Policy Events (April 26 – May 2, 2021)
Women's representation in India, geopolitics in Asia, the multifaceted impact of COVID-19 and many more events this week.
This week there are a number of events focusing on Asian geopolitics. There are also a few events that look at the pandemic from a variety of perspectives, from human rights to foreign policy. There is also an interesting talk on women’s representation in Indian politics.
Want to get the word out about your institute's upcoming event? I’m happy to help. Simply reply to this email and send me the details with a link to the event page.
Enjoy the events!
Zoom event
ASIA GLOBAL INSTITUTE, Tuesday, 27 April @ 9am Hong Kong Time (UTC+8)
BRI and China's railway expansion in Southeast Asia
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been framed as a strategy that improves regional connectivity while strengthening infrastructure, investment and trade ties between China and other countries, particularly those in Asia. In this webinar, the speakers will examine China’s effort to create an intercountry railway system that connects the country with its seven Southeast Asian neighbours, including Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. They will also highlight the political strengths and weaknesses of the plan and evaluate the abilities of impacted countries to respond to the BRI.
For more information and registration: https://www.asiaglobalinstitute.hku.hk/eventdetail/bri-and-chinas-railway-expansion-southeast-asia
Online Panel Discussion
INSTITUTE OF SOUTH EAST ASIAN STUDIES – Tuesday, 27 April @ 12pm Pacific Time (UTC-7)
Security Opportunities and Challenges in the Taiwan Strait
Military insecurity dilemmas cloud the Taiwan Strait. Once a venue for Cold War crises, the South China Sea has become the venue for a naval arms buildup that recalls pre-1914 Europe. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army now commands a battle force that includes approximately 350 ships and submarines. The United States has consistently affirmed its commitment to Taiwan’s security through arms sales, while maintaining "sufficient ambiguity" to avoid provoking a Chinese reaction. But the altered military balance today raises questions about the sustainability of "strategic ambiguity." Now that China’s naval capabilities rival America's, can the United States maintain a credible commitment to Taiwan’s security? Should it do so? If not, can Chinese ambitions be deterred? What are the risks of outright confrontation over the Taiwan Straits, and what might be the consequences for Taiwan, China, the United States, the Asia-Pacific region, and the world?
For more information and registration: https://events.berkeley.edu/index.php/calendar/sn/ieas.html?event_ID=138962&date=2021-04-27&filter=Secondary%20Event%20Type&filtersel=
Webinar
CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN POLICY STUDIES, Tuesday, 27 April @ 10am Central European Time (UTC+1)
Covid-19 policies and their impacts on Human Rights
After Covid-19 was declared as a pandemic by WHO, European governments have introduced a wide range of policies. The enforcement of Covid–19 restrictions have disproportionally impacted marginalised communities and certain individuals in society, raising profound challenges with respect to laws of non-discrimination, the right to seek asylum, data protection and the right to an effective remedy and fair trial. Border closures and travel restrictions have held a prominent position in governments’ agendas. The European Union’s recent proposal for a so-called ‘Digital Green Card’ opens the door for many questions from the perspective of privacy, but also regarding free movement within the EU. This webinar will take stock of the lessons learned from Covid–19 policies and their impacts on human rights. It will examine the current and future roles of key regional and EU actors in monitoring and upholding the protection of human rights in Europe.
For more information and registration: https://www.ceps.eu/ceps-events/covid-19-policies-and-their-impacts-on-human-rights/
Web Policy Talk
IMPACT AND POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, Wednesday, 28 April @ 3pm Indian Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
Women’s Representation in India
What is the state of Women’s reservation in India? What is the state of gender equality and the gender gap in the country? From the Parliament, to the private sector, women are under-represented in every sphere. What are the probable causes and what can be done to fill that gap? In this Web Policy Talk, the Gender Impact Studies Center of IMPRI has invited Prof Ranjana Kumari, Director, Centre for Social Research, to through light on to the issue of representation of women in India.
For more information and registration: https://www.impriindia.com/event/womens-representation-in-india/
Virtual Event
THE CENTRE FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROGRESS (CSEP), Wednesday, 28 April @ 4pm Indian Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
India and Asian Geopolitics: The Past, Present
Documenting the changes in India’s foreign policy from Independence to the present, the author examines the issues facing the country as it finds its way in the increasingly complex world of Asian geopolitics. From its leading role in the Non-Aligned Movement during the Cold War to its current status as a rising power, India’s domestic drivers and international choices become even more significant as the country gains stature across the globe. He particularly focuses on India’s responses to the rise of China, as well as other regional powers. The seminar will discuss the book’s main arguments and its geopolitical case for an India that is increasingly and positively engaged in both Asia and the broader world in pursuit of a pluralistic, open, and inclusive world order.
For more information and registration: https://csep.org/event/india-and-asian-geopolitics-the-past-present/
Online event
AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, Wednesday, 28 April @ 6pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC+10)
Geopolitical trends in the Indo-Pacific and the implications of COVID-19
The world is changing rapidly, and the Indo-Pacific can be seen as one of the central focal points of that change. The volatility is both driving and being driven by four major trends: structural changes to the international system; citizen unrest and populism; the tech revolution; and climate change. This presentation will discuss how COVID-19 has impacted these trends, and what the trajectory for the Indo-Pacific region looks like.
