Praxis Discussion Series
Encyclopedia
The Praxis Discussion Series was established by the World Bank
office in Sydney
, Australia
in order to provide a forum to discuss ideas, approaches, initiatives and policy pertinent to international development
. Launched in January 2009 in partnership with Australian public affairs television channel A-PAC
, the series aims to stimulate debate and promote the exchange of ideas. A one hour panel-style program, the show is recorded once a month at the World Bank office.
Each session features three specialists on a select topic relating to international development. To coincide with the World Bank's work in the Pacific region
, a World Bank representative is usually a part of the panel, joined by two other guest speakers providing different perspectives on the issue at hand.
Recognising a gap in the development conversation, Praxis opened its doors to one and all, allowing the general public to sit alongside representatives from Australian government departments, civil society
and non-government organisations, and the private sector
, as well as various academics and students, in order to tackle development issues from a variety of perspectives. With the deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals
coming up in 2015, such discussions are becoming increasingly important. Interactivity is valued above all else, and every audience member has the opportunity to have their say and question the views of the panelists.
Discussions are also broadcast in Fiji
, Samoa
, and Papua New Guinea
, while the World Bank's YouTube channel provides content online. Further, the involvement of the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) has meant that audiences in Timor-Leste
and Papua New Guinea have been able to take part in discussions via video conference.
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
office in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in order to provide a forum to discuss ideas, approaches, initiatives and policy pertinent to international development
International development
International development or global development is a concept that lacks a universally accepted definition, but it is most used in a holistic and multi-disciplinary context of human development — the development of greater quality of life for humans...
. Launched in January 2009 in partnership with Australian public affairs television channel A-PAC
A-PAC
A-PAC is an Australian 24 hour cable and satellite news channel available on Foxtel and Austar platforms. On 15 November 2009, A-PAC's channel location for Foxtel changed from Channel 607 to Channel 648.-History:...
, the series aims to stimulate debate and promote the exchange of ideas. A one hour panel-style program, the show is recorded once a month at the World Bank office.
Each session features three specialists on a select topic relating to international development. To coincide with the World Bank's work in the Pacific region
Pacific Islands
The Pacific Islands comprise 20,000 to 30,000 islands in the Pacific Ocean. The islands are also sometimes collectively called Oceania, although Oceania is sometimes defined as also including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago....
, a World Bank representative is usually a part of the panel, joined by two other guest speakers providing different perspectives on the issue at hand.
Recognising a gap in the development conversation, Praxis opened its doors to one and all, allowing the general public to sit alongside representatives from Australian government departments, civil society
Civil society
Civil society is composed of the totality of many voluntary social relationships, civic and social organizations, and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society, as distinct from the force-backed structures of a state , the commercial institutions of the market, and private criminal...
and non-government organisations, and the private sector
Private sector
In economics, the private sector is that part of the economy, sometimes referred to as the citizen sector, which is run by private individuals or groups, usually as a means of enterprise for profit, and is not controlled by the state...
, as well as various academics and students, in order to tackle development issues from a variety of perspectives. With the deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals
Millennium Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals are eight international development goals that all 193 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015...
coming up in 2015, such discussions are becoming increasingly important. Interactivity is valued above all else, and every audience member has the opportunity to have their say and question the views of the panelists.
Discussions are also broadcast in Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
, Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
, and Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
, while the World Bank's YouTube channel provides content online. Further, the involvement of the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) has meant that audiences in Timor-Leste
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
and Papua New Guinea have been able to take part in discussions via video conference.
