AAUN FORUM & AGM 2016

19 May 2016 admin

Please join us, and other leaders in the field of Australia-Africa relations, for AAUN’s Annual Conference and AGM on 5 September 2016.

(Registration has closed)

Please read this practical information in regards to logistics carefully as it includes bus pickup times (the bus to the venue leaves at 8 am sharp from Perth CBD) and other important information.

Main themes, Program & Speakers

The practical implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Australia Africa Competitive Advantages’ including Chinese, European and American partnerships

Please follow this link to view the program. We include speakers’ bios & abstracts, as well as reference papers for your information:

Conference Objectives

The objective is to share information between the continents and to develop strategic partnership and capacity that deliver practical outcomes between business, academia and government.

Practical outcomes:

Position paper or brief for policy makers in Australia and Africa
Several research programs are likely to arise
Call for AAUN Partnership and Research Development (PRDF) seed fund bids in late September (catalytic grants of average $10K to build strategic and sustainable research and exchange programs)

Please share this information with anyone who may be interested and/or contact us for more information.

Participants

We expect up to 100 expert participants from academia, government, diplomats, business, agencies. We are pleased to welcome guests and observers from cooperating networks and NGOs, including to the AAUN AGM meeting.

We are grateful to the University of Western Australia for hosting the AAUN Forum allied to UWA Research Week. The AAUN Forum is also a part of Australia Africa Week, 5-9 September 2016.

Register now to:

Hear powerful talks on 4 topics (listed below)
Explore funding & partnership options for your research
Contribute to shaping AAUN’s strategy for the coming years
Build your network

Please follow this link to the registration page.

Thanks to our sponsors DFAT, ACIAR and the Australian Government Department of Education and Training we can offer free registration for the AAUN Annual Forum and AGM.

Registration is closed.

Conference dinner

As a research network, depending on subscriptions and grants, we put as much as we can towards the Australia Africa research programs. You are most welcome to join the Conference Dinner for AU$ 100,00 to cover cost price and GST. Drinks included.

You are encouraged to register here to join us for dinner at the University Club.

Registration is closed.

Plenary sessions & workshops

In the morning you will have the opportunity to hear influential speakers on the following topics:

The global policy framework
What are the priorities and practical applications for policies in Climate Change, the Sustainable Development Goals, The Chinese “Belt and Road” approach and the Trans Pacific Partnership? How best can Australia and its African Partners align and engage?
Knowledge Partnerships in areas of mutual advantage & challenges
What are the most effective institutional links and people to people programs that can build strong approaches to mutual challenges, while uncovering mutual opportunities?
Science, Technology and Innovation for economic development
How can the sectors represented at Australia Africa Week, from business, academia and government, work together in building critical mass and more holistic engagement for mutual benefit?
Health, Nutrition and Food Security, with related areas of higher education
What are the priorities for equal partnerships in research, education and training that will serve national environmental and socio-economic interests, while building capacities and impact.

The workshop sessions in the afternoon aim to generate concrete project ideas considering the following:

Exploring common priorities across Australia and Africa countries and identify priority programs and projects for taking strong partnerships forward
Learning from last year (AAC 2015) and the projects that were funded with seed funds from AAUN, sponsored by the Australian Government
Identifying priority projects arising from the workshop that might be competitive for seed funding in 2016-17
Forming potential business and academic partnerships between participants from the two continents

Joint symposium on 6 September

“Forging a new partnership: How mining companies and their communities can prosper together”

We encourage you to also attend the joint symposium (on Agriculture & Food, Nutrition & Health, Education & Training, and Mining & Extractives) with the Australia Africa Research Forum on Tuesday 6 September.

Please register via this link.

Book your accommodation with a special AAUN rate

With regards to accommodation in Perth, we recommend the Mercure Hotel and Travelodge in Perth CBD. These hotels are next to each other, and walking distance from ‘Africa Down Under’ (ADU) which takes place in the Novotel Perth Langley and Pan Pacific Perth on 7-9 September 2016.

We have secured special rates for our delegates at three hotels:

Travelodge

Book directly with the hotel by phone + 61 8 9238 1888 and use the promo code: AAUN2016 or book online via this link: Travelodge Perth

Rates Applicable for 3 – 10September 2016:

Guest Room $175 per night
Balcony Room $195 per night

Mercure Perth AAUN Events Mercure Perth

Rate: AUD$ 215.00 per room, per night, room only

Ibis Perth AAUN Events Ibis Perth

Rate: AUD$ 195.00 per room, per night, room only

Please note the Ibis hotel is a bit further from the shuttle but pickup location – Travelodge Hotel – and you would need to make your own way there.

Please phone the hotel on +61 08 9326 7000 or book via the link above.

Bus transport to and from the conference venue

You can register for the complimentary shuttle bus that runs 3 times on Monday 5 September. Registration (via email aaun.events@sydney.edu.au) is possible until Monday 29 August 2016 COB.

Pickup at 8.00 am (sharp) will be in front of Travelodge Perth, 417 Hay Street, PERTH, Western Australia 6000.

You can either return at 4.15 pm, or 9 pm if you attend the conference dinner.

The afternoon and evening shuttles leave from the front entrance of the University of Western Australia Club and drop you off in front of Travelodge Perth, 417 Hay Street, PERTH, Western Australia 6000.

Missed the bus?

You can signal to a driver of a passing taxi – if their taxi roof light is on, it means they are free. There is a taxi rank at 140 William Street, Perth, or call +61 13 13 30 (Swan Taxis) or +61 133 222 (Black and White Cabs) to book the first available cab.

More information on how to catch a taxi is available on this website.

Africa Down Under Week

AAUN members are encouraged to also participate in Africa Down Under (7-9 September), which focuses on the mining and extractives industries in Australia and Africa. The week will have the engagement of the DFAT and its Advisory Group on Australia-Africa Relations, attendance of Ministers and Heads of Mission, and organisations representing the African diaspora.

During Africa Week, several Australia based organisations will hold conferences, fora, seminars and workshops, building teamwork and cooperation towards 2020 and beyond.

The events through will focus on the existing challenges that Africa face and observe opportunities where Africa and Australia could initiate joint projects to influence policies to create wealth and improve quality of life in both continents. The forum is an initiative promoted by business, academia and governments through involvement of African diplomat missions and with support from DFAT.

Contacts

Australia Africa Universities Network (AAUN) Forum and AGM
Date: 5 September 2016
Venue: Conference and Staff Centre, The University of Western Australia, Perth
Contact: Marije Nieuwenhuis, AAUN Program Manager
Email: aaun.events@sydney.edu.au

Australia Africa Research Forum (research related to extractives and mining)
Date: 6 September 2016
Venue: Novotel Perth Langley | 221 Adelaide Terrace Perth, WA 6000 Australia | +61 8 9221 1200
Contact: David Doepel, Chair, Africa Research Group at Murdoch University and Chair, Africa Australia Research Forum
Email: d.doepel@murdoch.edu.au
Website: www.africadownunderconference.com

Africa Down Under (extractives and mining)
Date: 7-9 September 2016
Venue: Pan Pacific and Novotel Hotels
Contact: Tammy Caldwell, Marketing & Conference Manager, Paydirt Media Office
Email: tammy@paydirt.com.au
Website: www.africadownunderconference.com