Policy Events (March 29 - April 4)
Women as peacemakers, post-pandemic recovery, the legacy of Adam Smith and Chinese 'dual circulation' are among the topics being discussed at think tank events next week.
Each week Policy People puts together a list of think tank events from around the globe. Below is our list for March 29 to April 4. There is a compelling event on women’s leadership in conflict resolution. There are a couple of talks discussing post-pandemic economic recoveries and the health inequalities the pandemic has caused. There is also an interesting look at the legacy of Adam Smith and his economic theories today. Finally, there are a couple of events that look at Chinese economic and diplomatic influence.
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Enjoy the events!
I’m really excited to share some brand new content with you. Our platform recently partnered with Peace for Asia to produce this episode of the Policy People Podcast, where I discuss what lessons people in policy can draw from Hong Kong’s protest movement with Victoria Tin-bor Hui. You can listen to it here.
Online event
UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE - Monday, March 29 @ 11am Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4)
Empowered Women Help Create a More Peaceful World
The U.S. Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Act of 2017 is one of the most comprehensive WPS laws in the world. It is intended to help transform government structures to support women’s leadership and meaningful engagement in ending conflict and creating sustainable peace. The Department of Defense is working to prioritize the perspectives, safety, and meaningful participation of women across all facets of national security. Additionally, the department is mainstreaming a gender perspective into DoD plans, operations, activities, and investments. For the DoD, this initiative is critical for successfully addressing the complex security challenges the US faces. Join USIP and the Department of Defense for a discussion on the military’s progress and commitment to implementing the WPS agenda in their operations.
For more information and registration: https://www.usip.org/events/empowered-women-help-create-more-peaceful-world
Web event
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE - Monday, March 29 @ 10am Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4)
Free speech in the digital age: Assessing the values and consequences of free expression
Does free speech apply to all corners of society, including the internet? The Constitution prohibits Congress from making any law “abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press,” and, since the 1960s, courts have interpreted this as an expansive right of individuals and institutions with few exceptions. However, public support for free speech seems to be decreasing, especially as it pertains to social media platforms. Free speech critics support more government controls and are pressing social media platforms to censor certain ideas, opinions, and people. And sometimes, social media platforms seem happy to comply. Join AEI’s Mark Jamison for a panel discussion on laws and civil rights, commercial control of speech, and the effects of speech controls on human development and social vigor.
For more information and registration: https://www.aei.org/events/free-speech-in-the-digital-age-assessing-the-values-and-consequences-of-free-expression/
Webinar
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EUROPEAN AFFAIRS - Monday, March 29 @ 1pm Daylight Saving Time (UTC+1)
Digital to Drive Irish and European Recoveries?
Casper Klynge, VP of European Government Affairs at Microsoft, argues that the remarkable cluster of tech companies and world-leading research located in Ireland provides a unique opportunity for the country to emerge as Europe’s digital leader. As Irish and European policymakers are seeking to foster a green recovery with tech policy at the centre of the agenda, digital solutions and technologies could play a key role in economic recovery. Can Ireland build on its successful export-oriented enterprise model by focusing on digital policy leadership, innovation and transformation? Join us to find out more about Klynge’s vision for Ireland and Europe.
For more information and registration: https://www.iiea.com/event/webinar-digital-to-drive-irish-european-recoveries/
Webcast
ASIA SOCIETY POLICY INSTITUTE - Monday, March 29 @ 3pm Hong Kong Time (UTC+8)
The Latest From Myanmar
On the morning of February 1, the military of Myanmar staged a coup d’état that deposed democratically elected members of the country’s ruling party, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Much to the condemnation of the international community, the Tatmadaw declared the results of the November 2020 general election landslide as fraudulent and announced a year-long state of emergency, with power temporarily vested in Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. As Aung San Suu Kyi remains under house arrest yet again and widespread protests continue daily across the nation, the UN reported that 1700 citizens have been arbitrarily detained and 50 people have been killed since the coup began. Join us for a timely discussion on the latest from Myanmar, as a panel of country experts will help us to unpack it all.
For more information and registration: https://asiasociety.org/hong-kong/events/latest-myanmar
Online event
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT - Tuesday, March 23 @ 1:30pm British Summer Time (UTC+1)
A triple win: managing debt, climate and nature in the pandemic recovery
Debt is a major concern for many countries and has been made worse by COVID-19. The economic recovery from the pandemic requires bold, innovative, and sustainable responses that address the triple crises of debt, climate change and biodiversity destruction. How is growing debt impacting policy choices in the context of the COVID-19 recovery? What are the implications of the current diversity of creditors, as well as national policy constraints and opportunities? What tools have successfully integrated solutions for adapting to climate change impacts and countering biodiversity loss? And how can debt swaps be implemented in the context of Nationally Determined Contributions? This event will explore recent research into previous debt relief efforts and discuss how the growth of debt is impacting investments to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.