Past Discussions
| Topic | Date | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| Development in the Pacific | Thursday 24 March | Rob Jauncey, World Bank; Caleb Jarvis, Pacific Trade & Invest Pacific Islands Trade and Investment Commission Formerly known as the Pacific Islands Trade and Investment Commission Pacific Islands Trade & Invest is now the leading trade and investment facilitation organisation in the Pacific Islands region with a specific focus on export facilitation, investment and tourism promotion.Pacific Islands Trade... ; Daniel Rowland, University of Sydney University of Sydney The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania... Law School |
| Maternal and Child Health | Friday 6 May | Dr. Nicole Wong Doo, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Royal Prince Alfred Hospital The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital is a major public teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia, located on Missenden Road in Camperdown... ; Mahboba Rawi OAM, Mahboba's Promise Mahboba's promise Mahboba's Promise is an Australian non-profit organisation dedicated to helping the women and the large number of orphaned children of Afghanistan. It is one of the few non-governmental organisations operational in that war-torn nation entirely funded by private donations and currently looks after... ; Dr. Nesrin Varol, University of Sydney University of Sydney The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania... |
| Food and Agriculture | Wednesday 8 June | 'Alopi Latukefu, AusAID; Jon Edwards, Action Aid Australia Action Aid Australia ActionAid Australia, the Australian division of ActionAid International, is a rights based anti-poverty agency addressing the root causes of poverty and injustice... ; Bill Pritchard, University of Sydney University of Sydney The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania... |
| Development and the Private Sector | Friday 8 July | David Shearer, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research is an Australian Government Statutory Authority that operates within the portfolio of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade... ; Eugenue Zhukov, Asian Development Bank Asian Development Bank The Asian Development Bank is a regional development bank established on 22 August 1966 to facilitate economic development of countries in Asia... ; Gavin Murray, International Finance Corporation International Finance Corporation The International Finance Corporation promotes sustainable private sector investment in developing countries.IFC is a member of the World Bank Group and is headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States.... |
| Law and Justice | Thursday 1 September | Ferid Belhaj, World Bank World Bank The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty... ; Veronica L. Taylor, Australian National University Australian National University The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students... ; Ali Tuhanuku, Consultant with Solomon Islands' Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs |
| Gender Equality and Development | Thursday 6 October | Gillian Brown, AusAID; Lulu Mitshabu, Caritas Australia and Julie McKay, UN Women Australia |
| Topic | Date | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Disasters | Tuesday 27 April | Chris Bennett, World Bank; Jon Burrough, AusAID; Amalia Fawcett, Plan International Australia |
| Microfinance | Thursday 27 May | Guy Winship, World Education Australia; Terry Reid, Asian Development Bank Asian Development Bank The Asian Development Bank is a regional development bank established on 22 August 1966 to facilitate economic development of countries in Asia... ; John Conroy, Foundation for Development Cooperation |
| Women and Development | Thursday 17 June | Elizabeth Reid Elizabeth Anne Reid Elizabeth Anne Reid AO, FASSA, is an Australian development practitioner, feminist and academic with a distinguished career in and significant contribution to national and international public service. She founded, established and worked with a number of pioneering and specialised United Nations... , development consultant; Gillian Brown, AusAID; Andrew Rowell, CARE Australia CARE Australia CARE Australia is an Australian, not-for-profit, secular humanitarian aid agency assisting in disaster relief efforts and addressing the causes of global poverty in developing countries... ; and Robert Dunn, Opportunity International Opportunity International Opportunity International is an organization that provides small business loans, savings, insurance and training to more than two million people working their way out of poverty in the developing world... Australia |
| Food Security | Thursday 22 July | Archie Law, ActionAid ActionAid ActionAid was founded in 1972 as a child sponsorship charity when 88 UK supporters sponsored 88 children in India and Kenya, the focus primarily being to provide children with an education. Global accounts are now reported in Euros and in 2007 and 2008 turnover was close to 180m Euros... Australia; Nick Austin, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research is an Australian Government Statutory Authority that operates within the portfolio of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade... ; Denis Blight, Crawford Fund ATSE Crawford Fund The Crawford Fund was established as an initiative of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering in 1987. It is a national support organisation for international agricultural research .... |
