2019 Australasian Aid Conference launch events

The 2019 Australasian Aid Conference will run from 18-20 February. As part of the pre-conference program a series of four report and book launches will be open to the public, covering the role of ASEAN, Australian development policy, addressing inequality and marginalisation, and peace and justice in the Pacific.

All other sessions require conference registration. Details here.

Engendering transformative change in international development

2pm, Barton Theatre

The Sustainable Development Goals are grand ambitions for ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring prosperity for all. But these are impossible without addressing other issues, such as inequality and marginalisation. Gillian Fletcher’s new book Engendering transformative change in international development brings together theoretical perspectives on social change, gender, intersectionality and forms of knowledge, concluding with proposals for revitalising a change agenda that recognises and engages with intersectionality and practical wisdom.

Integrating foreign affairs: what has worked, what has not, and where to next in a changed world

2pm, Brindabella Theatre

The 2013 integration of AusAid into DFAT was controversial, but now, five years on, how successful has it been? In this strategic review, former AusAid Deputy Director General Richard Moore looks at the gains, the possibilities not yet identified, and the strategic risks, concluding that reshaping development cooperation will be critical to achieving White Paper objectives in Asia, as well as the Pacific.

ASEAN as the architect for regional development cooperation

3pm, Barton Theatre

ASEAN has not traditionally played a major role in development assistance, but the recent expansion of regional development initiatives, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, is increasing geopolitical competition in Southeast Asia and posing major opportunities and risks for ASEAN countries. In light of this, The Asia Foundation’s recent report on ASEAN as the architect for regional development cooperation examines the prospects and challenges of ASEAN playing a greater leadership role in development cooperation, how this could realistically happen, and the implications for international development organisations.

Thomas Parks is Thailand Country Representative of the The Asia Foundation.

Anthea Mulakala is Director - International Development Cooperation at The Asia Foundation.

Dr Peter Drysdale is Emeritus Professor at the ANU.

Ben Davey is the Director of the ASEAN Regional Programs Section at DFAT.

SDG16 in the Pacific: strengthening and legitimising institutions to achieve sustainable development

3pm, Brindabella Theatre

SDG16 focuses on peace, justice and strong institutions, and is particularly important to the Pacific region as it confronts many emerging challenges, both internal and external. This new report, SDG16 in the Pacific, part of a larger research project by the Institute for Economics and Peace with support from DFAT, outlines opportunities for the Pacific in measuring progress for SDG16, as well as regional opportunities for sustaining peace.

Murray Ackman is Research Fellow at the Institute for Economics and Peace.

Hannah Birdsey is Assistant Secretary - Governance at the Fragility and Water Branch at DFAT.

Dr Michelle Rooney is Research Fellow at the ANU.

Alison Culpin is a Demographer and Social Statistician at SPC