasina Razafinjatovo, who is a Chevening scholar of Law, Development and Governance, spoke on social development and inequality in Madagascar with a focus on governance and legislation, while Lalaina Randriarimanana, a student of Violence, Conflict and Development, presented on patterns of political participation in Madagascar.
30 March 2016, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Manchester medical students Hannah Russell, James Penney and Corty Linder talked about their first expedition to Madagascar, Madex 2015, to undertake a screening programme for schistosomiasis (bilharzia) in the remote district of Marolambo, as well as their plans for follow-up expeditions.
Herizo Andrianandrasana spoke about the kinds of challenges faced by conservation projects, Andrew Cooke on the subject of small-scale mining projects in Madagascar, and Michael Rakotoarivony on the development of classical music in the country. Singer and musician Olga del Madagascar played songs from her latest album.
22 June 2016, St George's Bloomsbury, London (AGM)
This event featured two talks by Malagasy students from SOAS (the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London). Zohasina Razafinjatovo, who is a Chevening scholar of Law, Development and Governance, spoke on social development and inequality in Madagascar with a focus on governance and legislation, while Lalaina Randriarimanana, a student of Violence, Conflict and Development, presented on patterns of political participation in Madagascar.
30 March 2016, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Manchester medical students Hannah Russell, James Penney and Corty Linder talked about their first expedition to Madagascar, Madex 2015, to undertake a screening programme for schistosomiasis (bilharzia) in the remote district of Marolambo, as well as their plans for follow-up expeditions.
2015
24 October 2015, St George's Bloomsbury, London
This event included not one but two book launches of conservation-themed titles about southern Madagascar – Life Amongst The Thorns: Biodiversity and conservation of Madagascar's spiny forest by Louise Jasper and Charlie Gardner and To Live with the Sea: The modern life of Vezo traditional fishers in southwest Madagascar by Garth Cripps. The authors of both titles gave illustrated talks, as did Rindra Rakotoarinjatovo, a Chevening scholar and master's student in Tourism, Environment and Development at Oxford Brookes University, who spoke on the prospects for ecotourism in Madagascar.
This event included not one but two book launches of conservation-themed titles about southern Madagascar – Life Amongst The Thorns: Biodiversity and conservation of Madagascar's spiny forest by Louise Jasper and Charlie Gardner and To Live with the Sea: The modern life of Vezo traditional fishers in southwest Madagascar by Garth Cripps. The authors of both titles gave illustrated talks, as did Rindra Rakotoarinjatovo, a Chevening scholar and master's student in Tourism, Environment and Development at Oxford Brookes University, who spoke on the prospects for ecotourism in Madagascar.
24 June 2015, St George's Bloomsbury, London (AGM)
Brian Zimmerman of ZSL London Zoo gave a delightful talk on the society's extraordinary efforts to save the Mangarahara cichlid or 'red girl' fish from extinction.
25 March 2015, St George's Bloomsbury, London
This event was a tribute to the late Dr Alison Jolly led by her husband Sir Richard Jolly and daughter Margaretta Jolly who, together with Hilary Bradt, evoked the pioneering spirit and humorous charm that Alison showed in her newly published conservation diaries Thank You, Madagascar.
Brian Zimmerman of ZSL London Zoo gave a delightful talk on the society's extraordinary efforts to save the Mangarahara cichlid or 'red girl' fish from extinction.
25 March 2015, St George's Bloomsbury, London
This event was a tribute to the late Dr Alison Jolly led by her husband Sir Richard Jolly and daughter Margaretta Jolly who, together with Hilary Bradt, evoked the pioneering spirit and humorous charm that Alison showed in her newly published conservation diaries Thank You, Madagascar.
2014
18 October 2014, St George's Bloomsbury, London
There were fascinating talks by Franco Andreone on the conservation strategy for amphibians in Madagascar; by Mialy Andriamahefazafy on the best future for environmental policy in Madagascar; and by a team of four Newcastle University zoology graduates – Rachel Blow, Jessica Fisher, Camilla Blasi Foglietti and Donna Marie Wintersgill – on their recent expedition to study lemurs in the Tampolo Forest; as well as music by Malagasy singer Olga del Madagascar.
