Newsletter: Meritocracy in IFIs | Pacific Update program | PNG drought event

By Development Policy Centre
2 June 2017

Meritocratic leadership ballots in IFIs – a rare case study

Despite appeals to reform the selection process for leadership appointments, international financial institutions (IFIs) have been slow to change their ways. However, in 2012 and under a unique set of circumstances, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) bucked this trend with the meritocratic selection of a new leader, Sir Suma Chakrabati. Bob McMullan, former MP, Devpolicy Visiting Fellow and an Executive Director of the EBRD, recounts the experience, and reflects on how the selection processes in IFIs could be improved. Read the policy brief here [PDF] and a blog here.

Pacific Update conference program now available

This year’s Pacific Update conference will take place at the University of the South Pacific Laucala Campus on 20-21 June 2017. A draft program is now available [PDF]. Dame Meg Taylor, the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, will provide opening remarks. Other hot topics up for discussion include the blue-green economy; labour mobility, markets and job creation; and enhancing connectivity in the Pacific. Join us for the region’s premier public policy form. More details here.

PNG drought and frost

On Wednesday 7 June at 3.15pm, Devpolicy will host a public forum entitled Drought and famine relief in Papua New Guinea, 2015-2016. In 2015, PNG was affected by a series of severe El Niño induced drought and frosts. The effect on rural communities was devastating, with food and water shortages, adverse health effects and school and service closures. The forum will discuss the impact of the drought and the aid response. More detail here, and register your interest here.

RDI development conference and student award

On 13 – 14 June, the Research for Development Impact (RDI) Network and the University of Sydney will host the 6th annual RDI Conference on the theme of Partnering for Impact on Sustainable Development: collaboration, coordination and solidarity – Devpolicy will be there, so do come and say hello.

Connected to the conference is a great opportunity for students with a development-related research idea. The Students Partnering for Impact Award [PDF] has been made possible by our Mitchell Humanitarian Award winner Robyn Alders, and offers funding of up to $10,000 for collaboration on original, student-led ideas. Read more about the award here.

People news

This month we bid a sad farewell to two of our staff members. Researcher Anthony Swan, a valuable member of the Devpolicy team since 2013, who has also taught hundreds of Crawford School economics students, leaves us for Geneva, while Henry Sherrell will join the Parliamentary Library as a Research Officer. We wish them both the best of luck.

Ashlee Betteridge has also moved into a new role with us as Program Manager (Research Communications and Outreach) after being a Research Officer with our Centre since 2013.

We are currently seeking a replacement for Henry. If you have labour mobility expertise and are interested in joining Devpolicy as a Research Officer on a casual basis, we encourage you to apply. Details here.

Upcoming events

Drought and famine relief in Papua New Guinea, 2015-2016
3.15 – 5.15pm, Wednesday 7 June at Lecture Theatre 1, Hedley Bull Centre, Building 130, Garran Road, ANU. Details here.

2017 Pacific Update
20 – 21 June, The University of the South Pacific (USP), Suva, Fiji. Program now available. Details here.

2017 PNG Update
10 – 11 August, The University of Papua New Guinea, Waigani Campus, Port Moresby. Details here.

Blog highlights

Profit or philanthropy? Investing for development impact

Africa’s democratic failure

Partnering for menstrual health in PNG and Timor

On the blog

Fortnightly links: voluntourism, WHO and WB, cash transfers, UK aid, and more by Camilla Burkot and Terence Wood

Merit-based selection of an IFI president: a rare case study by Bob McMullan

Transitional livelihoods: Timorese migrant workers in the UK by Ann Wigglesworth

A new paradigm for understanding Africa’s crisis by Andebrhan Welde Giorgis

2017 Pacific Update conference program now available by Matthew Dornan

Corporate philanthropy in Papua New Guinea – in conversation with the Digicel Foundation by Amanda H A Watson and Beatrice Mahuru

The ‘rise’ and fall of New Zealand aid (budget 2017 edition) by Terence Wood

Focusing on the ‘impact’ in impact investing by Priyanka Sunder

Prioritising periods and preventing unwanted pregnancy: addressing menstrual and reproductive health in Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea by Batya Atlas and Chelsea Huggett

Renewing the humanitarian enterprise by Paul Ronalds

Africa’s democratic failure by Andebrhan Welde Giorgis

Partnering agreements: Effective relationship management in complex development programs by Nicola Nixon, Julie Mundy

Devpolicy seeks casual Research Officer on labour mobility by Ashlee Betteridge

Messaging apps: the way forward for humanitarian communication? By Andrea Lunt

SDG 17: It’s not about transactional partnerships by Philippa Smales

This is the fortnightly newsletter of the Development Policy Centre at Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University, published every second Friday.

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