Policy Events (May 10 – May 23, 2021)
Artificial intelligence, vaccine diplomacy, skilled migration, China policy, US fiscal policy, science 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, including artificial intelligence, vaccine diplomacy, skilled migration and many more interesting areas. There are a couple of events on China policy and other international affairs too.
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!
Webcast
BROOKINGS - Monday, 10 May @ 1:30pm Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4)
What exactly is ‘responsible AI’ in principle and in practice?
The notions of ethical and accountable artificial intelligence (AI)—also referred to as “responsible AI”—have been adopted by many stakeholders from government, industry, civil society, and academic institutions. Making AI systems transparent, fair, secure, and inclusive are core elements of widely asserted responsible AI frameworks, but how they are interpreted and operationalized by each group can vary. Further, there is some debate on whether responsible AI frameworks can address the explicit and implicit biases embedded within systems to ensure equity in predictive decisions, especially when applied to employment, health care, financial services, and criminal justice. This webinar will unpack what is meant by “responsible AI” and how different sectors are building corollary frameworks to increase the technology’s accountability. Panelists will also discuss the roles of self-regulation, public policies and consumer feedback.
For more information and registration: https://www.brookings.edu/events/what-is-responsible-ai/
Online event
GERMAN COUNCIL FOR FOREIGN RELATIONS - Monday, 10 May @ 7:30pm Central European Time (UTC+2)
The Great Power China - and the European Union
How can and will the EU adapt to China's three roles? China is a partner in global goals such as a common climate policy, competitor in the economic and technological field and system rival with its alternative political model. In our second discussion we want to span the arc from basic values and system rivalry to the economic interests of companies. This includes the question of the extent to which German and European companies should forego market opportunities and thus jobs in Germany and the EU in favor of a value-oriented policy. Will the demand for human rights, democracy and the rule of law even change the way in which China is governed?
For more information and registration: https://dgap.org/en/events/die-grossmacht-china-und-die-europaische-union
Online event
CENTER FOR GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT - Tuesday, 11 May @ 9am, Eastern Standard Time (UTC-4)
Building Migration Pathways at All Levels: Encouraging a Skills Mix
High-income countries around the world depend on immigration to help foster strong societies and economies. Yet when deciding who is allowed to enter, many high-income countries use a simple dichotomy based on educational attainment – “high” and “low” skilled. This dichotomy ignores three key facts. Firstly, economies require a wide variety of skills and abilities to thrive; admitting people at either end ignores this complexity. Secondly, most foreign workers bring a “skills mix”. This could include educational attainment and knowledge of a foreign language, but also abilities learnt at previous and current jobs as well as interpersonal and other social skills. Thirdly, COVID-19 has exposed the essential roles occupied by foreign workers at all skill levels, and many locals recognize and support this dynamic. Despite these facts, there is little willingness among high-income countries to admit more workers at a range of skill levels, or even do away with a stringent focus on educational-based skill levels overall. In this event, we will discuss how to build this willingness, and more mutually beneficial migration pathways at all skill levels.
For more information and registration: https://www.cgdev.org/event/building-migration-pathways-all-levels-encouraging-skills-mix
Online event
UK IN A CHANGING EUROPE - Tuesday, 11 May @ 6:30pm British Summer Time (UTC+1)
Brexit: Reversing 1000 years of History between these Islands
Now that the UK has left the EU, what role should it play in the world? How serious are the tensions between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on the question of the UK’s future relationship with the EU, and do they threaten the union? In this online lecture series, convened by senior fellow Professor Hussein Kassim, leading figures from politics and academia share their reflections, and offer their hopes and fears.
