Join the Institute for Economics and Peace, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Pacific Affairs at ANU for a discussion on how to measure Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG16) across the Pacific.

Sustainable Development Goal 16 seeks to capture the progress of nations towards peace, justice and strong institutions and is an important part of the wider 2030 development and conflict prevention agenda.

Some nations in the Pacific suffer from very high levels of interpersonal violence, including near epidemic rates of gender-based violence, ongoing ethnic tensions, violent land disputes and an increase in drug-related crime. There have also been notable historical instances of violent conflict including in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, as well as political unrest in Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu. Additionally, the region faces the threat multiplier of environmental hazards and climate change, which can exacerbate already existing grievances.

In this context, focusing on peace, justice and strong institutions is fundamental for building resilience and as a prerequisite for development. Violence and social unrest inhibits or deteriorates development gains. Measuring levels of violence and institutional strength identifies areas of strength and risk, informs evidence-based policy, helps strengthen resilience and provides early indicators of conflict, instability and violence.

This will include a discussion on why SDG16 should be measured in the Pacific, challenges to data availability and how the Pacific will strengthen its resilience in coming years. Speakers include Acting First Assistant Secretary of Development Policy Division for DFAT, Associate Professor Steve Hogg of the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, Michelle Rooney from the Development Policy Centre and Murray Ackman Research Fellow from the Institute for Economics and Peace.

Image by Montanafish on Flickr