There were fascinating talks by Franco Andreone on the conservation strategy for amphibians in Madagascar; by Mialy Andriamahefazafy on the best future for environmental policy in Madagascar; and by a team of four Newcastle University zoology graduates – Rachel Blow, Jessica Fisher, Camilla Blasi Foglietti and Donna Marie Wintersgill – on their recent expedition to study lemurs in the Tampolo Forest; as well as music by Malagasy singer Olga del Madagascar.
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25 June 2014, St George's Bloomsbury, London (AGM)
Vik Mohan of NGO Blue Ventures told the compelling story of their locally-led marine conservation programme, which started with an experimental temporary fishery reserve in 2004 and expanded into a network of community-managed marine areas. He showed a short film, The Freedom to Choose: Empowering communities to live with the sea, showing how Blue Ventures has worked to integrate reproductive health services into their initiatives. The evening also enjoyed live music by Fassio to help celebrate Madagascar's Independence Day. |
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26 March 2014, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Mijoro Rakotoarinivo, Palms Conservation Officer for the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, gave a fascinating illustrated talk on the diversity and conservation of Madagascar's palms, explaining that the extensive research by Kew's Madagascar team has raised the total number of known Malagasy species from around 20 to more than 200.
Mijoro Rakotoarinivo, Palms Conservation Officer for the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, gave a fascinating illustrated talk on the diversity and conservation of Madagascar's palms, explaining that the extensive research by Kew's Madagascar team has raised the total number of known Malagasy species from around 20 to more than 200.
2013
2 November 2013, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Naturalist and conservationist Toby Nowlan spoke about his time spent in the rainforest of Makira. Filmmaker John Brown – a key member of the team that produced the BBC's acclaimed three-part natural history series on Madagascar – introduced a screening of another of his programmes, Madagascar, Lemurs and Spies. Sir Mervyn Brown took the audience on a delightful and impressively informed journey through Madagascar in the 1960s, when he and his wife Beth arrived in the country for his appointment as British Ambassador. This event also featured live Malagasy music from Fassio.
26 June 2013, St George's Bloomsbury, London (AGM)
Angelo Spencer-Smith spoke about the role the inspirational charity ShelterBox has played in Madagascar to provide shelter, warmth and dignity following disasters such as Cyclone Giovanna in February 2012.
6 March 2013, St George's Bloomsbury, London
In a talk entitled Walking across Madagascar: An expedition on foot from Sambava to Ankify, explorer and adventurer Levinson Wood told of his intrepid expedition to traverse Madagascar in May 2012.
Naturalist and conservationist Toby Nowlan spoke about his time spent in the rainforest of Makira. Filmmaker John Brown – a key member of the team that produced the BBC's acclaimed three-part natural history series on Madagascar – introduced a screening of another of his programmes, Madagascar, Lemurs and Spies. Sir Mervyn Brown took the audience on a delightful and impressively informed journey through Madagascar in the 1960s, when he and his wife Beth arrived in the country for his appointment as British Ambassador. This event also featured live Malagasy music from Fassio.
26 June 2013, St George's Bloomsbury, London (AGM)
Angelo Spencer-Smith spoke about the role the inspirational charity ShelterBox has played in Madagascar to provide shelter, warmth and dignity following disasters such as Cyclone Giovanna in February 2012.
6 March 2013, St George's Bloomsbury, London
In a talk entitled Walking across Madagascar: An expedition on foot from Sambava to Ankify, explorer and adventurer Levinson Wood told of his intrepid expedition to traverse Madagascar in May 2012.
2012
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13 October 2012, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Glyn Young, senior Conservation Biologist at Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, talked on captive-breeding and reintroduction into the wild, based on Durrell's extensive experiences in Madagascar. Former HIV specialist for Azafady in Madagascar, Ailie Tam, spoke about the socio-cultural factors which increase the risk of pregnant and married women contracting HIV in the southeast of the country. Jonathan Paul of Cambridge University gave a presentation on ten million years of landscape evolution in Madagascar, discussing his modelling of changes to the island’s landscape on a geological timescale. The event also featured live music from Olga del Madagascar, who performed songs from her recent album Bois de Rose. |
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13 June 2012, St George's Bloomsbury, London (AGM)
Cornelia Schiller, a PhD candidate at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London) spoke on the subject of the growing role of China in Madagascar.
29 March 2012, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Zoologist Mark Scherz spoke about Project Kobokara, a research expedition he led to study the effects of anthropomorphic disturbance on reptile populations and assess the status of the radiated tortoise in the Ifotaka protected area of southeast Madagascar.
