New trends and major developments in Pacific politics, society and economics will be the focus of a four-day research event starting at ANU next Tuesday.

Hosted by the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, Pacific Perspectives, brings together leading scholars, parliamentarians, civil society representatives and policymakers to examine a range of key issues affecting the Pacific and Australia’s engagement with the region.

Research and analysis will be presented on a range of topics, including the state of democracy in Fiji and Papua New Guinea, aid and development in the region, land conflicts, regional trade and integration, political autonomy in Bougainville and New Caledonia, and gender-based violence.

The four-day event will also highlight the growing economic development of the Pacific and the region’s importance to Australia, something which is increasingly overlooked in the so called ‘Asian century’.

Pacific Perspectives showcases The Australian National University’s unrivalled expertise in Pacific research and scholarship, and will be bolstered by the participation of a number of prominent figures from the region.

It brings together two major conferences at the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific – the inaugural State of the Pacific conference hosted by the State, Society and Governance in Melanesia program, and the Pacific and PNG Update hosted by the Development Policy Centre in Crawford School.

State of the Pacific convenor Dr Roannie Ng Shiu said: “State of the Pacific will bridge the research and policy divide by convening a cross section of participants, including academics, parliamentarians, policy makers, and civil society representatives for discussions on key research and policy issues in the Pacific.”

Highlights on day one include an address by Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Senator Matthew Thistlethwaite, and a closing panel on the state of regionalism in the Pacific featuring senior representatives from regional institutions.

Scholars working on new and innovative research projects will have the chance to showcase their research on day two, while the conference will close with facilitated discussion groups based on issues raised in day one.

The 2013 Pacific and PNG Update will be hosted by Development Policy Centre, and will examine the latest economic, social and political developments in the region.

Day one will focus on key trends across the region as a whole, while day two will look at key issues relating to Papua New Guinea.

Major themes to be discussed include regional trade and integration, gender based violence, economic policy, and public service delivery constraints.

Professor Stephen Howes, Director of Development Policy Centre said: “The Pacific and PNG Update is vital, as it ensures there is a continued focus on the Pacific by decision makers in Canberra and academics throughout Australia and the Pacific.

“Events like Pacific Perspectives are critical in also ensuring an ongoing focus on key research and policy issues concerning Australia’s closest neighbours – as identified by scholars in the region itself,” he said.

“It’s important to maintain research and analysis on the Pacific, particularly as Australia’s focus turns more and more towards Asia,” added Dr Ng Shiu.

Development Policy Centre acknowledges the funding of the Asian Development Bank and Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies journal toward the 2013 Pacific and Papua New Guinea Update.

SSGM acknowledges the generous support of Australian aid, AusAID and the Research School of Asia and the Pacific for State of the Pacific.  

For more on the 2013 Pacific and PNG Update, see here.

For more on State of the Pacific, see here.

Story by Joel Nilon