ACFID, together with PIANGO and CID, are thrilled to announce the concurrent session details for the upcoming Oceania Connect 2020 Regional Conference, October 27-30.

This year, the collaboration between the international development networks of Australia, NZ and the Pacific, will see over 30 concurrent sessions delivered by over 40 organisations through our virtual conference platform.

Forming part of a robust four-day program, concurrent sessions will explore the key theme of the conference, ‘10 years to 2030: shift the power, raise the ambition’, casting a specialist focus on how we can work differently to meet the challenges of the 2030 Agenda.

From shifting power dynamics to delivering science with impact, delegates can expect a diverse mix of presentations, discussions, and practical insights from a range of voices across the region focused on international development, humanitarian action and foreign policy.

For a taste of what’s in store, we’ve selected a snapshot of session highlights from each day below.

Day one sessions include:

• Creating equitable South-North partnerships: nurturing the Vā and voyaging the audacious ocean together

Presented by ‘Ofa-Ki-Levuka Guttenbeil-Likiliki and IWDA, with panel members Yvonne Te Ruki-Rangi-oTangaroa Underhill-Sem, Anne Pakoa and Bettina Baldeschi, this session will explore the process and findings of a ground-breaking research project presenting Pacific women’s movement actors’ views on the role and impact of global north organisations over the past 30 years.

• Whenua Koloa’ia – To be in abundance and shifting power dynamics in international development within Aotearoa New Zealand

Presented by the Pacific Koloa Collective, this session delivers a deeper understanding of the abundance and actions that an indigenous Pacific practitioners’ perspectives bring to development and humanitarian work. Join this session to hear lessons learned and future directions for the Pacific Koloa Collective.

• Localisation or decolonisation? An open space for dialogue

Presented by Peacifica, this session features Linda Kenni, one of the region’s foremost researchers into localisation, and Michael Mel one of its leading thinkers and practitioners of decolonisation of the mind. This session provides an open space for Pacific islanders to lead and for settler Australians and New Zealanders to listen and learn.

Day two sessions include:

• Disruption and complexity – applying systems thinking in our approach to climate change and disaster risk

Presented by the Australian Red Cross and CSIRO, this session will address the key issue of climate change and its impact on increasing disaster risk in Oceania countries – including case studies from Australia and the Pacific. It will emphasise how, when and why practitioners need to better address risk, complexity and dynamic systems to better support communities vulnerable to climate change.

• Working politically in civic spaces: reflections on the broader relevance of lessons from research on civil society in Southeast Asia

Presented by The Asia Foundation, this wide-ranging session will explore the key challenges and opportunities facing civil society in Southeast Asia and the Pacific; emerging issues related to collective action among youth; the use of social media in advocacy; and generational leadership in the women’s movement. Join for a fascinating panel discussion!

• An elephant in the room: starting the conversation about race, diversity and inclusion in the sector

Despite comprising a quarter of the population, Indigenous peoples and people of colour are severely underrepresented at senior levels in Australian business, politics, government and universities. Is this also true in aid and development? Why might this be? What implications might it have for our international work and cross-cultural relationships? More importantly, what can we do about it? Coordinated and facilitated by Quaker Service Australia, RDI Network, Oaktree and Good Return, this session promises to be a meaty discussion to envisage key changes and practical actions that we – organisations and individuals – can take on diversity and inclusion in our sector.

Day three sessions include:

• Accelerating decent work for women as part of the COVID-19 recovery

Presented by ActionAid and Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA, this session will explore the global decent work agenda, how women’s work is being impacted by COVID-19 at the regional and global level, the structural drivers including how global trade rules are impacting women’s access to decent work, and share how women workers are rising up and responding to change the world of work for the better.

• Sharing experiences of delivering science with impact in line with the SDG targets

Presented by GNS Science, this facilitated conversation between New Zealand and Pacific research practitioners will link physical system understanding to community resilience. Sharing transpacific perspectives across a range of SDG relevant issues, each expert presenter will offer insights into how scientists and communities can learn from each other when it comes to converting new knowledge into impact.

Day four sessions include:

• Transforming INGOs by shifting the power

Edge Effect has embarked upon a pilot process that asks INGOs to show they have the appropriate principals, policies, indicators, tools and other information to work inclusively and respectfully with LGBTIQ+ CSOs and communities. This workshop aims to engage the INGO sector to explore the barriers and challenges to implementing such a project and consider what strengths the INGO sector has to begin to imagine using such accountability mechanisms.

• A larger Pacific: opportunities, challenges and options in a more dangerous world

Presented by the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy and Defence Dialogue, this session invites delegates to locate the future of South Pacific states, communities and citizens within larger economic, security and governance trends and frameworks. This session will explore what proactive measures might best protect the region in the wake of geo-political rivalry, COVID-19 induced changes to the international system and accelerating climate change.
With just 10 years to 2030, and as the world grapples with the effects of the COVID-19 crisis, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, business as usual will not be good enough. The Oceania Connect 2020 Regional Conference will serve as an opportunity to address how we can drive change, shift power dynamics and progress action towards a more just, collaborative and sustainable development future. We look forward to the diverse discussions and connecting with everyone this month.

To view the full program of concurrent sessions and to register your attendance at Oceania Connect, visit the conference website.