Future Development of South Pacific Island Economies: Evening Reception with Exhibition and Panel Discussion
(ICD House, September 15th, 2011)
The South Pacific Evening Reception was organized by Clarissa Baerenfaenger in collaboration with the Institute´s board of directors. Being aware of the remote location of many South Pacific Island nations, the aim of the South Pacific Evening Reception was to draw the attention of the conference participants to economic chances and political opportunities of a region which often appears to be at the back of beyond. The evening started with an introductory presentation on Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia, including tribal culture and current issues in the South Pacific. The introductory presentation was followed by a panel discussion comprising of experts in the fields of academia, international relations and politics and presented economic and political perspectives on the sustainable development of South Pacific Island economies. The talk included topics which ranged from a discussion of Geoff Bertram´s Mirab model to a discourse on Fiji´s suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum to the Liquid Natural Gas Project by Exxon Mobile in Papua New Guinea. After exciting discussions, which offered the conference participants many new insights into the economics and politics of some of the remotes places on earth, the evening was concluded by a fascinating exhibition on the culture and art of the Asmat by the Asmat Art Gallery in Berlin. Traditional music, handicrafts, island maps and oils were contributed by La Pirogue Berlin.
I would like to express my gratitude to everybody who contributed to this fascinating evening, including the Pacific-Network Germany, Wantok, the ICD Board of Directors and interns, the conference participants, La Pirogue and the Asmat Art Gallery.
For further information, you are welcome to contact Event Manager Clarissa Baerenfaenger.
