The Humanitarian Centre is pleased to announce that this year's Humanitarian Centre Annual Lecture will be given by Chris Austin, Head of Conflict, Humanitarian and Security Department (CHASE) from the UK Department for International Development.

The world in 2012 is a more uncertain place. Climate change and economic constraints pose challenges for the UK's humanitarian and international development efforts at the same time as the complexity and frequency of disasters increase. Chris Austin, from the UK's Department for International Development, will set out how the UK is rising to meet these challenges through its humanitarian policy - to build resilience and save lives.

Since August 2011, Chris has been Head of Conflict, Humanitarian and Security Department (CHASE). CHASE is responsible for the UK's responses to natural disaster emergencies and core funding to the international humanitarian system (Red Cross, UN agencies); for DFID's role in the UK government's Building Stability Overseas Strategy (including the Conflict Pool), with FCO and MOD; for policy advice on security & justice issues to DFID country offices; and for DFID's work in tackling violence against women and girls in developing countries.

Chris has worked in a range of policy, operational and corporate roles for DFID over the past 27 years, most recently as Country Director in Bangledesh (2007-11). He was seconded to HM Treasury as head of the EU Finances team (2003-06) and to the World Bank/ IMF in the UK Executive Director's office (1995-99). He was Principal Private Secretary to the Secretary of State (1999-2001).

After the talk, there will be a drinks reception in the Old Library at Emmanuel College. Attendees will be able to find out about the work of a range of Cambridge-based development NGOs, who will be running stalls at the reception.

All are welcome - please register to secure your place!