The Praxis Discussion Series was established by the World Bank office in Sydney, Australia in order to provide a forum to discuss ideas, approaches, initiatives and policy pertinent to international development. Launched in January 2009 in partnership with Australian public affairs television channel A-PAC, the series aims to stimulate debate and promote the exchange of ideas. A one-hour panel-style program, the show is recorded throughout the year at the World Bank office.[1]
Each session features three specialists on a select topic relating to international development. To coincide with the World Bank's work in the Pacific region, a World Bank representative is usually a part of the panel,[2] joined by two other guest speakers providing different perspectives on the issue at hand.
Recognising a gap in the development conversation, Praxis opened its doors to one and all, allowing the general public to sit alongside representatives from Australian government departments, civil society and non-government organisations, and the private sector, as well as various academics and students, in order to tackle development issues from a variety of perspectives. With the deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals coming up in 2015, such discussions are becoming increasingly important. Interactivity is valued above all else, and every audience member has the opportunity to have their say and question the views of the panelists.
Discussions are also broadcast in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea,[3] while the World Bank's YouTube channel provides content online. Further, the involvement of the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) has meant that audiences in Timor-Leste, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea have been able to take part in discussions via video conference.
Mai Malaulau, Labour Migration Specialist, World Bank; Luke Craven, University of Sydney and Ms. Kanasa, Ikale Contractors, an Australian employment company for the Australian Seasonal Worker Program.
Poverty and Hardship in the Pacific
March
Rex Horoi, Executive Director for the Foundation of the Peoples of the South Pacific International (FSPI); David Abbott, Economic Development Specialist; Truman Packard, Lead Economist, Human Development Sector, World Bank
Early Childhood Care and Education
January
Raelyn Lolohea 'Esau, Deputy Director, Ministry of Education and Training in Tonga; Dr Sally Brinkman, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research; Mary-Ruth Mendel, Co-founder and Chairman of the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation; Myrna Machuca-Sierra, Education Specialist, World Bank
Ferid Belhaj, World Bank; Veronica L. Taylor, Australian National University; Ali Tuhanuku, Consultant with Solomon Islands' Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs
Gender Equality and Development
Thursday 6 October
Gillian Brown, AusAID; Lulu Mitshabu, Caritas Australia and Julie McKay, UN Women Australia
Poverty and Livelihoods
Thursday 10 November
Michal Rutkowski, World Bank; Patrick Vakaoti, Australian National University; Bharath Mohan, Care Australia; Virginia Horscroft, World Bank
Vikram Nehru, World Bank; Mark Thirlwell, Lowy Institute; Tim Harcourt, Austrade
Climate Change
Monday 23 March
Wanita Limpus, Kiribati Australia Association; Paul Gilding, Independent writer and advisor; Marianne Grosclaude, World Bank
Energy
Tuesday 28 April
Dr. Mark Diesendorf, University of NSW; Jack Whelan, Foundation for Development Cooperation; Tendai Gregan, World Bank
Education
Monday 25 May
Archie Law, ActionAid Australia; Felicity Mitchell, teacher and former Australian Youth Ambassador; Barbra Daufanamae, student from Solomon Islands; Stephen Close, World Bank.
Technology
Monday 29 June
Margaret Duckett, Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific; Jonathan Greenacre, Clayton Utz and Step Safe; Greg Tucker, Payment Services Ltd. and Money Mover Systems.
The Hon. Bob McMullan, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance; Tim Costello, World Vision Australia; Stephen Close, World Bank.
Development in Post-Conflict States
Monday 21 September
Kanthan Shankar, World Bank; Mark McGillivray, AusAID; and Michael Smith, Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence.
Climate Change 2
Monday 26 October
Robert Hill, Australian Carbon Trust and University of Sydney; Brian Dawson, AusAID; and Charles Feinstein, World Bank.
