The Westminster Development Policy Network (WDPN) has returned on 6 July with its first in-person event since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, taking place at the central London Regent Campus of the University of Westminster.
The morning session focused on China’s role in shaping international development. The audience heard from Linda Calabrese from the Overseas Development Institute about Chinese investment and infrastructure development in Cambodia. This was followed by a panel discussion with Dr Oleksandr Shepotylo from Aston University, Dr Marina Rudyak from the University of Heidelberg, Professor Markus Taube from the University of Duisburg-Essen and Professor Richard Pomfret from the University of Adelaide.
The afternoon started with University of Sussex’s Professor Andy McKay discussing the challenge of gender differentials in employment in selected African countries. The subsequent panel discussion, involving Dr Erendira Leon Bravo from the University of Westminster, Dr Sanchari Roy from King’s College London and Dr Gary Slater from the University of Leeds, explored the challenges in reducing the gender employment gap.
Concluding the day, a joint session with The Forum for Uzbek and Silk Road Studies (FUSRS) was arranged, where Professor Richard Pomfret delivered a keynote speech that discussed Central Asian countries after 30 years of independence. The delegates finished off with a drinks reception to celebrate 20 years of partnership between the University of Westminster and Westminster International University in Tashkent hosted by Dr Peter Bonfield , Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Westminster.
WDPN have extended their special thanks to Bakhrom Mirkasimov, Rector of Westminster International University in Tashkent, Dr Boidurjo Rick Mukhopadhyay from the University of Southampton Solent, as well as Professor Roland Dannreuther, Dr Erendira Leon-Bravo, Stephen Wallis and Joseph Coote-Cowling from the University of Westminster.
Dr Karen Jackson, Assistant Head of Westminster’s School of Organisations, Economy and Society, and Co-convenor of the Westminster Development Policy Network, said: “The 2022 edition of the Westminster Development Studies Symposium included a celebration of 20 years of the University of Westminster – Westminster International University in Tashkent, making the day even more special. Colleagues from Tashkent joined students, academics, business leaders and policy makers to debate some of the key development challenges in our central London campus. We are already looking forward to next year’s event!”
The Westminster Development Policy Network brings together researchers from a wide range of disciplines working on development policy.
Find out more about the Westminster Development Policy Network.
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