Policy Events (Nov 16 - Nov 22)
Lessons learned from the pandemic, Chinese foreign policy and the role of the US are just some of the topics under discussion at think tank events happening next week.
Each week Policy People puts together a list of think tank events from around the globe. Below is our list for November 16 to 22. As the end of the year approaches, many tanks are holding events that look back to glean lessons learned from the pandemic, from policy areas as diverse as state welfare to international diplomacy. There are also several panel discussions on various aspects of Chinese foreign policy and at least three on the role of the US in our world.
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Webcast
CENTRE FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES - Monday, November 16 @ 3pm Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
Competition with China in the Maritime Indo-Pacific Region
How the US responds to the unprecedented challenges posed by China in the waters of the Indo-Pacific will in large part determine the geopolitical course of the region for decades to come. At the same time, given budgetary challenges, technological opportunities, and ongoing strategic adjustments, the nature and employment of U.S. maritime forces are likely to undergo significant change over the next ten to fifteen years. The Maritime Security Dialogue, featuring ADM John C. Aquilino, USN, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet and CSIS expert Mark F. Cancian, will go over issues for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard in facing Chinese regional threats, ranging from maritime policy to naval concept development and program design.
For more information and registration: https://www.csis.org/events/online-event-maritime-security-dialogue-competition-china-maritime-indo-pacific-region
Zoom webinar
THE STIMSON CENTER - Monday, November 16 @ 8:30am Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
Chinese Infrastructure Development in Southeast Asia
Since the unveiling of the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, Chinese rail infrastructure development has been crucial to Beijing’s approach to investment in Southeast Asia. In their recent book Rivers of Iron: Railroads and Chinese Power in Southeast Asia, Drs. Lampton, Kuik and Ho dive into the motivations and implications of this Chinese infrastructure-led development, as well as the varied reactions across Southeast Asia. Join Co-Director Yun Sun as she leads an in-depth discussion with the authors about their findings and what Chinese infrastructure means for Southeast Asia.
For more information and registration: https://www.stimson.org/event/chinese-infrastructure-development-in-southeast-asia/
Zoom webinar
BRITISH FOREIGN POLICY GROUP - Tuesday, November 17 @ 10am GMT (UTC+0)
Understanding China – Then and Now: How China’s History Shapes its Modern Ambitions
Western knowledge of contemporary China’s intentions is often poor, and in part limited by the imbalance of cultural and linguistic understanding between them. As the UK and its allies monitor the rise of China with close caution, there is a growing need to improve institutional and public understanding of the Chinese state and the Chinese people. China’s modern philosophy and its strategic objectives are heavily influenced by its history – yet even nations like Britain, which hold substantive historical links to China, rarely afford this much attention. Join the BFPG and three of the most perceptive thinkers on China to discuss how China’s history is shaping its modern behaviour and its ambitions.
For more information and registration: https://bfpg.co.uk/2020/10/understanding-china-then-and-now/
Zoom webinar
LOCALIS - Tuesday, November 17 @ 11am GMT (UTC+0)
Renewing Neighbourhood Democracy - Creating Powerful Communities
How might devolution help realise the vision of a more localised, humanised government and society in which communities are empowered? The promise of subsidiarity, or double devolution, as a mechanism for giving communities greater power and control over decision-making and resources, has been a promise much vaunted of but largely unfulfilled. With some exceptions, it has been regarded as a faded new localist dawn at best. Join us to discuss these issues at the online launch of our latest report: “Renewing Neighbourhood Democracy - Creating Powerful Communities”.
For more information and registration: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/localis-report-launch-creating-powerful-communities-tickets-124674696373
Live streamed
THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION - Tuesday, November 17 @ 11am Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
Launch of the 2021 Index of U.S. Military Strength
The 2021 Index of U.S. Military Strength provides a fresh, authoritative assessment of the U.S. military and updates on major threats to U.S. interests and the ability of allies to contribute to common security interests, along with a brand new chapter on the U.S. Space Force. This highly anticipated event will feature keynote remarks from Representative William “Mac” Thornberry, who is retiring from Congress at the end of this year following a long and distinguished tenure of supporting a strong national defense. Join us to hear his candid insights on the state of military affairs, followed by an talk on key Index takeaways by Heritage’s Senior Research Fellow Dakota Wood.
