Policy Events (April 12 – April 18, 2021)
Putin's Russia, Myanmar, the future of learning, video games and security policy and the nature of the Chinese state are among the topics being discussed at think tank events next week.
Among events this week, there seems to be a focus on the future, be it a talk on how we will learn in the decades to come, or a couple of events that cover newly emerging virtual threats to security. Geopolitically, there is a talk about protests in Russia as well as a talk on the crisis in Myanmar. Finally, there is an interesting discussion on the nature of the Chinese state.
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Enjoy the events!
"In India, Master of Public Policy is the new MBA." Is it true? Which would you choose?
This question generated substantial discussion in this LinkedIn post I put out yesterday. The quote came from Prateek Kanwal, Co-founder of Kautilya School of Public Policy and the latest guest on our podcast.
How should we teach public policy? What is the solution to India’s policy brain drain? What is the best way to close the gender gap in schooling? Where are the gaps in India’s think tank ecosystem? What is driving the professionalization of policy in India? Why is a Master of Public Policy the ‘new MBA’ in India? What assets must be leveraged to scale the impact of policy?
Answers to all these questions and more will be coming your way tomorrow.
Online
CHATHAM HOUSE – Monday, 12 April @ 12pm (UTC+1)
Inside Putin’s Russia: A turning point in domestic politics?
This webinar examines the recent anti-Putin feeling in Russia and provides some context to the protests. Do the protests simply signify fleeting backlash or are they part of a more widespread and deep-seated dissatisfaction with the regime? How have Russian attitudes towards Putin’s domestic policies and persona changed in recent years? And what changes, if any, can we expect to see in Russia after Putin and who is next in the wings?
For more information and registration: https://www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/members-event/inside-putins-russia-turning-point-domestic-politics
Online
CHATHAM HOUSE – Monday, 12 April @ 5pm (UTC+1)
Emerging and disruptive technologies: Challenges and priorities for the NATO alliance
At this event, panelists discuss key questions facing NATO including: Which emerging technologies provide NATO with the chance to achieve competitive superiority? How should NATO adapt to capture the full potential of Emerging and Disruptive Technologies? Can strategies and frameworks be implemented to harness the power of disruptive technologies? How would these affect NATO’s vision for federated and networked capabilities? What is needed to set up a research and development fund exploring emerging and disruptive technologies as per the recommendations of the 2030 Group of Experts? How should this be governed? And should it be accessible to third parties?
For more information and registration: https://www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/members-event/emerging-and-disruptive-technologies-challenges-and-priorities-nato
Online
GERMAN COUNCIL FOR FOREIGN RELATIONS – Tuesday, 13 April @ 1pm (UTC+2)
Virtual Power Games - Opportunities and risks of video games for foreign and security policy
For a long time now, video games have not only reached young people, but every second German - women and men. They are drivers of innovation and transformation, but also a perfect medium for conveying political messages, which authoritarian regimes consciously use to expand their influence in the West. In addition, video games are a significant economic factor and a security gap. Artificial intelligence for cyber-attacks can be trained with commercially available video strategy games. In times of zoom diplomacy and travel restrictions, video games also offer great potential for public diplomacy and foreign cultural and educational policy. The foreign policy explosiveness of video games has so far been underestimated in Germany. This event will introduce the audience to the fascinating world of gaming, and discuss foreign and security policy issues relating to video games.
For more information and registration: https://dgap.org/en/events/virtuelle-machtspiele
Online and Offline
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS – Tuesday, 13 April @ 6pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC+10)
The Myanmar Crisis: Democracy, Human Rights and Prospects for Peace
On February 1, Myanmar’s military generals rejected the results of the November election, which saw an overwhelming victory for Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy and seized power in a coup plunging the Southeast Asian nation into renewed political turmoil. This event will discuss the background to the political crisis in Myanmar and explore the Australia-Myanmar relations in the contexts of democracy, human rights and leadership for peace in Myanmar and the region as a whole.
For more information and registration: https://aiiaqld.tidyhq.com/public/schedule/events/34435-the-myanmar-crisis-democracy-human-rights-and-prospects-for-peace
Online
ISEAS YUSOF ISHAK INSTITUTE – Thursday, 13 April 2021@ 10am (UTC+8)
How to Understand China: Civilization or Socialism?
It is common to search for ideas in traditional Chinese civilization to understand how the PRC would run the world if and when it becomes the dominant global power in the 21st century. This talk argues that ideas and tradition are important for understanding Chinese foreign policy. But rather than search ancient Chinese texts for clues, it argues that there is a need to understand how “Socialism” and China’s 20th century experience of struggle shape’s Chinese identity and policy in the 21st century. It suggests the need to understand Socialism less as a textual ideology and more as a lived-experience of struggle and loyalty, especially among elite Communist Party members. It will examine how this Socialism guides policy-making in China, and will consider how it impacts China’s view of Southeast Asia.