For more information and registration: https://aiiaact.tidyhq.com/public/schedule/events/33687-geopolitical-trends-in-the-indo-pacific-and-the-implications-of-covid-19
Virtual Event
THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION, Thursday, 28 April @ 11am Eastern Standard Time (UTC-4)
The War Against Cancel Culture: What the United States Can Learn from Great Britain
English author John Milton offered the first comprehensive plea for freedom of speech in the West. The enemies of free speech are back. As in the United States, Leftist groups in Great Britain have attempted to shut down speech on the nation’s university campuses, tear down statues of historical figures, and censor debate in the public square. But the British government is confronting the scourge of cancel culture. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new rules to strengthen freedom of speech in higher education and penalize attempts to silence legitimate debate. Legislation is also being introduced by the Conservative government to protect British statues and monuments from mob rule. What can America learn from Great Britain in the fight against cancel culture? In this discussion, the panelists will shares their thoughts on what lessons can be learned from across the Atlantic, and what more needs to be done to defeat cancel culture and protect free speech.
For more information and registration: https://www.heritage.org/europe/event/virtual-event-the-war-against-cancel-culture-what-the-united-states-can-learn-great
Virtual Roundtable
THE STIMSON CENTER, Friday, 28 April @ 8:30am Eastern Standard Time (UTC-4)
23 Years of Non-use: Evaluating the Nuclear Taboo in India and Pakistan
In this South Asian Voices virtual roundtable, experts from India and Pakistan will be in conversation with Dr. Nina Tannenwald on her latest article, “23 Years of Nonuse: Does the Nuclear Taboo Constrain India and Pakistan?” This discussion will examine whether the nonuse of nuclear weapons in South Asia over the past two decades can be attributed to normative concerns and how the nuclear taboo can be strengthened going forward.
For more information and registration: https://www.stimson.org/event/23-years-of-nonuse-evaluating-the-nuclear-taboo-in-india-and-pakistan/
Online Lecture
UK IN A CHANGING EUROPE, Wednesday, 28 April @ 6:30pm British Summer Time (UTC+1)
After the lockdowns: Did COVID-19 kill Global Britain?
Now that the UK has left the EU, what role should it play in the world? What is ‘Global Britain’, and is it a realistic project after the Covid-19 pandemic? In this online lecture series, leading figures from politics and academia will share their reflections, and offer their hopes and fears for a UK after Brexit. They will also discuss the path forward for the new UK and whether it is Utopia or Dystopia?
For more information and registration: https://ukandeu.ac.uk/events/after-the-lockdowns-did-covid-19-kill-global-britain/
Webinar
ISEAS YUSOF ISHAK INSTITUTE, Thursday, 29 April @ 3pm Singapore Time (UTC+8)
Investment Facilitation for Sustainable Development, Indonesia and Malaysia Country Studies
In a world of declining global direct investments, especially in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on corporate earnings, investment promotion agencies (IPAs) need to think beyond promotion to attract foreign direct investments. Investment facilitation thus plays an increasingly important complementary role to investment promotion. Enhancing existing relationships with the MNCs in a country can also improve investment retention and promote re-investments from the existing investors in a country. This webinar aims to discuss the importance and development of investment facilitation at the multilateral and country level. Panelists will examine Indonesia’s and Malaysia’s investment facilitation measures and the recent innovative measures taken in these two countries in the light of the COVID pandemic.
For more information and registration: https://www.iseas.edu.sg/mec-events/investment-facilitation-for-sustainable-development-indonesia-and-malaysia-country-studies/
Webcast
BROOKINGS, Tuesday, 29 April @ 2pm Eastern Standard Time (UTC-4)
The future of immigration policy in the United States
With a significant influx of migrants at U.S. southern border and new priorities under the Biden-Harris administration, immigration policy is at the forefront of the national conversation. President Biden and congressional Democrats have committed to passing inclusive immigration reforms. The U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 would eventually provide most undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship but is unlikely to earn bipartisan support. With so much urgent debate surrounding a long-contested issue, many people are wondering what realistic, comprehensive immigration policy reform may look like in the United States. Governance Studies at Brookings is hosting a webinar to explore the future of immigration policy in the United States. A panel of immigration policy experts will discuss legislation needed for immigration reform, obstacles to reform, and ways to move forward as a nation.
For more information and registration: https://www.brookings.edu/events/the-future-of-immigration-policy-in-the-united-states/
In-Person Event
OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE, Thursday, 29 April @ 2pm British Summer Time (UTC+1)
The climate crisis and humanitarian need: taking action to support the world’s most vulnerable communities
Climate change is a major driver of humanitarian need, alongside conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic. Weather events are becoming more extreme and more frequent – with huge consequences for people already living in humanitarian contexts. Despite the resilience and adaptability of communities living with climate emergencies and related insecurities, they are being hit hard. In this discussion, the speakers will discuss the impact of climate change in the world’s most vulnerable places, and what needs to be done about it.
For more information and registration: https://odi.org/en/events/the-climate-crisis-and-humanitarian-need-responding-for-the-worlds-most-vulnerable-communities/
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