18 January 2012, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Anne Chamberlain, emeritus professor of rehabilitation at the University of Leeds, gave a talk on a programme of the Leeds-Madagascar NHS link that is teaching rehabilitation doctors and physiotherapists at each of the regional rehabilitation centres on the island.
Cornelia Schiller, a PhD candidate at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London) spoke on the subject of the growing role of China in Madagascar.
29 March 2012, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Zoologist Mark Scherz spoke about Project Kobokara, a research expedition he led to study the effects of anthropomorphic disturbance on reptile populations and assess the status of the radiated tortoise in the Ifotaka protected area of southeast Madagascar.
18 January 2012, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Anne Chamberlain, emeritus professor of rehabilitation at the University of Leeds, gave a talk on a programme of the Leeds-Madagascar NHS link that is teaching rehabilitation doctors and physiotherapists at each of the regional rehabilitation centres on the island.
2011
15 October 2011, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Primatologist Kara Moses talked about her fieldwork on lemur seed dispersal in Madagascar’s eastern rainforest. Paignton Zoo's Mike Bungard gave a presentation entitled Madagascar's Hidden Jewels: Amphibian diversity and conservation. And collector David Freeman spoke about the fascinating assortment of historical Malagasy artifacts he has acquired over the years.
5 July 2011, Houses of Parliament
Members of the Society were invited to attend a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Madagascar.
26 June 2011, Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith, London
This special event, organised by Chris and Vao Brown, was held to commemorate Madagascar's Independence Day and celebrate the Society's 50th anniversary. The well-attended party featured Malagasy music from Modeste as well as Malagasy food, a raffle and an auction.
15 June 2011, St George's Bloomsbury, London (AGM)
Former Marylebone Stationmaster and Commercial Director of Kent and Sussex Railways, Donald Wilson, spoke on the topic of the Railways of Madagascar – including, of course, the newly renovated Micheline railcar.
30 March 2011, St George's Bloomsbury, London
John Ffooks, a UK-qualified solicitor based in Antananarivo, gave a talk entitled Investing in Madagascar – the 101 reasons.
12 January 2011, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Douglas Garrod gave a talk on the field trip that he led to Madagascar in 2006 on behalf of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, Gem-A, where he is the Senior Education Executive.
Primatologist Kara Moses talked about her fieldwork on lemur seed dispersal in Madagascar’s eastern rainforest. Paignton Zoo's Mike Bungard gave a presentation entitled Madagascar's Hidden Jewels: Amphibian diversity and conservation. And collector David Freeman spoke about the fascinating assortment of historical Malagasy artifacts he has acquired over the years.
5 July 2011, Houses of Parliament
Members of the Society were invited to attend a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Madagascar.
26 June 2011, Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith, London
This special event, organised by Chris and Vao Brown, was held to commemorate Madagascar's Independence Day and celebrate the Society's 50th anniversary. The well-attended party featured Malagasy music from Modeste as well as Malagasy food, a raffle and an auction.
15 June 2011, St George's Bloomsbury, London (AGM)
Former Marylebone Stationmaster and Commercial Director of Kent and Sussex Railways, Donald Wilson, spoke on the topic of the Railways of Madagascar – including, of course, the newly renovated Micheline railcar.
30 March 2011, St George's Bloomsbury, London
John Ffooks, a UK-qualified solicitor based in Antananarivo, gave a talk entitled Investing in Madagascar – the 101 reasons.
12 January 2011, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Douglas Garrod gave a talk on the field trip that he led to Madagascar in 2006 on behalf of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, Gem-A, where he is the Senior Education Executive.
2010
9 October 2010, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Yvonne Orengo gave an inspiring account of how the Andrew Lees Trust had handed over the running of its projects to a local entity, Andry Lalana Toliana, in Madagascar. Ulrike Meinhof gave an entertaining insight into the lives of Malagasy musicians, enlivened by clips of music and dancing. Daniel Austin provided a delightful tour of Madagascar in a slide-show that covered everything from clove-sorting, tea-picking and bull-wrestling to baobabs, lemurs and frogs.
16 June 2010, St George's Bloomsbury, London (AGM)
Mountaineer Nigel Vardy's entertaining and inspiring talk, entitled Seventh Heaven, told the story of his climbing of Mount Maromakotro in 2007 – the culmination of his expedition to summit the highest peak on each of the world's seven largest islands.
