09:00-10:30 PLENARY 3: Action taken by countries in response to the crisis
Since countries of the Pacific and their people have been affected by the crisis in different ways, a range of policy responses have been taken to protect the vulnerable. An assessment of these policy responses, in terms of their relevance, effectiveness and efficiency, as well as identification of constraints faced in implementing these policies could lead to greater understanding of how countries across the Pacific could better respond to the current and future crises.
Background Resources:
- ADB (2009) Pacific Economic Monitor, Issue Nr.1- May
- ADB (2009) Pacific Economic Monitor, Issue No.2- August
- ADB (2009) Pacific Economic Monitor, Issue No.3- November
- Surviving the global recession: Government of Australia and Government of New Zealand
10:30-11:00 Break
11:00-12:30 PLENARY 4: Inclusive Economic Growth and Social Policies
Achieving inclusive economic growth is a priority for most countries that are attempting to reduce inequality, make growth more equitable and spread the benefits more fairly among society. Inclusive economic growth is a cornerstone for poverty reduction and in times of crisis needs to be balanced with investment in social sectors to protect development gains, particularly for the vulnerable.
Main Resource:
Social policy in a post-crisis context in small island developing states: A synthesis (GEC/2)
Background Resources:
- UN ESCAP Macroeconomic Policy Brief
- The Global Financial Crisis and the Asia Pacific Region
- Bailing out the world’s poor: World Bank Policy Research Paper 4763
- The global financial crisis: Poverty and social protection: ODI Briefing Paper August 2009
12:30-14:00 Lunch
14:00-16:30 Parallel Working Sessions on Sectoral Challenges and Responses
Working Session A: Labor
This session proposes stimulus packages, based on market revenues and government and donor assistance that could strengthen new partnerships to improve markets, recognising the labour of women, their right to a decent place of work, and supporting their leadership in transforming Melanesian markets to economic development hubs, where human rights, human security and the informal economy can flourish. This session will also consider the impact of changes in employment growth and labor market demand on vulnerable groups and the gender implications. Linkages between the crisis and the increased burden for women of unpaid care work will be addressed.
Main Resources:
Pacific labour market scenarios: economic crisis, climate change and decent work (GEC/3)
The global economic crisis and unpaid care work in the Pacific (GEC/4)
Background Resource:
- ILO Global Employment Trends for Women
- Paper by Professor Duncan: Labour Market scenarios in the Pacific
Working Session B: Education
The global economic crisis has affected both the quality of and access to education. Recommendations emanating from discussions on evidence-based investment in education, early childhood development and child protection could highlight ways in which countries can attain commitments on education that they have made and enhance resilience to future crises in the Pacific.
Main Resource:
Background Resources:
Working Session C: Health and Food Security
Health is an entitlement to which people have a basic right. The crisis, however, has provoked an examination of the values that underpin societies. In the face of declining revenues and income, health should be recognized as a priority. Recommendations on how governments and development partners could respond to matters related to health and food security could lead to greater focus given to social justice.
Main Resource:
Background Resources:
- World Bank Averting the Crisis
- UNICEF Children, AIDS and the economic crises: What do we know? What can we do?
- Global economic downturn, food crisis and fuel price instability: exposures and impacts on child nutrition and health in East Asia and Pacific regions.
Working Session D: Governance and Legislative Agenda
Legislatures play a critical role in ensuring good governance, promoting human rights including gender equality and protecting vulnerable groups. Strengthening the interaction of the legislature with civil society, women, young people, disabled, the media and the private sector, harnesses the role of members of legislatures in carrying out their functions of representative, lawmaking and executive oversight, to better shape inclusive policies towards the achievement of national development priorities including the Millennium Development Goals.
The global economic crisis and the role of Pacific legislatures in protecting the vulnerable against future crises (GEC/8)
The impact of the global economic crisis on women and family livelihoods: an opportunity for promoting legal empowerment of the poor (GEC/9)
17:00-18:00 Parallel Working Sessions on Sectoral Challenges and Responses
(Cont’d)
17:00-18:00 PLENARY 5: Rejoinder/Summary of Working Sessions
Recap by the chairs of working sessions on main issues and action points noted.
FREE EVENING