Past Events

This page provides a list of archived events we have held, including video recordings, related blogs, and (more recently) audio podcasts: Devpolicy Talks.

2023 |2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011

Contemporary macro issues in Papua New Guinea

Contemporary macroeconomic issues in Papua New Guinea

12.30–1.30pm 28 July 2023

Dr Stephen Howes

»view presentation

In 2014, BPNG started rationing foreign exchange, and shifted the exchange rate regime from floating to pegged. For the next decade, the exchange rate has been assessed as over-valued and businesses have listed foreign exchange availability as their top concern. The PNG government has recently announced plans to, with IMF support, solve its foreign exchange problems, and also to end the long-standing problem of excess liquidity, and to eliminate the fiscal deficit by 2027. Dr Stephen Howes is Professor of Economics and Director of the Development Policy Centre, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University. He is a member of the Independent Advisory Group advising the PNG Treasurer on the Central Banking Act. In this presentation, he will present a survey of contemporary macroeconomic issues in PNG.

Speaker:
Dr Stephen Howes, Director, Development Policy Centre, ANU

The ANU-UPNG seminar series is part of the partnership between the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy and the UPNG School of Business and Public Policy, supported by the PNG-Aus Partnership.

This seminar is free and open to the public. Registration is required to attend the seminar. You can attend at Brindabella Theatre (Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU), at the MBA Suite (SBPP building, UPNG), or online via Zoom.

» read more

Determinants of coffee production in PNG: challenges and opportunities

12.30–1.30pm 30 June 2023

Associate Professor Eugene Ezebilo

» view presentation

The PNG National Research Institute’s discussion paper Determinants of coffee production in major coffee-producing provinces of PNG: challenges and opportunities, examines how coffee has the potential to provide income for households and government revenue, however, some coffee-producing countries continue to witness a decline in the quantity of coffee produced. This discussion focuses on a study which examined the farm and coffee grower’s characteristics that influence the quantity of coffee produced, and the challenges and opportunities in coffee production in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Important factors influencing the quantity of coffee produced include the location of coffee plot, labour type, coffee production scale and access to productive partnership in agriculture project, educational level, awareness of the productive age of coffee tree and participation in coffee production training. Challenges for coffee production include coffee leaf rust, coffee berry borer, poor extension services and poor access to markets and processing facilities. Opportunities in coffee production in PNG include availability of conducive environments and coffee plantations that can be revitalised. These findings contribute to discussion regarding potential ways to improve production so that coffee can contribute more to the country’s economy and to household incomes.

Speaker:
Associate Professor Eugene Ezebilo, Deputy Director for Research, PNG National Research Institute

The ANU-UPNG seminar series is part of the partnership between the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy and the UPNG School of Business and Public Policy, supported by the PNG-Aus Partnership.

This seminar is free and open to the public. Registration is required to attend the seminar. You can attend at Seminar 8 (Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU), at the MBA Suite (SBPP building, UPNG), or online via Zoom.

» read more

Unlocking the economic benefits of gender equality

12.30–1.30pm 26 May 2023

Giorgia Demarchi

» view presentation

New World Bank research recently published in a Bank report, Unlocking the Economic Benefits of Gender Equality, makes a clear economic case for faster action on gender equality in Papua New Guinea. It finds that bridging the substantial difference between men’s and women’s participation in better, more productive paid employment could raise GDP per capita by an additional 20% in the space of a generation. The report also estimates that annual productivity losses from absenteeism related to gender-based violence account for at least 0.5% of GDP, though the real cost is much higher. The report highlights the potentially significant economic gains to be made through efforts to address gender inequality, including improvements in overall family incomes, more substantial education and training, and increased economic productivity. It concludes with a number of important policy recommendations.

Speaker:
Giorgia Demarchi, Senior Social Development Specialist and EAP Regional Gender Coordinator, World Bank

The ANU-UPNG seminar series is part of the partnership between the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy and the UPNG School of Business and Public Policy, supported by the PNG-Aus Partnership.

» read more

2023 aid budget breakfast

9–10am 10 May 2023

Professor Stephen Howes, Dr Terence Wood, Dr Cameron Hill, Huiyuan (Sharon) Liu

» view presentation
» watch livestream replay
» read blog

Against the backdrop of the global “polycrisis”, the Albanese government is drawing up a new international development policy, a review of Australia’s approach to development finance, and a ten-year capability plan for DFAT. What might this all mean for Australian aid as the Treasurer hands down the 2023-24 Federal Budget on Tuesday 9 May?

The Devpol team present the latest analysis on Australia’s aid budget, aid policy and performance, and the global aid outlook.

Devpol team

Professor Stephen Howes, Director

Dr Terence Wood, Fellow

Dr Cameron Hill, Senior Research Officer

Huiyuan (Sharon) Liu, Research Officer

» Support Devpol

» read more

2023 PNG Update: resilient and diverse development

9am 17 August – 5pm 18 August 2023

Various speakers

Organised by the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business and Public Policy and the Australian National University’s Development Policy Centre, the annual PNG Update is the premier forum for the discussion of research and analysis relating to contemporary economic and public policy issues in PNG.

The 2023 PNG Update was held at the University of Papua New Guinea Waigani campus on 17–18 August.

Select sessions were livestreamed via the UPNG Facebook page.

Full program and event updates

» read more