For more information and registration: https://www.iied.org/triple-win-managing-debt-climate-nature-pandemic-recovery
Webinar
ADAM SMITH INSTITUTE - Tuesday, March 23 @ 6pm British Summer Time (UTC+1)
Adam Smith's Legacy
We just celebrated the 245th anniversary of the publication of Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, one of the most important books ever written. Smith revolutionised our understanding of commerce. He explained how trade enriches our lives and his works laid the foundations of a whole new field of study: economics. But how do we view Smith's works and the larger Scottish Enlightenment in the 21st Century? Do we take for granted the foundation Smith and his contemporaries laid which allowed us to build our free and prosperous society? Join a panel of Smith experts to talk about the pioneer economist’s relevance for today — including statues, slavery, empire, free speech, culture, community and identity.
For more information and registration: https://www.adamsmith.org/events
Online event
FRIENDS OF EUROPE - Wednesday, March 31 @ 10am Central European Summer Time (UTC+2)
Dual circulation: China’s place on the global stage
China’s 14th Five Year Plan heralds the country’s pursuit of new avenues for growth. With emphasis placed on a new ‘dual circulation’ model, President Xi has noted that, in the new plan, ‘twin domestic and international circulations would mutually reinforce each other, but with the larger domestic circulation as the principal focus’ – different phrasing, but a concept not entirely dissimilar from Europe’s own pursuit of strategic autonomy. But what impact will this have on trade and geopolitical relations, with both Europe and other international actors? Increased domestic consumption in China will inevitably bring about increases in international trade flows, but with the pandemic having shown the global interdependency of supply chains, could ‘dual circulation’ be a first step on the road to decoupling?
For more information and registration: https://www.friendsofeurope.org/events/europe-china-dialogue-dual-circulation-chinas-place-on-the-global-stage/
Virtual event
SOCIAL MARKET FOUNDATION - Wednesday, March 31 @ 10am British Summer Time (UTC+1)
Ask the Expert: assessing and addressing the impact of COVID-19 on health inequalities in the UK
The pandemic has highlighted the pre-existing health inequalities in the UK, with COVID-19 mortality rates in the most deprived areas more than double the mortality rates of the least deprived areas. However, concerns have been raised by experts about not only the direct health impact of COVID-19, but the potential wider health effects of the pandemic. There is evidence to suggest that less participation in physical activity, increased regular consumption of alcohol and stretched essential services may lead to an increase in conditions that can be indirectly attributed to the pandemic. These effects are more likely to be seen in those most affected by the economic impacts of the pandemic. Join us for a virtual Ask the Expert event exploring the impact of Coronavirus restrictions on health inequalities in the UK.
For more information and registration: https://www.smf.co.uk/events/ask-the-expert-assessing-and-addressing-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-health-inequalities-in-the-uk/
Online event
ASIA SOCIETY POLICY INSTITUTE - Thursday, April 1 @ 12pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time
U.S.-China Confrontation and Australia With the Hon Kevin Rudd AC
How will continued U.S.-China confrontation impact Australia’s economic and geopolitical standing in the region? Is there space for cooperation and how can Australia participate in de-escalating tensions? As U.S.-China tensions escalate, President Xi remains confident that China’s economy will surpass that of the United States within the next decade. Its economy is already strong enough to weather the drawbacks of international sanctions and Beijing is set on achieving self-sufficiency in the near future. Experts believe that economic decoupling between the two powers would unavoidably lead to open confrontation and that rebuilding trust has never been more crucial. In his recent Foreign Policy piece, 'Short of War'', Kevin Rudd argues that reducing the risk of confrontation will require a strict set of rules. As both camps continue to build a balance of power in their favour, can Australia be the region’s best partner to deal with rising tensions? Join our briefing with the Honourable Kevin Rudd AC in conversation with Professor Jane Golley as they unpack his proposed framework for “managed strategic competition” and highlight how Australia could benefit from cooperation in certain areas.
For more information and registration: https://asiasociety.org/australia/events/executive-briefing-us-china-confrontation-and-australia-hon-kevin-rudd-ac
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