29 March 2007

Social Policy conference examines the importance of social investment

Social Policy conference examines the importance of social investment
Child poverty, aging populations, and ethnic diversity are just some of the many topics that will be under discussion next week at a major social policy conference being hosted by the Ministry of Social Development.

Held from Tuesday 3 April to Thursday 5 April 2007 in Wellington, the Social Policy Research and Evaluation Conference 2007 brings together renowned global speakers from Sweden, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia as well national leaders on a vast range of social policy and research issues.

The three day conference will be opened by the Prime Minister Helen Clark who will deliver a keynote speech on the government’s record in social investment. The Minister for Social Development and Employment David Benson-Pope and the Minister for Research, Science and Technology Steve Maharey will also address the conference.

The first day focuses on Social Investment and examines how we ensure effective, fair and sustainable social outcomes for New Zealanders.

Day two covers Social Dynamics looking at what is distinctive about New Zealand values and culture and how this will change over time.

The final day examines the global context for social policy and explores the opportunities and challenges we face as New Zealanders in a changing world.

In addition, more than 100 papers will be presented by New Zealand researchers and analysts in parallel sessions.

The Ministry of Social Development is being supported in hosting the conference at the Wellington Convention Centre with sponsorship from the Ministries of Justice and Health and other public and private sector groups.

For the full programme please visit:
www.msd.govt.nz/social-policy-conference

Note to Editors

A number of places have been set aside for New Zealand and international news media, free of charge. We are also happy to facilitate interviews with conference speakers.

To register or arrange an interview with any of the conference speakers please contact: Bronwyn Saunders, Chief Media Advisor Ministry of Social Development - (04) 916 3447 or 029 916 3887 or bronwyn.saunders002@msd.govt.nz

Registration provides full access to the conference, the speakers and workshops and includes conference material, lunches, morning and afternoon teas.

Conference passes and other material will be available from the registration desk in the Fletcher Challenge Foyer, ground floor, Michael Fowler Centre.

A room has been set aside in the Wellington Town Hall for media, and this will include an internet port. Desks and chairs will also be available, and the room can also be used for interviews.

Social Policy Research and Evaluation Conference 2007
Keynote Speakers

PROFESSOR JOAKIM PALME
Professor at the Swedish Institute for Social Research, Stockholm University.

Sustainable social policies in an era of globalisation: Lessons from the Swedish case

Professor Palme argues that in a globalised economy the “destructive” forces of the market competition have to be met by “constructive” social policies. His paper focuses on the need to develop social policies that will secure a sustainable future our children rather than placing unbalanced emphasis on pension reforms and savings. He sees gender balance and investing in life-long learning as critical to putting our children and youth first.

Joakim Palme has been the director of the Institute for Futures Studies since November 2002 and from 1999 to 2001 chaired the Welfare Commission appointed by the Swedish Government.

PROFESSOR HOLLY SUTHERLAND
Research Professor, the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex, United Kingdom.

Good housekeeping: Laying down the basis for sustained poverty reduction.

Professor Holly Sutherland will draw on the experience of the United Kingdom’s child poverty agenda over the past eight years and looks at its prospects for a sustained reduction in child poverty.

Specialising in public policy changes on poverty and inequality, Professor Sutherland coordinates the development and use of the European Union tax-benefit model, EUROMOD.

Her current research interests include the gender effects of income redistribution policies and child poverty measurement and analysis.

PROFESSOR KEITH BANTING
Holder of the Queen’s Research Chair in Public Policy, Queen’s University, Canada.

Multiculturalism, social integration and social policy: Challenging the new pessimism.

Professor Keith Banting presents new research on the relationship between immigration, multiculturalism and social spending across OECD countries. He argues that the most effective forms of integration occur when individuals retain a clear sense of their ethnic identity but also participate actively in the wider society.

Professor Banting earned his doctorate from Oxford University, and has been a visiting
scholar at the London School of Economics, the Brookings Institution, Harvard University, Oxford University and the European University Institute.

Keith Banting’s research interests focus on social policy in Canada and other western nations. He is the author or editor of 15 books and numerous articles dealing with public
policy.

His current research examines the implications of ethnic diversity and multiculturalism for the welfare state, and he is an editor of two books dealing with these issues:

PROFESSOR KONAI THAMAN
Professor of Pacific Education and UNESCO Chair in Teacher Education and Culture at the University of the South Pacific (USP).

Acknowledging change and valuing difference: Towards cultural and cognitive democracy in education in plural societies.

Professor Thaman will focus on the cultural challenges implicit in New Zealand’s demographic shift to a younger more multicultural society with a strong Asia-Pacific mix. She examines how this change will influence approaches to education and argues that Pacific indigenous notions of successful learning must play a part in educational policy if social cohesion is to be sustained.

She has been a staff member of USP since 1974 and held several senior administrative positions, including Director of the Institute of Education, Head of the School of Humanities, and Pro Vice Chancellor.

Her hobby is creative writing and five collections of her poetry have been published. Her writing is studied by school and university students throughout the Pacific region.

MS ANJUM RAHMAN
Anjum Rahman is a Chartered Accountant by profession.

Opening the door to the future, bridging the cultural divide.

Ms Rahman addresses the challenges faced by ethnic minorities in adapting to mainstream New Zealand culture. She argues that although the Treaty of Waitangi illustrates the nation’s early acceptance of cultural plurality present practice falls far short of this ideal. She sees a need for us to question established cultural assumptions if we are to grow as a community and learn from other minority cultures.

She is involved in various community groups, being a founding member of Shama (Hamilton Ethnic Women’s Centre) and the Islamic Women’s Council.

MR WILLIE JACKSON

Chief Executive of Urban Màori Authority (UMA) Broadcasting,

Ratcheting up the empowerment dividend for urban Màori

Willie Jackson’s paper focuses on the importance of shifting resources directly to urban-based Maori institutions that understand Maori needs. Shifting resource control directly to urban Maori authorities will increase the confidence of urban Maori when dealing with government agencies and enable them to better manage themselves.

As Chief Executive of UMA , he is responsible for Radio Waateaand George FM and also supplies the national network of iwi radio stations with Màori language news, and Radio New Zealand with Màori news in English.

ENDS

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