Policy Events (Dec 21 - Dec 27)
China and the US in 2020, Islam in Indonesia and the press freedoms in Asia are some of the topics under discussion at think tank events next week as the year winds to a close.
Each week Policy People puts together a list of think tank events from around the globe. Below is our list for December 21 to December 27. There won’t be as many events on next week as usual since the year is coming to a close and holidays begin for many think tank staff. There are several interesting discussions among those scheduled though, with some panels looking back on 2020 and analyzing the trajectories of the US and China over this tumultuous year. There are also some special discussions on Islam in Indonesia and press freedoms in Asia.
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Enjoy the events and happy holidays!
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Zoom Webinar
THE WILSON CENTER - Monday, December 21 @ 4pm Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
Political Fallout: Nuclear Weapons Testing and the Making of a Global Environmental Crisis
The Partial Test Ban Treaty of 1963 is typically viewed as marking a first step toward nuclear arms control. But Toshihiro Higuchi argues that it was also one of the first international agreements that addressed a truly global, human-induced environmental problem. By tracing a worldwide struggle to determine the biological effects, social acceptability, and policy implications of radioactive fallout, Higuchi reexamines the Cold War in the context of the Anthropocene - an era in which humans are confronting environmental changes of their own making. Join historian Higuchi to discuss the scientific, technological and environmental aspects of the nuclear age.
For more information and registration: https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/political-fallout-nuclear-weapons-testing-and-making-global-environmental-crisis
Webcast
NEW AMERICA - Monday, December 21 @ 8pm Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
Bridging Our Divides
We're living in an age of disappointment, insecurity and instability, a sentiment the pandemic has made all the more clear. Meanwhile, the soon-to-come administration changeover does not change a fundamental reality: the US remains a country divided, characterized by collapsing levels of trust in its institutions and its politics. What is the way forward from here? Join The Progress Network for a conversation with TPN Members David Brooks and Theodore R. Johnson, hosted by our founder, Zachary Karabell, centered around this question.
For more information and registration: https://www.newamerica.org/new-america/events/bridging-our-divides/
Webinar
NEPAL INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND ENGAGEMENT - Monday, December 21 @ 1:30pm Nepal Time (UTC+5:45)
China in the Post-COVID World Order and check the time
Opposing narratives make it difficult to decipher exactly how China has fared in the year of the pandemic. The country’s handling of the COVID crisis has earnt it both praise and rebuke from the international community, and although the country’s economy seems to be recovering faster than most other nations, it remains uncertain if this will continue into the new year. Join NIICE scholars for an in-depth panel discussion on China’s position in the emerging post-COVID order and whether it can realize its grand ambitions for global leadership in the years to come.
For more information and registration: https://niice.org.np/archives/events/china-in-the-post-covid-19-world-order-2
Webinar
YUSOF ISHAK INSTITUTE - Monday, December 21 @ 10am Singapore Time (UTC+8)
The Islamic Defenders Front and Political Polarization in Indonesia
Amid growing religious polarization since 2019, the return from self-exile of Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab to Indonesia in November has revitalized the opposition movement against President Joko Widodo. In this webinar, Dr Quinton Temby analyses recent developments, drawing on social media data to illustrate how Rizieq’s return has played into online polarization between government and opposition activists. Temby reflects on the prospects for Islamic populism in Indonesia and why social media will be critical to any populist success.
For more information and registration: https://www.iseas.edu.sg/mec-events/the-islamic-defenders-front-and-political-polarization-in-indonesia/
Web Talk
IMPACT AND POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE - Tuesday, December 22 @ 5pm Indian Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
Can the migrant be heard by our cities? Migration, Exclusionary Urbanisation and the Precarious State of Affairs
Rural-urban migration patterns present a number of unique policy dilemmas for developing countries. With the COVID-19 crisis disrupting many internal migration patterns within India this year, this is a prime opportunity to take stock of migration-related development policy in the country now. Join IMPRI’s Dr Soumyadip Chattopadhyay as he hosts urban researcher Dr Ashima Soodto, who examines privatized forms of urban governance and informal public spaces in India.
For more information and registration: https://www.impriindia.com/event/migration-exclusionary-urbanisation/
Web event
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE - Tuesday, December 22 @ 2pm Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
Are the world’s central banks running out of road?
To combat the coronavirus recession, the world’s major central banks have supplied an unprecedented amount of liquidity to global markets. With the pandemic’s recent resurgence and a stalling global economic recovery, they might be called on to provide further monetary policy stimulus. Low inflation and already low interest rates might make this particularly difficult. This event considers how much ammunition the world’s central banks have in their arsenals to support the recovery now and in the future. The panelists also discuss what might be the appropriate balance between monetary and fiscal policy to minimize global financial market risks.
For more information and registration: https://www.aei.org/events/are-the-worlds-central-banks-running-out-of-road/
Webcast Discussion
ASIA SOCIETY POLICY INSTITUTE - Wednesday, 23 December @ 11:30am Hong Kong Time (UTC+8)
Biden vs. Trump: Chaos, Division and Unprecedented Voter Turnout - What Really Happened?
Asia Society Hong Kong Center will air a live webcast discussion to break down, analyze and reflect on the results of the 2020 US Election. Unprecedented voter turnout combined with Biden’s announcement as President-Elect despite President Trump’s refusal to concede defeat make it unprecedented. Why did the Democrats underperformed so badly in the House races? Finally, the control of the United States Senate is still anybody's guess and will rest on the results of Georgia's two run-off Senate elections on January 5th of next year. What are we to make of all this political uncertainty in America and what should we expect going forward?
For more information and registration: https://asiasociety.org/hong-kong/events/biden-vs-trump-chaos-division-and-unprecedented-voter-turnout-what-really-happened
In-person Event (Taipei)
TAIWAN NEXTGEN FOUNDATION - Wednesday, 23 December @ 6pm Taiwan Time (UTC+8)
Global Taipei Dialogue VI: Press Freedom in Asia
In 2020, Reporters without Borders stated that the next decade will be pivotal to press freedom. We are currently facing several converging crises affecting the future of journalism: a geopolitical crisis (due to the aggressiveness of authoritarian regimes); a technological crisis (due to the lack of democratic guarantees); and a democratic crisis (due to polarization and repressive policies) to name a few. Press freedom is a pivotal value of Taiwanese democracy — threatened by election meddling, fake news and disinformation in Taiwanese news and media outlets. This event will feature a bilingual panel discussion followed by an audience Q&A.
For more information and registration: https://www.facebook.com/events/395927394984951
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 and stay safe,
- Liam
Founder of Policy People