2020 Agenda: Public policy seminar

The University of Auckland will help tackle some of the major issues facing New Zealand in a forthcoming public policy seminar series.

“Big challenges for a small nation: setting the 2020 agenda” will comprise lunchtime seminars featuring some of the University’s, and the country’s, most respected commentators on such key issues as the future of MMP, the future of energy, leadership and Auckland’s Supercity, and the future of education.

All speakers are drawn from the Auckland region – illustrating the depth of public policy expertise in the area.

Hosted by the University’s Master of Public Policy programme (MPP), the series aims to shed light, initiate dialogue and encourage informed debate on issues that directly impact the wider community.

The University launched the Master of Public Policy programme in 2009. The postgraduate degree, which can be tailored to meet individual interests, is aimed at giving students policy training they can apply in addressing contemporary problems at the local, national and international level. The degree is attracting interest from New Zealand and international students.

“The series reflects the University’s role as conscience and critic of society and highlights the University’s place as a centre for non-partisan, big-thinking, agenda-setting policy meetings,” says Associate Professor of Political Studies Michael Mintrom, coordinator of the MPP programme. “Just as the Master of Public Policy degree aims to help produce graduates who contribute to local and national policy conversations, we want participants in these seminars to feel engaged with and informed about important national issues.”

“Big challenges for a small nation: setting the 2020 agenda” will be held on Thursdays from 12.30-2pm at Old Government House (3 Symonds Street).

The seminars are free and open the public. Paid parking is available at the Owen G Glenn Building (12 Grafton Road).

Programme of events:

13 August: The Future of Electoral Politics in New Zealand featuring University of Auckland Associate Professor of Political Studies Raymond Miller and political organiser Matt McCarten (chaired by Senior Lecturer Jennifer Curtin, Department of Political Studies).

27 August: The Future of Energy featuring Associate Professor of Business Basil Sharp, Director of the Energy Centre at The University of Auckland Business School and Peter Neilson (NZ Business Council for Sustainable Development) (chaired by Rhema Vaithianathan, The University of Auckland Business School ).
 
24  September: Opportunities Created by the Supercity featuring Adjunct Professor of Business Lester Levy, chief executive of Excelerator: The New Zealand Leadership Institute and Ann Poulsen, innovation and creative projects consultant (chaired by Michael Mintrom, Department of Political Studies).

15 October: The Future of the Global Economy featuring Professor of Law Jane Kelsey and business commentator Rod Oram (chaired by Rhema Vaithianathan, The University of Auckland Business School).

29 October: Big Issues in the Future of Schooling in New Zealand featuring Professor John Hattie, Faculty of Education, and Lynda Reid, Principal, St Cuthbert’s College (chaired by Michael Mintrom).

The University of Auckland