Policy Events (June 7 - June 21)
Asia's economic bottleneck, NATO and Russia, Women in the Middle East, India's second wave, space policy and events on many more interesting topics.
There will be a number of events across a wide range of topics at tanks over the next two weeks. We see a focus on events looking at both the ongoing impacts of the coronavirus pandemic as well as various aspects of great power competition. A special thanks to Ratnadityasinh Yograjsinh Chavda for curating this edition of Policy Events.
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!
Virtual Event
FOREIGN POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE- Tuesday, June 8 @ 3pm Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4)
NATO’s Role in Great Power Rivalries
The original purpose of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) was to protect Western Europe against Soviet expansionism. Since the end of the Cold War, the organisation has shifted its focus to other activities, and its main aim is to manage relations between a “Europe whole and free”, and a resurgent Russia, encouraging stability without providing tensions. Robert D. Kaplan and General Philip Breedlove discuss how NATO affects great power rivalry, and how the US and its allies can better manage Russia.
For more information and registration: https://www.fpri.org/event/2021/nato-role-in-great-power-rivalries/
Webinar
ISEAS YUSOF ISHAK INSTITUTE - Wednesday, June 8 @ 10am Singapore Time (UTC+8)
Revisiting the Belt and Road Initiative: Progress, Challenges and Prospects
Over the past seven years, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 has gradually taken shape and developed into the centrepiece of China’s drive to become a global power. The initiative has evolved in response to the realities on the ground. China has the financial resources, technologies, manpower, and most importantly, the political will and strategic vision to support infrastructure development in developing countries. Nevertheless, the implementation of the BRI has encountered various practical issues and serious challenges. This presentation provides an update of the BRI by analysing the status of China’s outbound investment and construction projects under the BRI. Based on the case studies of selected countries and projects in Southeast Asia, the speaker will shed light on the issues and problems associated with BRI implementation, and discuss the readjustment of the BRI at this crossroads and its prospects going forward.
For more information and registration: https://www.iseas.edu.sg/mec-events/revisiting-the-belt-and-road-initiative-progress-challenges-and-prospects/
Virtual Event
THE WILSON CENTER- Wednesday, June 9 @ 9am Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4)
Untapped Potential: Women, Leadership, and Water Diplomacy in the Middle East
Despite the cuticle role played by women in water resource management, they are often absent from high level eater-related negotiations and agreements. This undermines the sustainability and effectiveness of agreements, which are essential to broader peace and security. What steps can national leaders and stakeholders take to ensure that women’s leadership is realised in water diplomacy? Join the Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program and Middle East Program, with co-sponsor EcoPeace Middle East. Hear from a panel of experts on the enhancement of regional diplomacy and a movement for inclusive resource decision-making.
For more information and registration: https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/untapped-potential-women-leadership-and-water-diplomacy-middle-east
Virtual Event
THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF ASIAN RESEARCH- Wednesday, June 9 @ 9:30am Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4)
China’s Emerging Strategic Vision for Africa
In the past few decades the People’s Republic of China has expanded its global presence and has become a more assertive player on the world stage. Beijing has expanded its presence on the African continent through increasing economic, political and military engagement, as demonstrated by high levels of trade and the People’s Liberation Army’s first overseas naval base in Djibouti. The following event tries to understand what increasing Chinese presence says about the county’s strategic ambitions in Africa. Join NBR for a discussion with Nadege Rolland and Howard W. French in seeking to situate Africa in China’s strategic thinking. The following discussion will build off of the findings of Rolland’s upcoming report “A New Great Game? Situating Africa in China’s Strategic Thinking.”
For more information and registration: https://www.nbr.org/event/chinas-emerging-strategic-vision-for-africa/
Virtual Event
THE ARAB GULF STATES INSTITUTE IN WASHINGTON - Wednesday, June 9 @ 10am Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4)
Sectarian Identities and the Rise of Nationalism in the Middle East
Following the 2011 Arab Spring protests, sectarian identities became increasingly prominent in regional politics, often manipulated by ruling elites within broader efforts to ensure regime survival. In Lebanon and Iraq, anger at the prominence of sectarian identities prompted the emergence of protest movements cutting across sectarian lines, united by chants such as “all of them means all of them.” In Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has sought to promote a Saudi nationalism inclusive of previously marginalized Shia communities. In this event, panelists will discuss these identity issues and many more.
For more information and registration: https://agsiw.org/programs/sectarian-identities-and-the-rise-of-nationalism-in-the-middle-east/
Webinar
EAST-WEST CENTRE- Thursday, June 10 @ 7pm Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4)
Has Asia Lost it? Dynamic Past, Turbulent Future
Benefitting from investment and trade for several decades, Asia’s durable economic model is facing headwinds due to pressures on globalisation, US-China trade and now the COVID-19 pandemic that has exposed developing Asia’s social, political and economic fault-lines. In the book, ‘Has Asia Lost it? Dynamic Past, Turbulent Future’ Chatham House Fellow Vasuki Shastry argues that while Asia’s reckoning may have been the subject of speculation before the pandemic, COVID-19 has made that inevitable. The event seeks to answer this question - can Asia remain the greatest economic show and how should the Biden Administration recalibrate its relationship with the region?
For more information and registration: https://www.eastwestcenter.org/events/has-asia-lost-it-dynamic-past-turbulent-future
Virtual Event
THE HERITAGE INSTITUTE - Thursday, June 10 @ 2pm Pacific Daylight Time (UTC-7)
Critical Race Theory: The Fault Lines of Social Justice
The event seeks to discover the disturbing worldview that underlines the philosophy of social justice and critical race theory. Dr. Volddie Baucham will bring understanding to divisive issues while offering guidance to those seeking a pathway toward truth and community. Participants will leave the webinar with a blueprint of how to hold productive conversations, unify communities that misunderstood each other and connect Americans with varying viewpoints.