31 March 2010, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Professor Marcel Hommel, of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, spoke fascinatingly on the tropical diseases of Madagascar and how they reflect the complexity of the country.
20 January 2010, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Traveller and author Kevin Rushby gave a fascinating historical account of Indian Ocean pirates, and in particular those who settled on Madagascar.
Yvonne Orengo gave an inspiring account of how the Andrew Lees Trust had handed over the running of its projects to a local entity, Andry Lalana Toliana, in Madagascar. Ulrike Meinhof gave an entertaining insight into the lives of Malagasy musicians, enlivened by clips of music and dancing. Daniel Austin provided a delightful tour of Madagascar in a slide-show that covered everything from clove-sorting, tea-picking and bull-wrestling to baobabs, lemurs and frogs.
16 June 2010, St George's Bloomsbury, London (AGM)
Mountaineer Nigel Vardy's entertaining and inspiring talk, entitled Seventh Heaven, told the story of his climbing of Mount Maromakotro in 2007 – the culmination of his expedition to summit the highest peak on each of the world's seven largest islands.
31 March 2010, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Professor Marcel Hommel, of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, spoke fascinatingly on the tropical diseases of Madagascar and how they reflect the complexity of the country.
20 January 2010, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Traveller and author Kevin Rushby gave a fascinating historical account of Indian Ocean pirates, and in particular those who settled on Madagascar.
2009
3 October 2009, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Julia Footnick gave a talk on ecotourism. Former British ambassador to Madagascar Brian Donaldson spoke about his Small Grants Scheme. And Oliver Backhouse gave a presentation on ophthalmology in Madagascar.
17 June 2009, St George's Bloomsbury, London (AGM)
John Mack, Professor of World Art at the University of East Anglia, spoke eloquently on Malagasy art, with which he has been involved since the 1980s. His initial work had been on the highly successful Islands of the Ancestors exhibition at the Museum of Mankind, which moved on to New York and then to Antananarivo. John wrote a book to accompany this exhibition in 1986.
1 April 2009, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Stephen Wilkinson – who first went to Madagascar in 1969 as a Quaker volunteer in Faratsiho – gave a fascinating talk on the history of the Akany Avoko children's home in Ambohidratrimo, where he moved in 1988.
28 January 2009, St George's Bloomsbury, London
CEO of Jubilee Platinum PLC, Colin Bird, gave a presentation on mining potential in Madagascar, comparing the island's diverse geology to that of mineral-rich South Africa.
Julia Footnick gave a talk on ecotourism. Former British ambassador to Madagascar Brian Donaldson spoke about his Small Grants Scheme. And Oliver Backhouse gave a presentation on ophthalmology in Madagascar.
17 June 2009, St George's Bloomsbury, London (AGM)
John Mack, Professor of World Art at the University of East Anglia, spoke eloquently on Malagasy art, with which he has been involved since the 1980s. His initial work had been on the highly successful Islands of the Ancestors exhibition at the Museum of Mankind, which moved on to New York and then to Antananarivo. John wrote a book to accompany this exhibition in 1986.
1 April 2009, St George's Bloomsbury, London
Stephen Wilkinson – who first went to Madagascar in 1969 as a Quaker volunteer in Faratsiho – gave a fascinating talk on the history of the Akany Avoko children's home in Ambohidratrimo, where he moved in 1988.
28 January 2009, St George's Bloomsbury, London
CEO of Jubilee Platinum PLC, Colin Bird, gave a presentation on mining potential in Madagascar, comparing the island's diverse geology to that of mineral-rich South Africa.
Earlier events (incomplete):
18 June 1981, Ove Arup & Partners (AGM)
The speaker at this event was Gavin H Fryer, a philatelist and collector with a specialist knowledge of Madagascar, who presented a number of historical items from his fine archive. The previous October, a selection of Mr Fryers documents, maps and stamps had been shown in London by Stanley Gibbons under the title Madagascar Stamp and Postal History Exhibition.
5 March 1981, House of Lords, London
Some seventy members and guests attended the Society's annual dinner, including Henri Raharijaona (the non-resident Malagasy Ambassador), two former British Ambassadors (John Street and Sir Mervyn Brown), Jean Bemananjara (wife of the Malagasy Minister of Transport, Supply & Tourism) and Sir Leonard Allinson (of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office), who had visited Madagascar in an official capacity the previous November.
