Friends and partners
The future of regional groupings among Asia-Pacific countries
6th Annual Crawford PhD ConferenceInformation for panel members
Logistics
· Date: Tuesday, 24 November 2015
· Time: The panel discussion is scheduled to start at 3.20 pm, with afternoon tea available from 3 pm. The session will conclude at 4.45 pm, followed by the conference wrap-up.
· Venue: Molonglo Theatre, Level 2, J.G. Crawford Building, #132, Lennox Crossing, Australian National University. We will have someone to greet you at the entrance to the Crawford School (Student Services entrance, Level 1) from 3 pm. Please see maps of the school below.
· Parking: Please advise Megan Poore () if you require a car park; however, getting a lift or a taxi is advised.
Panel discussion session
Topic The achievements, challenges, and risks for groupings among Asia-Pacific countries
Chair
Rory Medcalf, Head of College, National Security College
Panellists
Biographies are attached
· Philippa Dawson, General Manager, Trade Division, Australian Trade Commission (Austrade)
· Esaú Garza, Trade Commissioner for Oceania, ProMexico Trade Commission in Australia, Embassy of Mexico
· Damian Fisher, Senior International Development Manager, Standards Australia
· Tony Wood, Director, Energy Program, Grattan Institute
Objectives
The aim of the panel discussion session is to build on the research and presentations during the day, and to invoke a robust discussion around the state of public policy and the quality of the policy debate in Australia and the Asia-Pacific. The PhD Conference Committee suggests the following as a guide to some of the topics that could be discussed:
· Identifying major challenges and opportunities for Asia-Pacific states (trade, security, economic, cultural, societal)
· The role for major and middle powers in the evolving Asia-Pacific
· The continued appropriateness of the present regional architecture in light of recent developments such as the signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership
· Harmonisation of standards and practices in industry and business
· Energy and environmental opportunities, challenges, and risks
Timing
1 hour 25 min, approx
· 5 min – Introductions by Chair
· 45 min – Short panel overviews/discussion
· 20 min – Question and Answer
· 5 min – Summary remarks by Chair
Structure
The session will be structured as an armchair discussion, allowing panellists to engage in a free flowing, wide ranging conversation on the biggest policy issues facing Australia, and the state of the policy debate. In this regard, please do not bring a prepared speech or a PowerPoint presentation, just your anecdotes, recent experiences, and data points about the topic. That said, each panel member is invited to give a 3-4 minute (max) overview of their thoughts about and/or experience with the issues related to the topic.
Although the session will be chaired, to ensure a robust and free flowing discussion panellists should feel free to raise relevant points (if a related question is not asked) or to ask questions of the other panellists.
A Conference program (subject to change) is attached.
Detailed session breakdown
The final session (which includes the panel discussion) is scheduled to start at 3:20, following afternoon tea. The session will be structured as follows, but of course, if things move in a different direction, then that is fine!
· 3.00 pm – Afternoon tea (opportunity to meet other panellists prior to the session)
· 3.20 pm – Introduction of panel session and Panel Chair (Conference Committee member)
· 3.25 pm – Panel introduced by Chair (Chair, bios attached)
· 3.30 pm – Panel members free to further introduce themselves, plus give a 3 – 4 minute overview of their thoughts about and/or experience with the issues relating to the topic (Panel)
· 3.45 pm – Discussion (Panel and Chair)
· 4.15 pm – Question and Answer session (Panel and Chair)
· 4.35 pm – Summary remarks (Chair)
· 4.45 pm – Announcement of awards (Research Director, Crawford)
· 4.55 pm – Summary and conclusion (President, Conference Organising Committee)
· 5.00 pm – Conference close
The only important thing is that the panel part of the session ends dead on time at 4.45.
Contact
Dr Megan Poore
PhD Academic and Research Skills Advisor
PhD Conference Organising Committee
0401 913 638
Biographies of panel members
Chair: Rory Medcalf, Head of College, National Security College
Professor Rory Medcalf began his tenure as the Head of the National Security College in January 2015. His professional background involves more than two decades of experience across diplomacy, intelligence analysis, think tanks and journalism. Most recently he was the Director of the International Security Program at the Lowy Institute for International Policy from 2007 to 2015.