| HIV and AIDS | Tuesday 24 August | Rouena Getigan, ChildFund Australia; Bruce Parnell, Burnet Institute Burnet Institute is an Australian not-for-profit, independent non-government organisation that aims to achieve better health for poor and vulnerable communities in Australia and overseas through research, education and public health.... ; Bill Bowtell, Lowy Institute |
| Climate Change | Wednesday 22 September | Norman Gillespie, UNICEF Australia; Emilia (Milina) Battaglini, World Bank; Martijn Wilder, Baker & McKenzie Baker & McKenzie Baker & McKenzie is an international law firm, founded in Chicago in 1949 by Russell Baker and John McKenzie. It is home to more than 3,800 lawyers spread over 70 offices in 42 different countries.... |
| Poverty and the Global Financial Crisis | Wednesday 20 October | James Cox, World Vision Australia; Ross Buckley, University of NSW; Mark Thirlwell, Lowy Institute |
| Intervening in Conflict Settings | Thursday 9 December | Terence Wesley-Smith and Tarcisius Kabutaulaka, University of Hawaii University of Hawaii at Manoa The University of Hawaii at Mānoa is a public, co-educational university and is the flagship campus of the greater University of Hawaii system... ; Anne Brown, University of Queensland University of Queensland The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation... |
| Topic | Date | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| Migration and Remittances | Wednesday 21 January | Manjula Luthria, World Bank; Nic Maclellan, Freelance journalist and researcher; Edward (Ted) Wolfers, University of Wollongong University of Wollongong The University of Wollongong is a public university located in the coastal city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney... ; Mark Getchell, International Organization for Migration International Organization for Migration The International Organization for Migration is an intergovernmental organization. It was initially established in 1951 as the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration to help resettle people displaced by World War II.... |
| Global Financial Crisis | Friday 20 February | Vikram Nehru, World Bank; Mark Thirlwell, Lowy Institute; Tim Harcourt, Austrade |
| Climate Change | Monday 23 March | Wanita Limpus, Kiribati Australia Association; Paul Gilding, Independent writer and advisor; Marianne Grosclaude, World Bank |
| Energy | Tuesday 28 April | Dr. Mark Diesendorf Mark Diesendorf Mark Diesendorf teaches Environmental Studies at the University of New South Wales, Australia. He was formerly Professor of Environmental Science at... , University of NSW; Jack Whelan, Foundation for Development Cooperation; Tendai Gregan, World Bank |
| Education | Monday 25 May | Archie Law, ActionAid Australia; Felicity Mitchell, teacher and former Australian Youth Ambassador; Barbra Daufanamae, student from Solomon Islands Solomon Islands Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal... ; Stephen Close, World Bank. |
| Technology | Monday 29 June | Margaret Duckett, Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific - non-profit organization providing development assistance to the countries of Africa, Asia and the Pacific... ; Jonathan Greenacre, Clayton Utz Clayton Utz Clayton Utz is a leading commercial law firm in Australia. It is considered one of the Big Six commercial law firms.-Legal services:The firm provides legal services in banking and finance, capital markets and securities, competition, compliance, construction and projects, corporate / M&A,... and Step Safe; Greg Tucker, Payment Services Ltd. and Money Mover Systems. |
| Gender | Monday 20 July | The Hon. Duncan Kerr Duncan Kerr Duncan James Colquhoun Kerr SC is an Australian Senior Counsel and former politician.Born in Hobart, Tasmania, Kerr was educated at the University of Tasmania, where at one stage he was President of the Tasmania University Union and has degrees in both law and social work... , Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs; Sarah Marland, Amnesty International Amnesty International Australia Amnesty International Australia is a section of the Amnesty International network, and is part of the global movement promoting and defending human rights and dignity.... ; Sonali Bishop, International Finance Corporation International Finance Corporation The International Finance Corporation promotes sustainable private sector investment in developing countries.IFC is a member of the World Bank Group and is headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States.... (IFC). |
| Health | Tuesday 25 August | The Hon. Bob McMullan Bob McMullan Robert Francis McMullan is an Australian former politician who represented the Australian Labor Party in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.... , Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance; Tim Costello Tim Costello Timothy Ewen Costello AO is a prominent Baptist minister and current CEO of World Vision Australia.He is an "Australian Living Treasure". He is the brother of former treasurer of Australia and Federal Member for Higgins Peter Costello.... , World Vision Australia; Stephen Close, World Bank. |
| Development in Post-Conflict States | Monday 21 September | Kanthan Shankar, World Bank; Mark McGillivray, AusAID; and Michael Smith, Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence. |
| Climate Change 2 | Monday 26 October | Robert Hill, Australian Carbon Trust and University of Sydney; Brian Dawson, AusAID; and Charles Feinstein, World Bank. |
| Youth | Monday 16 November | Carolyn Hardy, UNICEF Australia; Joel Kalpram, ni-Vanuatu student; Fabia Shah, AusAID. |