For further information please contact Nicki Davies - Tel: 0410 590 408
MEDIA RELEASE
1 OCTOBER 2008
Environment and Human Security on the agenda at
international South Asia conference
Canberra will this week play host to the South Asia: Environment and Human Security*
Conference focusing on the challenges South Asia faces due to global climate change.
Environment, climate change, food security and the rising cost of living are key issues facing
people in South Asia.
The conference aims to enhance policymakers’ knowledge of climate change challenges and
discuss measures to alleviate them and implications for Australia’s aid policy.
A range of eminent speakers from the region will provide an important update on recent
developments with presentations and discussion on critical environment and human security
issues. The conference will be of keen interest to policymakers, aid and business
communities and students.
Sponsored by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), the annual
conference aims to enhance whole-of-government knowledge of the region and build ties
between experts, policymakers and tertiary institutions in Australia and South Asia.
Hosted by the Australia Research Council – Asia Pacific Futures Research Network, the
conference is organised by the South Asia Research Facility at La Trobe University. It is
another example of the Asia Pacific Futures Research Network bringing together Asia Pacific
knowledge to link university expertise with community, government and the private sector.
Speakers include Dr Shamshad Akhtar, Governor, State Bank of Pakistan; Dr Richard
Damania, Lead Environmental Economist, World Bank; Dr Nadeem Ul Haque, Division Chief,
Asian Region, IMF Institute, Washington DC; Dr Stephen Howes, Professorial Fellow,
Australian National University; Dr Govinda Rao, Director, National Institute of Public Finance
and Policy, India, and Member of the Economic Advisory Council of the Prime Minister of
India; Dr Mark Rosegrant, Division Director, International Food Policy Research Institute,
Washington DC; Dr Mahabub Hossain, Executive Director, Bangladesh Rural Advancement
Committee; and Mr Kunio Senga, Director General, South Asia Department, Asian
Development Bank.
Date:
Thursday October 2 and Friday October 3, 2008
Time:
9am – 5pm
Venue:
The Visions Theatre, National Museum of Australia,
Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, CANBERRA
* South Asia is home to a quarter of the world’s people, and over half of the world’s poor. Despite the
second highest rate of regional economic growth, insecurity, corruption and poor governance are
undermining development outcomes. Environmental degradation is also a growing issue, with South
Asia prone to natural disasters and vulnerable to climate change. In this context, Australia’s interests in
South Asia continue to grow, particularly in the areas of commerce, security and education.
For further information please contact Nicki Davies - Tel: 0410 590 408
South Asia: Environment and Human Security Conference
2-3 October 2008
National Museum of Australia, Canberra
Interviews can be scheduled with the following people (subject to availability)
DR M. GOVINDA RAO - Director
National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP), New Delhi, India
Dr Govinda Rao is the Director of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP),
New Delhi, a major Think Tank on Fiscal Policy in India. He is also a Member of the
Economic Advisory Council of the Prime Minister of India. His past positions include Director,
Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore (1998-2002), Fellow, Research School
of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia (1995-98)
and Professor, NIPFP. He is a Member of Board of Governors of Institute of Economic
Growth, New Delhi and Madras School of Economics, Chennai. He has a number of advisory
roles. These include, Member, International Advisory Panel on Governance, UNDP
Chairman, Expert Group on Taxation of Services (2000-01); Chairman, Technical Experts
Committee on VAT. Dr. Rao’s research interests include public finance and fiscal policy, fiscal
federalism and State and Local finance.
DR MARK W. ROSEGRANT – Director
Environment and Production Technology Division,
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington, DC.
With a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Michigan, Dr Rosegrant has 30 years of
experience in research and policy analysis in agriculture and economic development, with an
emphasis on water resources and other critical natural resource and agricultural policy issues
as they impact food security, rural livelihoods, and environmental sustainability. Dr. Rosegrant
developed IFPRI's International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodities and
Trade (IMPACT), which has become a standard for projections and scenarios for global and
regional food demand, supply, trade, and prices; and IMPACT-WATER, which integrates a
detailed water supply and demand model with the food model. He currently directs research
on climate change, water resources, sustainable land management, genetic resources and
biotechnology, and agriculture and energy. Dr. Rosegrant has won numerous awards, is a
Fellow of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science, and in 2007 was elected
Distinguished Fellow of the American Agricultural Economics Association.
ROBIN JEFFREY – Director, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies
Professor Robin Jeffrey is the Convener of the College of Asia and the Pacific and Director of
the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies at the Australian National University (ANU).
His special interest is in the modern history and politics of India with published works about
Punjab in the north and Kerala in the south. Professor Jeffrey’s most recent research focuses
on the Indian media, notably the Indian newspaper industry.
For further information please contact Nicki Davies - Tel: 0410 590 408
South Asia: Environment and Human Security Conference
02-03 October 2008
National Museum of Australia, Canberra
About the ARC Asia Pacific Futures Research Network (APFRN)
The Australian Research Council - Asia Pacific Futures Research Network
(ARC APFRN) is an international vehicle for building research capacity to
enhance understanding of Australia’s role in the Asia Pacific region.
Established in 2004, the Network brings experienced researchers into
dynamic collaboration with government and industry with a view to stimulating
new research directions, partnerships and training opportunities.
In its five-year plan the Network will focus on Governance and Security,
Culture and Religion, Media and Communications, Health and Population,
and Trade and Industry.
A significant component of the Network is to ensure that new generations of
expert Asia Pacific researchers are nurtured through collaboration with
experienced researchers.
Network Convenor, Professor Louise Edwards is also available for
interview.
NEWS 