For more information and registration: https://ukandeu.ac.uk/events/brexit-reversing-1000-years-of-history-between-these-islands/
Zoom event
ASIA SOCIETY POLICY INSTITUTE - Tuesday, 11 May @ 7:30pm India Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
World as Family: Vishakha N. Desai, in conversation with Prayaag Akbar
"A Vedic phrase asks us to “treat the world as family.” In our age of global crises—pandemics, climate crisis, crippling inequality—this sentiment is more necessary than ever. This is the mentality of the immigrant, the exchange student, the global native, and all who have made a life in a new place by choice or by necessity. Yet we suffer from a lack of the truly capacious thinking that is so urgently needed." In her new book World as Family: A Journey of Multi-Rooted Belongings (Columbia University Press, 2021), scholar Vishakha N. Desai unpacks the idea of the world as family by reflecting on her own life and multiple identities. She explores and revaluates the significance of global living as she traces her life from growing up in a Gandhian household in Ahmedabad, India, to arriving in the United States as a young student and her subsequent multi-dimensional career as a curator, scholar, and institutional leader. With her personal journey as the backdrop, Desai questions the very idea of home, the complexities of having multiple identities, and what it means to be both a global citizen and be rooted in the local.
For more information and registration: https://asiasociety.org/india/events/world-family-vishakha-n-desai-conversation-prayaag-akbar
Online conversation
HEINRICH BOLL SHIFTUNG - Tuesday, 11. May 2021 @ 5pm Central European Time (UTC+2)
Vaccine geopolitics and its implications
No country is safe from COVID-19 until all countries are safe from COVID-19. To state the obvious: To overcome a pandemic of this magnitude, vaccines must be made available fast, at low cost, and distributed fairly. The quantities of vaccine distributed through the COVAX initiative are insufficient to provide adequate coverage for populous countries in the Global South. Making the required technological know-how for vaccine production available for free could finally also halt the economic and social consequences of the pandemic. It would also be a strong sign of global solidarity and cooperation. Instead, vaccine egotism is taking hold ‒ America first, Europe first. Industrialized countries are securing vaccines for themselves while at the same time insisting that private pharmaceutical companies charge steep license fees for their patents on new vaccines. This, however, is preventing emerging markets from building urgently needed production capacities. Russia, China, and India, on the other hand, are using their vaccine capacities to strategically expand their spheres of political influence, creating new geopolitical realities that will impact us for a long time to come. We look at how vaccine geopolitics affects global vaccine distribution. With our speakers, we will discuss the vaccination situation and the impact of vaccine geopolitics in Africa and Latin America, as well as the challenges currently facing both individual countries and the international community, and how the much-needed vaccine equity for all can be achieved.
For more information and registration: https://calendar.boell.de/en/event/bollglobal-7-vaccine-geopolitics-and-its-implications
Online event
FRIENDS OF EUROPE - Wednesday, 12 May @ 10am Central European Time (UTC+2)
Disentangling the peace and security landscape: Europe and the Sahel
Creating peace and stability in the Sahel is crucial for developing the region, preventing the diffusion of conflict and ensuring the safety and security of those living there, which makes it a priority for the EU and its member states. At present, European engagement contributes to the web of overlapping and interlinking initiatives aimed at stabilising the region, including military operations, development projects, diplomatic missions and local efforts. This launch debate will bring together key stakeholders to discuss the recommendations and conclusions with the author of the study, Paul Taylor, Senior Fellow at Friends of Europe and European Affairs Editor at Politico.
For more information and registration: https://www.friendsofeurope.org/events/crossing-the-wilderness-europe-and-the-sahel/
Online event
REFORM THINK TANK - Wednesday, 12 May @ 10:30am British Summer Time (UTC+1)
Building a Smarter State: Tackling Legacy IT in the Public Sector
Successive governments have identified legacy IT as a barrier to modernising the public sector’s digital infrastructure. Yet, despite a wealth of information published on the GOV.uk website to help public services move away from legacy IT, there is a clear gap between guidance and actions taken on the ground. This translates into 45 per cent of the public sector IT spend going on supporting legacy, hindering value for money. 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. We are therefore delighted that 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 event
ROYAL UNITED SERVICES INSTITUTE - Wednesday, 12 May @ 2pm British Summer Time (UTC+1)
Update on the South China Sea Disputes: A Transatlantic Approach
Nearly five years after an International Arbitration Tribunal ruling found against China’s maritime claims on the South China Sea, territorial disputes remain unaddressed. While China and ASEAN are engaged in a protracted process of negotiating a Code of Conduct to manage regional tensions, assertive and sometimes aggressive Chinese activities at sea continue unabated. Southeast Asian claimant states and extra-regional countries have sought to assert their rights to maritime resources and freedom of navigation against China’s claims and power projection activities. Later this year, the HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier strike group, joined by ships from the Netherlands and the US, will sail through the region. Furthermore, several European countries have issued Indo-Pacific strategies which all underscore their concern over regional challenges to the rules-based international system, including the UN’s Convention for the Law of the Sea. In light of growing tensions in the South China Sea, Greg Poling and Bill Hayton will offer perspectives from Washington and London on the current situation. They will seek to trace its potential evolution and attendant risks, and consider avenues for transatlantic policy coordination.
