Addressing inclusive and sustainable economic development across a global stage

Approximately half the world’s population lives on the equivalent of US$2 a day with global unemployment rates of 5.7%. There is great need to rethink our social and economic policies aimed at eradicating poverty to address their slow progress. We also need look at ways to stimulate economic growth that allows people to have quality jobs while not harming the environment.

On the 23 July 2019, The Cairns Institute will host the Symposium on Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Development to address some of the issues facing economies in the tropical world. The symposium will also give the local community an opportunity to come together, collaborate and discuss inclusive and sustainable economic development to determine the impact on our region.

The symposium will bring together keynote speakers from across the local region and the globe.

Professor Biman Prasad is a highly recognised international scholar in the Asia Pacific who has contributed significantly to the debates on social and economic development issues. He has undertaken research and consultancy projects for international organisations such as the Asian Development Bank, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Commonwealth Local Government Forum, Food and Agricultural Organisation, and the World Trade Organisation. He was formerly the Dean of the Business and Economics Faculty at the University of the South Pacific and is currently the Director of the Fiji Institute of Applied Studies and a Member of Parliament.

Another international speaker will highlight the issues and provide information on circular Economies. Professors Hurriyet Babacan and Allan Dale, as well as other business and community leaders, will provide the Northern Australia and North Queensland context and explore what opportunities could address the long term economic disparity.

The symposium will be video linked between the Cairns, Townsville and Singapore Campus. Following the symposium, JCU researchers will be invited to a round table for further discussions.
More details will be announced as we move closer to the event.