On July 6, we were back for our first in-person WDPN event since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Symposium was staged at the central London Regent Street campus of the University of Westminster.
Our morning session focused on China’s role in shaping international development. We heard from Linda Calabrese (Overseas Development Institute) about Chinese investment and infrastructure development in Cambodia. This was also followed by a panel discussion with Dr Oleksandr Shepotylo (Aston University), Dr Marina Rudyak (University of Heidelberg), Professor Markus Taube (University of Duisburg-Essen) and Professor Richard Pomfret (University of Adelaide).
The afternoon started with Professor Andy McKay (University of Sussex) discussing the challenge of gender differentials in employment in selected African countries. The subsequent panel discussion explored the challenges in reducing the gender employment gap – Dr Erendira Leon Bravo (University of Westminster), Dr Sanchari Roy (King’s College London) and Dr Gary Slater (University of Leeds).
Towards the end of the day we arranged a joint session with The Forum for Uzbek and Silk Road Studies (FUSRS), where Professor Richard Pomfret (University of Adelaide) delivered a keynote speech that discussed Central Asian countries after 30 years of independence. We the finished off with a drinks reception to celebrate 20 years of the University of Westminster – Westminster International University in Tashkent hosted by Peter Bonfield (Vice-Chancellor, University of Westminster).
Particular thanks to Bakhrom Mirkasimov (Rector of Westminster International University in Tashkent), Dr Boidurjo Rick Mukhopadhyay (University of Southampton Solent), Professor Roland Dannreuther (University of Westminster), Dr Erendira Leon-Bravo (University of Westminster), Stephen Wallis (University of Westminster), Joseph Coote-Cowling (University of Westminster).
westminsterdpn.com 