19 November 1980, The Travellers’ Club, London
Mr B Jones, of the Department of Trade, delivered a talk on Trade Relations with Madagascar and their Possible Development. Dr William Black-Campbell, Chairman of the Tropical Africa Advisory Group of the European Development Fund, then spoke about that fund.
21 May 1980, Ove Arup & Partners (AGM)
The Chairman, Lord Merrivale, had been well received by several ministers on a recent visit to Madagascar and brought a letter from Lucien Xavier Michel-Andrianarahinjaka, President of the National Assembly of Madagascar, expressing hope for greater political engagement between the countries. Dr Alison Jolly, author of Lemur Behaviour, gave a talk on lemurs and conservation in Madagascar.
27 February 1980, House of Lords, London
There were almost 70 attendees at the Society’s Annual Dinner, including Lord Trefgarne – invited as a guest of honour to represent the British government – and Henri Raharijaona, who had presented his Letters of Credence the previous day to add the title of Malagasy non-resident Ambassador to the UK to his duties as Ambassador to France.
19 November 1979, The Athenaeum, London
About 30 members and friends attended this meeting, where former Ambassador John Street presided in the absence of Lord Merrivale. Robert Arthur Eden (a Fellow of the Geological Society who met his wife Lucette in Madagascar) spoke on the Geology of Madagascar, from the break-up of Gondwana to present-day mining.
15 May 1979, Ove Arup & Partners (AGM)
The Hon Laura Ponsonby of Kew Gardens gave a talk on The Rare Plants of Madagascar, illustrated by slides taken during a recent visit and by exhibits from the Kew collections, some over a century old.
26 March 1979, Lancaster House
Members of the Society were invited to join a reception organised by the Department of Trade and the Central Office of Information for Justin Rarivoson, Madagascar's Minister of Economy and Commerce, who was visiting the UK at the invitation of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
16 March 1979, House of Lords, London
The Society’s Annual Dinner was attended by 62 members and guests, including former British Ambassador to Madagascar Alan Horn, and head of the FCO’s Africa Department John Robson.
6 December 1978
This meeting served as the book launch of the long-awaited Madagascar Rediscovered by Mervyn Brown, historian and former two-time British Ambassador to Madagascar. The book was published by Damien Tunnacliffe, a member of the Society’s committee.
September 1978, Dalgety Ltd, London
The Society held a reception for two visiting Malagasy dignitaries: Dr Rémi Tiandraza, the Minister for Population, and Dr Jean-Jacques Séraphin, the Minister for Health, who were accompanied by Madame Tiandraza, M Senn Harrison and Dr Rabaira.
May 1978, Ove Arup & Partners
Jill Harmsworth, recently returned from several months in Madagascar on behalf of United Nations International Service, outlined the hopes of that organisation to send more volunteers to help with education and contribute technical skills to a variety of local community projects.
3 March 1978, House of Lords, London
The Society’s Annual Dinner was attended by nearly 60 members and guests. Lord Winterbottom emphasised the importance of international get-togethers and Mervyn Brown – fresh from his post as High Commissioner in Tanzania and non-resident Ambassador to Madagascar – gave an overview of the political situation and outlook.
November 1977, Reform Club
At this meeting, Mr C T Gerrard – who led a special mission of the Ministry of Overseas Development – spoke of skills and training that Britain could offer Madagascar.
July 1977, House of Lords, London
The Society held a tea on the terrace of the House of Lords at the request of some members unable to attend evening meetings.
4 March 1977, House of Lords, London
The Society’s Annual Dinner was attended by 63 Members and their guests. The guest of honour was Philip Mansfield, Assistant Under Secretary of State at the FCO.
31 October 1976, Royal Commonwealth Society, London
At a meeting attended by approximately 40 members and guests, Denys Tweddell of the Wellcome Foundation gave a talk entitled Natural Drugs, about the importance of traditional medicine in Madagascar.
18 June 1981, Ove Arup & Partners (AGM)
The speaker at this event was Gavin H Fryer, a philatelist and collector with a specialist knowledge of Madagascar, who presented a number of historical items from his fine archive. The previous October, a selection of Mr Fryers documents, maps and stamps had been shown in London by Stanley Gibbons under the title Madagascar Stamp and Postal History Exhibition.