For more information and registration: https://www.heritage.org/progressivism/event/virtual-critical-race-theory-the-fault-lines-social-justice
Webinar
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION FOUNDATION - Thursday, June 10 @ 12pm Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4)
Innovation Drag: The Impact of Chinese Economic and Trade Policies on Global Innovation
It is a known fact that China does not engage in free trade, especially in advanced-technology sectors. While some policymakers and analysts dismiss the impacts of China’s policies for these industries, many others acknowledge their deleterious effects on U.S. production and jobs. What has been unappreciated has been the extent to which China’s policies and practices affect global innovation. This is a critical issue because robust technological innovation is the single greatest driver of higher living standards, better health outcomes, better quality of life and a cleaner planet. Anything that slows the rate of global innovation should be seen as a challenge to all humanity.
For more information and registration: https://itif.org/events/2021/06/10/innovation-drag-impact-chinese-economic-and-trade-policies-global-innovation
Webinar
CEPS - Friday, June 11 @ 11am Central European Summer Time (UTC +2)
Has Covid made the case for a new approach to minimum income protection?
Amidst discussions on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy and the most vulnerable citizens, the debate around minimum income schemes (MIS), universal basic income (UBI) and the adequate measures to prevent social exclusion has gained renewed attention at national and EU levels. This webinar will take stock of ongoing debate and address the following questions: is the pandemic calling for a new European-wide approach to minimum income protection? Has Covid made the case for UBI? What can we learn from recent policy developments around MIS and UBI experiments in EU member states?
For more information and registration: https://www.ceps.eu/ceps-events/has-covid-made-the-case-for-a-new-approach-to-minimum-income-protection/
Virtual Event
REFORM - Friday, June 11 @ 1:30pm British Summer Time (UTC +1)
Government After Covid: A Digitally Enabled Civil Service
The pandemic has dramatically altered the way the government works. Overnight, tens of thousands of civil servants delivering and maintaining public services, developing policy, and supporting ministers from their lounges, kitchens and, if lucky, home offices. Many have found the shift to home working liberating, enabling them to be more productive whilst also improving their work-life balance. However not all jobs can be home-based, and not everyone has the space or desire to work from home full-time. This means a hybrid model will be needed – as Alex Chisholm, Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary, highlighted. This brings with it both opportunities and challenges. In such a model, the role of technology will be essential, from ensuring security in an age of increasing cyber threats, to enabling collaboration, to supporting employee health and wellbeing and monitoring engagement. New tools will be needed to replicate ‘water cooler’ moments and maintain team morale and connectivity, as well as to track progress. And the reliability of this technology will be paramount. With the end of lockdown in sight, this is the perfect moment to discuss lessons from this remote working experiment and identify next steps for digitally-enabled hybrid working in government.
For more information and registration: https://reform.uk/events/government-after-covid-digitally-enabled-civil-service
Webinar
BRIDGE INDIA - Sunday, June 16 @ 5pm British Summer Time (UTC +1)
India after the Second Wave
Covid-19 is devastating India and pushing the country’s healthcare infrastructure beyond its limits. The country is recording more than 400,000 cases daily. The crisis isn’t just a short-term one, but a wider challenge facing India, with pressures on perilous state finances, healthcare infrastructure and a continued economic downturn impacting jobs and livelihoods. This excellent article by Devi Shetty, cardiac surgeon and Chairman and Founder of Narayana Health, highlights some of the issues faced by the health sector in the coming months. This Bridge India session looks at what the post-Covid India may look like, from the perspective of the economy, public healthcare, political economy as well as job creation. Please join our distinguished panel of experts for a wide-ranging discussion.
For more information and registration: https://www.bridgeindia.org.uk/event/india-after-the-second-wave/
Virtual Event
FRIENDS OF EUROPE- Monday, June 17 @ 2:30pm Central European Summer Time (UTC +2)
Governing Space
As the EU sets out to make its mark in space, it must navigate a multi-polar system with new actors – from countries to private companies – regularly emerging onto the scene. 58 countries currently have spaced-based assets which contribute significantly to vital functions of the global economy and high-tech societies. As space technology improves, strategic interdependence is a key issue. While international treaties do exist, they are relics of the last century and will need to be revisited to meet current needs. As part of this effort, policymakers will need to address the need for an enhanced regulatory environment both within the EU and internationally, enabling the bloc’s space engineers and scientists to better engage with politicians. The EU faces other major space challenges, including the need to bring together three layers – infrastructure, data resources and artificial intelligence – something never done before. And to ensure that Europeans enjoy preferential access to their own space capabilities, the challenge is acquiring and installing the technology for independently storing all EU space data. Will this require a different approach to data sharing? This debate is part of Friends of Europe’s Making Space Matter initiative, in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA).
For more information and registration: https://www.friendsofeurope.org/events/governing-space/
eColloquium
CENTRE FOR CIVIL SOCIETY-Sunday, June 20 @ 9:30am Indian Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
Liberty, Democracy and Rule of Law.
The discussion surrounding the Rule of Law has been more or less narrowed down to the legality of Government’s actions and there has rarely been a debate on its substance vis-a-vis the role of Constitutionalism and Democracy in its functioning. In this eColloquium, participants will deliberate and reason with the idea of Rule of Law in connection with justice, liberty and democracy. The reader for the eColloquium on which the discussions will be based upon, will include (among other scholarly works) readings of great legal and jurisprudential scholars like H.L.A Hart and F.A. Hayek.
For more information and registration: https://ccs.in/ecolloquium
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