2016 marks the 20th anniversary of SSGM’s establishment and the 70th anniversary of Pacific studies at the ANU. Drawing on this unique legacy – seven decades of long-term applied research in and on the region – and the extensive networks of researchers, policy makers  and practitioners developed during this period, State of the Pacific 2016 will explore a range of issues concerning state, society and governance in Melanesia and the broader Pacific today.

These issues will be explored in sessions under four broad themes.

Pacific Regionalism

• The Framework for Pacific Regionalism: A progress report
• The New Pacific Diplomacy
• Security Developments and Challenges in the Region

Political Economy Trends in the Region

• Growing Up Fast: Managing change in Pacific cities
• Pacific Labour Mobility: The intended and unintended consequences for development
• The Climate Change–Development Nexus
• Private Sector Development in the Pacific
• Policy Approaches to Large-scale Mining in the Western Pacific 

Social and Cultural Developments in the Pacific

• Health in Pacific Places: Local challenges and responses
• Christianity and Gender
• Communication Technologies, Media and Development
• The State of Play: Sports diplomacy and development in the Pacific

The State of Democracy in the Pacific

• Democracy in the Pacific: The state of play
• Democracy in Papua New Guinea
• Political Transitions: Bougainville, New Caledonia and Fiji
• The Relationship between Democracy and Development in the Pacific
• Media Freedom and Digital Activism in the Pacific 
• Electoral Trends and Challenges  

Conference registration is now open.  Please click here to view more information about the conference on SSGM's website.