Seychelles Former President James Michel met with Dr Alex Vines, the Head of the Africa Programme and Director of Area Studies and International Law at Chatham House, The Royal Institute of International Affairs, at Espace this morning.

They discussed the ways the James Michel Foundation and Chatham House could develop policy research partnerships as well as other global policy initiatives concerning the Blue Economy and Sustainability.

Dr. Alex Vines spoke to President Michel about the Chatham House Africa Programme project which looks at non-state actors in the Indian Ocean, in areas such as the Blue Economy, as well as other social, religious and security affairs of the region.

President Michel presented Dr. Vines with a copy of his book "Rethinking the Oceans- Towards the Blue Economy," during the meeting.

Chatham House is a prestigious British think tank which consistently ranks highly in the University of Pennsylvania’s annual Global Go To Think Tank Index, where it has been assessed by its peers as the No. 1 think-tank outside the US for nine consecutive years.

Founded in 1920 in London, Chatham House engages governments, the private sector, civil society and its members in open debate and confidential discussion on the most significant developments in international affairs.