Prior to that, Professor Medcalf worked as a senior strategic analyst with the Office of National Assessments, Canberra's peak intelligence analysis agency. His experience as an Australian diplomat included a posting to New Delhi, a secondment to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, truce monitoring after the civil conflict in Bougainville and policy development on Asian security institutions. He has contributed to three landmark reports on nuclear arms control: the 1996 Canberra Commission, 1999 Tokyo Forum and 2009 International Commission on Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament. His earlier work in journalism was commended in Australia’s leading media awards, the Walkleys.
Professor Medcalf has been active in developing Australia's relations with India. He has been Associate Director of the Australia-India Institute and Senior Research Fellow in Indian Strategic Affairs at the University of New South Wales. He is the founding convener and co-chair of the Australia-India Roundtable, the leading informal policy dialogue between the two countries. In early 2014 the Australian Government appointed him to an expert panel providing independent advice on the 2015 Defence White Paper. His current research areas include Australia's strategic and defence challenges, the further development of an Indo-Pacific concept of the Asian strategic environment, and prospects for maritime and nuclear stability in Indo-Pacific Asia, on which he is leading two major projects funded by the MacArthur Foundation.
Professor Medcalf is a member of the editorial board of the Australian Journal of International Affairs and a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Nuclear Security. He is a Nonresident Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy with the Brookings Institution in Washington DC and retains affiliation as a Nonresident Fellow with the Lowy Institute and the Seapower Centre of the Royal Australian Navy.
Philippa Dawson, General Manager, Trade Division, Australian Trade Commission (Austrade)
Philippa is currently having joined the organisation in August 2012. Philippa has previously held senior level positions in the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Philippa has also worked as communications consultant to the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI). Philippa joined DFAT as a graduate in 1999 and from January 01 – January 04 she served as Second Secretary and Consul (Washington DC).
Prior to joining DFAT, Philippa worked in the Premiers Department of the Queensland Government and from May 94 to December 96 she was Aide to the Governor of Tasmania. Philippa has a Bachelor of Economics majoring in Japanese, Graduate Diplomas in International Relations and Public Policy and a Master’s Degree in Marketing Communication.
Esaú Garza, Trade Commissioner for Oceania, ProMexico Trade Commission in Australia, Embassy of MexicoFrom 2002 to 2004, Esaú Garza was Coordinator of Products and New Projects for Zebra Pen Manufacturing Mexico, in charge of communications between the US, Japan, Indonesia, and Mexico, for the transferring of technology, machinery, and assembly procedures. From 2004 to 2006 he participated in the startup process of Woodcrafters Mexico, in de position of General Manager, achieving a reduction in timelines and inventory, helping the promotion and introduction of new projects to the Mexican market, and in exports. From 2006 to 2008 he worked as an independent consultant, translator, analyst, and liaison for international companies, mainly Japanese, and government entities from Nuevo Leon, and San Luis Potosi. From 2008 to 2013 he entered ProMexico in the International Promotion area, as a Trade Commissioner in the Mexican Embassy in Japan, strengthening the bonds between both countries. In 2011 he was commended for his excellent performance, having surpassed all established goals, leading the most successful ProMexico Office abroad.
From 2013 to 2015, he held the position of Secretary of Economic Development for the State of Aguascalientes, developing competitive strategies for the economic growth of the State. In March 2015, Esau Garza rejoins ProMexico with the assignment of opening the ProMexico Trade Commission in Australia appointed as Trade Commissioner for Oceania where he currently promotes trade, investment and internationalization opportunities between Mexico and Australia.
Damian Fisher, Senior International Development Manager, Standards Australia
Damian Fisher is a senior member of Australia’s National Standards Body, Standards Australia. He is responsible for coordinating and managing international standards work and leads the organisation’s capacity building and institutional strengthening programs. Mr Fisher has also led a number of projects sponsored by APEC’s Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC,) APEC's Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group (SMEWG) and AANZFTA Sub-Committee on Standards, Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment Procedures (STRACAP).
In November 2015, Mr Fisher led an APEC SMEWG project on Harmonisation of Standards for Data and Information Flows which included the publication of a thought leadership issues paper. He is a member of ISO’s Developing Countries (DEVCO) Chairs Advisory Group and the immediate past Chair of the Specialist Regional Bodies Forum. He was recently appointed as Convenor of the Pacific Area Standards Congress’ Working Group on Capacity Building and Trade Facilitation. He has more than 28 years’ experience in international business and is a former senior Australian trade diplomat. His postings included appointment as Consul General and Senior Trade Commissioner based in Turkey.
