This lecture featured Dr Francis M Deng, renowned scholar-diplomat and presently Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities. Deng delivered a personal and inspiring account of how the challenge of identity conflicts and their consequences has been the enduring concern in his influential career. He also gave the audience of over 150 students, academics and guests his insights into the genesis of the concept of sovereignty as responsibility. Professor Andrew Gamble, Head of Department in POLIS , introduced the occasion and gave special thanks to David and Elaine Potter, who generously endowed the department’s new lectureship in governance and human rights. The Centre’s inaugural Director, and the David and Elaine Potter Lecturer in Governance and Human Rights, Sharath Srinivasan, closed the formal part of the launch programme, thanking Francis Deng and offering some brief words on the direction of the Centre. .