The Future of Public Policy Symposium

Programme Schedule
Time 
Session  
Chair 
8.30 am
Registration and refreshments
 
9-9.45 am
Opening: Formal welcome
 
10-11 am
Session 1—Democracy, Polarisation and Trust
Growing polarisation and declining trust are posing challenges for democracies around the world, including Aotearoa New Zealand. This panel brings together three speakers from different professions to share their perspectives on where democracy is going astray, the forces driving division and distrust and what can be done to strengthen democratic institutions and public confidence.
Max Rashbrooke
11-11.30 am
Morning Tea
 
11.30 am-12.30 pm
Session 2—Resilience in a Changing Climate 
This session will consider what it means to be resilient in a changing climate. Panellists will discuss what attributes the public sector and public policy need to have or strengthen to deal with compounding crises, against a backdrop of increasing challenges to democratic principles and the role of evidence in decision-making. Panellists will also be asked to reflect on what this means for the role of universities and the training they provide for the next generation of public servants and scientists seeking to inform public policies and governance of shared resources.
Andy Reisinger
12.30-1.30 pm
Lunch
 
1.30-2.30 pm
Session 3—AI and The Future of the Public Service
Artificial Intelligence is possibly the most divisive subject of current times, positioned as either the saviour of public service or its ultimate nemesis.   Join our panel of policy practitioner experts - and AI itself - as we discuss both the potential realities already here, and the existential questions lying in wait in the very near future.
Michael Macaulay and Barbara Allen
2.30-3 pm
Afternoon tea and networking
 
3-4 pm
Synthesis of the day and closing
 
   6 pmReception at Banquet Hall, Parliament