Mr Fisher also served with the Australian Embassy in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he was accredited as Counsellor (Commercial) and Senior Trade Commissioner for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain. He is also a co-author of a number of publications including a book, Export Best Practice: Commercial and Legal Aspects, The Federation Press, Sydney. Mr Fisher is based in Sydney.
Tony Wood, Director, Energy Program, Grattan Institute
Tony Wood has led the Grattan Institute’s Energy Program since mid-2011. Since then he and his team have delivered seven major reports on energy and climate change and he has developed a strong profile with governments and industry, and is a regular contributor in major media on key energy issues. From 2009 until mid-2014, he also had a role as Program Director of Clean Energy Projects at the Clinton Foundation, advising governments in the Asia-Pacific region on effective deployment of large-scale, low-emission energy technologies such as solar and CCS. Prior to these roles, he spent 14 years working at Origin Energy in senior executive roles covering retail and LPG line management and corporate affairs. In 2008, he was seconded to provide an industry perspective to the first Garnaut review.
He has built widespread relationships within the energy sector and is an adviser to government
Draft program
Tues, 24 November
Time / Event / Molonglo Theatr / Lennox Roo / Griffin Room / Weston Theatre0845 / Registration opens
0915 / Welcome: Alex McGregor, President, Crawford PhD Conference 2016 Organising Committee, Molonglo Theatre
0920 / Keynote: Gareth Evans, Molonglo Theatre
1010 / Morning tea. Provided by Branchout Cafe, hospitality and job-ready training for young people with special needs.
1030 / Parallel session
A / Taxpayer responsiveness to marginal tax rates: Bunching evidence from the Australian personal income tax system
Shane Johnson
Discussant: Thomas Abhayaratna / The local impacts of resource booms: quantitative case studies from Indonesia
Ryan Edwards
Discussant: Rohan Best / Explaining change in Australia's foreign policy engagement with Africa
Nikola Pijovic / Good laws, bad outcomes: Land rights and inheritance practices for Christian women in Bangladesh
Joyce Das
1100 / Parallel session B / Property rights and food insecurity: cross-country empirical evidence
Kimlong Chheng
Discussant: TBA / Testing spatial interaction of environmental spending among local governments in Sumatera and Kalimantan Island
Adriyanto Adriyanto
Discussant: Daulet Taimagambet / People and ideas: how to change foreign aid policy
Jo Spratt / Exploring Identity of Place: A Case Study of Myitsone Village and the 'Save the Ayarwaddy Movement' Against a Mega-Dam Project in Northern Myanmar
Myint Zaw
1130 / Parallel session C / From SAPTA to SAFTA: impact on bilateral trade flows within the
South Asian region
Arjuna Mohottala
Discussant: Bao Nguyen / Macroeconomic impacts of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti: An application of the synthetic control method
Rohan Best
Discussant: Ryan Edwards / New schools of thought? Evaluating the impact of New Zealand's educational social entrepreneurs
Steve Thomas / Will Lynas makes a difference in the political economy of rare earth production?
Husna Jamaludin
1200 / Parallel session D / Cap prices or cap revenues? The implications of alternative electricity pricing schemes in Jamaica
Alrick Campbell
Discussant: Wee Koh / The effects of fiscal policy in Australia: a SVAR approach
Shane Johnson / Finding a balance between structure and spontaneity
Jayne Meyer-Tucker / Towards an integrated framework for understanding conflict resolution and justice in Indonesia's oil palm and forestry plantation sectors Ahmad Dhiaulhaq
1230 / Lunch. Provided by Branchout Cafe, hospitality and job-ready training for young people with special needs.
1300 / Parallel session
E / Factors contributing to consumption expenditure inequality in Myanmar: 2004/05-2009/10
Lwin Lwin Aung
Discussant: Moh Agung Widodo / Oil price shocks and macroeconomic adjustments in oil-exporting countries
Wee Koh
Discussant: Alrick Campbell / Where collaboration is missing: health in Asian fragile states
Belinda Lawton / With friends like these: 3rd party interventions in the transboundary water governance of the Ganges-Brahmaputra problemshed