Department of Pacific Affairs

A Pacific Research Program flagship event, State of the Pacific (SOTP) brought together leading academics, policymakers, community leaders, civil society representatives and other experts to present on, discuss and debate current issues of interest concerning the Pacific Islands region.

The 2022 State of the Pacific conference was held on 28 and 29 September and considered a range of topics from broad themes that represent the enduring and emerging challenges faced by the Pacific Island countries. Some of the topics featured were climate change, electoral politics, regional security, politics of democracy, regional migration and gender equality.

Day 1

Session 1: Corruption and anti-corruption reform in the Pacific Islands

Convenor
Dr Grant Walton, Development Policy Centre
Speakers
Mr Romulo Nayacalevu, RegNet, ANU
Dr Hannah Harris, Macquarie University
Mr Michael Kabuni, PhD candidate, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU

Day 2

Welcome address

Session: Consulting on Bougainville’s political future: both sides of the issue

Convenor
Associate Professor Anthony Regan, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU
Speakers
Mr. Shadrach Himata, Chief Secretary to the Autonomous Bougainville Government
Mr. Ivan Pomaleu, PNG Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister

Panel 1: Domestic politics of climate change

Convenor
Ms Elise Howard, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU
Speakers
Ms Kristina Fidali, PhD candidate, University of New England, Solomon Islands
Dr Esealofa Apinelu, Tuvalu High Commissioner Designate–Fiji
Dr Mema Motusaga, CEO of Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development, Samoa
Ms Betty Barkha, PhD candidate, Monash University

Panel 2: Pacific regional security

Convenor
Associate Professor Sinclair Dinnen, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU
Speakers
Associate Professor Graeme Smith, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU
Dr Henry Ivarature, Australia Pacific Security College, ANU
Salā Dr George Carter, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU
Dr Judy Swann, International SOS, Canberra

Panel 3: PNG elections and the challenge for democracy

Convenor
Dr Kerryn Baker, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU
Speaker
Ms Arianne Kassman, CEO Transparency International Papua New Guinea
Associate Professor Anthony Regan, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU
Dr Colin Wiltshire, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU
Dr Thiago Cintra Oppermann, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU
Professor Nicole Haley, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU

Panel 4: A new era of Pacific migration pathways

Convenor
Dr Rochelle Lee-Bailey, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU
Speakers
Professor Stephen Howes, Development Policy Centre, ANU
Ms Akka Rimon, PhD candidate, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU
Ms Tanya Pouwhare, Chair of New Zealand Ethical Employers
Dr Matt Withers, Department of Sociology, ANU

Panel 5: Pacific masculinities and feminisms: foes or friends?

Convenor
Dr Sonia Palmieri, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU
Speakers
Dr Mercy Masta, Project Manager, Pacific, Conciliation Resources
Mr Romitesh Kant, PhD candidate, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU
Dr Jessica Collins, Research Fellow, Lowy Institute
Dr Domenica Calabrò, Discipline Coordinator Gender Studies, USP
Dr Sonia Palmieri, Department of Pacific Affairs, ANU