For more information and registration: https://www.rusi.org/event/update-south-china-sea-disputes-transatlantic-approach
Web Event
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INTSTITUE - Wednesday, May 19 @ 2:00pm Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4)
Joe Biden’s dollar challenge
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the US government has engaged in an unprecedented level of fiscal and monetary stimulus. With the end of the crisis now in sight, the Joe Biden administration’s most recent fiscal stimulus threatens to boost national debt, increase inflation, and widen the external current account deficit. Join AEI and a distinguished panel of international economists for an event evaluating what these risks might imply for the US dollar’s value in foreign exchange markets and for its role as the world’s dominant international reserve currency. Panelists will also discuss greater ramifications for US dollar policy, the emerging market economies, and the Euro.
For more information and registration: https://www.aei.org/events/
Webinar
EUROPEAN FOREST INSTITUTE - 20 May, 09:30am Central European Time (UTC+2)
Role of Science in Supporting Policymaking: A Post COVID World
How can we ensure that the best available science translates into sound EU policies? What are the golden rules for a successful science-policy interface? Which mechanisms are available for science support? What are some good examples of existing processes (e.g., IPCC)? How the European Commission will engage science in the development of the EU Forest Strategy and other key forest related questions ThinkForest is a high-level science-policy forum which brings together policymakers, the scientific community and stakeholders to build bridges on pan-European forest and bioeconomy issues. The event is chaired by Janez Potočnik, ThinkForest President.
For more information and registration: https://efi.int/events/thinkforest-webinar-role-science-supporting-policymaking-post-covid-world-2021-05-20
Webinar
CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL GOVERNANCE INNOVATION - Tuesday, May 18 @ 1:30pm, Central Standard Time (UTC -6)
Enhancing Cybersecurity Readiness in an Era of Digital Disruption
Malign cyber operations by state and non-state actors are increasing in number, reach and sophistication. Malware is causing disruptions to critical infrastructure; adversaries are probing networks for ways to steal valued information and undermine democratic processes; and data breaches are exposing the personal and financial information of millions of users. We are witnessing a new era of digital disruption. The networks that power our modern economies are now prime targets; powerful threat actors with adversarial interests are targeting Canadian businesses and individuals on an entirely new scale. As part of the Centre for International Governance Innovation’s (CIGI’s) continued work on reimagining a modern Canadian national security strategy, we are pleased to host Shelly Bruce, Chief of the Communications Security Establishment. She will discuss the importance of deterring malicious cyber operations and technologically enabled risks to Canada’s national security.
For more information and registration: https://www.cigionline.org/events/enhancing-cybersecurity-readiness-era-digital-disruption-discussion-shelly-bruce-chief
Webinar
BAKER INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY - Thursday, May 20 @ 12pm Central Time (UTC-5)
Regenerative Medicine: Proven Treatments, Unproven Treatments and the Policies that Promote Both
Stem cells have been marketed to the public for their regenerative properties and their promise to revolutionize medicine. While only a few treatments are proven to be safe and effective, doctors are promoting the use of stem cells for diseases and conditions ranging from chronic pain to multiple sclerosis. At this event, experts will discuss the landscape for stem cell therapies, and how unproven stem cell treatments can negatively impact patient health, clinical research and the perceptions of policymakers — ultimately slowing progress on future cell-based therapies. Join us to explore the fascinating new policy questions this technology poses.
For more information and registration: https://www.bakerinstitute.org/events/2218/
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