5 March 1981, House of Lords, London
Some seventy members and guests attended the Society's annual dinner, including Henri Raharijaona (the non-resident Malagasy Ambassador), two former British Ambassadors (John Street and Sir Mervyn Brown), Jean Bemananjara (wife of the Malagasy Minister of Transport, Supply & Tourism) and Sir Leonard Allinson (of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office), who had visited Madagascar in an official capacity the previous November.
19 November 1980, The Travellers’ Club, London
Mr B Jones, of the Department of Trade, delivered a talk on Trade Relations with Madagascar and their Possible Development. Dr William Black-Campbell, Chairman of the Tropical Africa Advisory Group of the European Development Fund, then spoke about that fund.
21 May 1980, Ove Arup & Partners (AGM)
The Chairman, Lord Merrivale, had been well received by several ministers on a recent visit to Madagascar and brought a letter from Lucien Xavier Michel-Andrianarahinjaka, President of the National Assembly of Madagascar, expressing hope for greater political engagement between the countries. Dr Alison Jolly, author of Lemur Behaviour, gave a talk on lemurs and conservation in Madagascar.
27 February 1980, House of Lords, London
There were almost 70 attendees at the Society’s Annual Dinner, including Lord Trefgarne – invited as a guest of honour to represent the British government – and Henri Raharijaona, who had presented his Letters of Credence the previous day to add the title of Malagasy non-resident Ambassador to the UK to his duties as Ambassador to France.
19 November 1979, The Athenaeum, London
About 30 members and friends attended this meeting, where former Ambassador John Street presided in the absence of Lord Merrivale. Robert Arthur Eden (a Fellow of the Geological Society who met his wife Lucette in Madagascar) spoke on the Geology of Madagascar, from the break-up of Gondwana to present-day mining.
15 May 1979, Ove Arup & Partners (AGM)
The Hon Laura Ponsonby of Kew Gardens gave a talk on The Rare Plants of Madagascar, illustrated by slides taken during a recent visit and by exhibits from the Kew collections, some over a century old.
26 March 1979, Lancaster House
Members of the Society were invited to join a reception organised by the Department of Trade and the Central Office of Information for Justin Rarivoson, Madagascar's Minister of Economy and Commerce, who was visiting the UK at the invitation of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
16 March 1979, House of Lords, London
The Society’s Annual Dinner was attended by 62 members and guests, including former British Ambassador to Madagascar Alan Horn, and head of the FCO’s Africa Department John Robson.
6 December 1978
This meeting served as the book launch of the long-awaited Madagascar Rediscovered by Mervyn Brown, historian and former two-time British Ambassador to Madagascar. The book was published by Damien Tunnacliffe, a member of the Society’s committee.
September 1978, Dalgety Ltd, London
The Society held a reception for two visiting Malagasy dignitaries: Dr Rémi Tiandraza, the Minister for Population, and Dr Jean-Jacques Séraphin, the Minister for Health, who were accompanied by Madame Tiandraza, M Senn Harrison and Dr Rabaira.
May 1978, Ove Arup & Partners
Jill Harmsworth, recently returned from several months in Madagascar on behalf of United Nations International Service, outlined the hopes of that organisation to send more volunteers to help with education and contribute technical skills to a variety of local community projects.
3 March 1978, House of Lords, London
The Society’s Annual Dinner was attended by nearly 60 members and guests. Lord Winterbottom emphasised the importance of international get-togethers and Mervyn Brown – fresh from his post as High Commissioner in Tanzania and non-resident Ambassador to Madagascar – gave an overview of the political situation and outlook.
November 1977, Reform Club
At this meeting, Mr C T Gerrard – who led a special mission of the Ministry of Overseas Development – spoke of skills and training that Britain could offer Madagascar.
July 1977, House of Lords, London
The Society held a tea on the terrace of the House of Lords at the request of some members unable to attend evening meetings.
4 March 1977, House of Lords, London
The Society’s Annual Dinner was attended by 63 Members and their guests. The guest of honour was Philip Mansfield, Assistant Under Secretary of State at the FCO.
31 October 1976, Royal Commonwealth Society, London
At a meeting attended by approximately 40 members and guests, Denys Tweddell of the Wellcome Foundation gave a talk entitled Natural Drugs, about the importance of traditional medicine in Madagascar.