For more information and registration: https://www.iseas.edu.sg/mec-events/how-to-understand-china-civilization-or-socialism/
Online
THE UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE-Tuesday, 13 April 2021@ 10am Eastern Time(UTC-4)
The Nexus of Climate Change, Fragility, and Peacebuilding
The Biden administration is taking action to center climate change in its foreign policy and national security agendas, preparing to dramatically curb U.S. emissions, and has recognized climate change’s connection to injustice. While climate impacts can drive conflict and insecurity, well-designed climate action can foster collaboration and promote peace, and strategic investments in peacebuilding can yield climate resilience. Join USIP and the Wilson Center for a timely discussion with experts on the linkages between climate and fragility, and how a more integrated approach to climate and fragility policies and responses can simultaneously strengthen resilience outcomes and minimize threats to peace and prosperity.
For more information and registration: https://www.usip.org/events/nexus-climate-change-fragility-and-peacebuilding
Online
NEW AMERICA – Wednesday, 14 April 2021@ 12pm Eastern Time (UTC-4)
How Will We Learn in the Future?
Amidst breakneck technological change, social upheaval, and environmental emergency, there is a need to rethink learning and education to prepare humanity to meet the challenges of a complex future. This transformation needs to go beyond the walls of the classroom. It should encompass virtual and informal learning environments, information literacy, critical thinking, trust, and community. The series explores how learning experiences of all kinds will be shaped by technology and other forces in the future—and the moral, ethical, and social challenges this will entail.
For more information and registration: https://www.newamerica.org/future-tense/events/webinar-how-will-we-learn-in-the-future/
Online and Offline
PERCAPITA – Wednesday, 14 April 2021@ 6pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC+10)
Leadership: a pathway to better elected officials
The level of public frustration and disengagement with political leaders has never been higher. At the same time, the problems that they need to deal with, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, a crisis in aged care and accelerating climate change, are immediate and urgent. Based on his experience working closely with a large number of ministers and their private offices, both at the federal and state level, and his time in the United States, Don Russell(the speaker) will reflect on politicians, the political process and the role of government, and explains why US political leaders are as they are.
For more information and registration: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/leadership-a-pathway-to-better-elected-officials-tickets-149068324371
Online
IMPACT AND POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE – Thursday, 15 April 2021 @5pm Indian Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
Re-Form: Lessons for Urban Governance Futures from the Pandemic
How will urban planners and councils adapt to the unique challenges that the pandemic has posed to cities? Will we see a return to the previous norms of civic living or has COVID-19 forever changed how we interact with public space? IMPRI, which is a startup research think tank, and a platform for pro-active, independent, non-partisan and policy-based research is organizing this online event as part of its initiative #CityConversations, to discuss the state of the cities and the lessons for urban governance futures from the pandemic.
For more information and registration: https://www.impriindia.com/event/re-form-lessons-for-urban-governance/
Online
REFORM THINK TANK – Thursday, 15 April 2021 @ 1pm (UTC+1)
Building a smarter state: tackling legacy it in the public sector
The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a crucial reminder that more work is needed to ensure the public sector’s digital infrastructure is ‘fit for purpose’, enabling rapid operational decision-making based on accurate data. During his first speech as Chief Secretary, Steve Barclay announced that a key focus of the Spending Review will be addressing legacy IT and investing in the right data infrastructure. He will be leading this roundtable aimed at identifying practical solutions to the legacy question, and ways to operationalise the Cabinet Office’s recommendations on legacy.
For more information and registration: https://reform.uk/index.php/events/building-smarter-state-tackling-legacy-it-public-sector
Online
THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION – Friday, 16 April 2021@ 10am Eastern Time (UTC-4)
U.S.-Taiwan Partnership in the Pacific Islands
The Pacific Islands are an important area of cooperation for the United States and Taiwan, as both have major interests at stake in the region. For the U.S., the Pacific Islands are critical to the Indo-Pacific strategy and its status as a resident power in the Western Pacific. The Pacific Islands are indispensable to Taiwan’s political status. Taiwan and China and continue to compete over diplomatic support, with the Pacific Islands being a hotly contested battleground. Currently, four Pacific Island nations have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Join the Heritage Foundation for a discussion of these important strategic issues and the importance of cooperation for the U.S., Taiwan, and their partners in the Pacific.
For more information and registration: https://www.heritage.org/asia/event/virtual-event-us-taiwan-partnership-the-pacific-islands
That’s all for now. Don’t forget to check in next week for more updates.
If you have any feedback or questions, feel free to reply to this email, leave a comment or message me at my LinkedIn profile.
Stay well,
- Liam
Founder of Policy People