For more information and registration: https://www.heritage.org/defense/event/virtual-event-launch-the-2021-index-us-military-strength
Webinar
OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE - Tuesday, November 17 @ 2pm GMT (UTC+0)
The future of diplomacy: G20 in a COVID era
Among the failures laid bare by the coronavirus, the failure of ‘club diplomacy’ to adequately respond to the pandemic is perhaps the most damaging to the cause of global prosperity, safety and stability. This webinar explores questions with scholars and policy makers about the G20 and its future as an institution of global governance. We will discuss whether the G20’s failed response to COVID-19 derives from broader institutional failures, consider its role as a financing coalition for global challenges and question the efficacy of its consensus-based decision-making procedures.
For more information and registration: https://www.odi.org/events/17483-future-diplomacy-g20-covid-era
Webinar
THE FOREIGN POLICY CENTER - Wednesday, November 18 @ 4:30pm GMT (UTC+0)
COVID-19 in Southern Europe: Lessons from Italy and Spain
When the coronavirus outbreak hit Europe in early 2020, Italy and Spain were the first countries facing a serious health crisis. Images of overcrowded hospitals and lockdowns in Lombardy, Catalonia and Madrid symbolised the initial stages of the pandemic outside China and would soon be followed by similar scenes around the world. What lessons can we learn from responses to COVID-19 in the two largest nations of Southern Europe? This webinar will identify what has worked and what has not in their territorial approach to crisis management so as to contribute to current policy debates in the UK.
For more information and registration: https://fpc.org.uk/events/covid-19-in-southern-europe-lessons-from-italy-and-spain/
Webinar
INSTITUTE FOR POLICY STUDIES - Thursday, November 19 @ 7pm Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
Unpacking the Implications of American Exceptionalism
American exceptionalism is the main framework that guides US foreign policy. This event will attempt to deconstruct the discrepancies between the ideological underpinnings and the practice of American exceptionalism and delve into the consequences of these discrepancies. The panel will unpack the assumptions that undergird American exceptionalism to understand how the US can come to terms with its violent history and work towards playing a positive role in international relations.
For more information and registration: https://ips-dc.org/events/unpacking-the-implications-of-american-exceptionalism/
Webinar
REFORM - Friday, November 20 @ 11am GMT (UTC+0)
A Shock to the System: Welfare After Coronavirus
Measures taken to tackle the pandemic led to an economic crisis to match that in health. In the UK, the jobs shock has in part been cushioned by the rapidly invented furlough scheme – yet even with nine million jobs protected by the state since lockdown, the number of people on unemployment benefits has more than doubled. In comparison to countries like Germany, which adapted its social security systems during the pandemic and offer greater resilience to the crisis, the UK’s model appears woefully inadequate. This webinar, with Rt Hon David Gauke and Rt Hon Lord Blunkett, former Secretaries of State for Work and Pensions, will explore lessons learnt from the crisis and discuss how to rethink the UK’s welfare model.
For more information and registration: https://reform.uk/index.php/events/shock-system-welfare-after-coronavirus
Webinar
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES - Friday, November 20 @ 10am Eastern Time (UTC-5)
US coercive cyber campaigns: methodology and assessment
This webinar explores how the US has used cyber assets to advance several strategic goals, including counter-proliferation against North Korean nuclear missile capability, containment of China’s rising power, rollback of Iran’s influence and the defeat of the Islamic State. Focusing on the diplomatic intent of the US rather than specific cyber events and targets, speaker Dr Greg Austin will also present a methodology for assessing the coercive potential of cyber campaigns of this kind. How effective have the campaigns been? What determines approaches to cyber coercion? Join us to discuss these and other questions.
For more information and registration: https://www.iiss.org/events/2020/11/us-coercive-cyber-campaigns
That’s all for now. Don’t forget to check in next week for more updates.
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Stay well and stay safe,
- Liam
Founder of Policy People