In May and June, IM4DC hosted alumni days in both Indonesia and Mongolia for alumni from Australian-funded mining governance training and capacity building programs, including IM4DC.
The one-day forums provided alumni the opportunity to provide feedback on the impact of mining for development activities, and identify potential new research and education collaborations, strengthen existing partnerships and provide recommendations on future mining for development capacity-building priorities and delivery modes.
In Mongolia, the alumni day ‘Mining for Development: A Mongolian Perspective’ was combined with the launch of the Australian Aid funded handbook ‘Responsible Mining in Mongolia: Enhancing Positive Engagement’. The event was jointly organised by the Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) at The University of Queensland, the Gender Center for Sustainable Development (Mongolia), and IM4DC.
Opened by Ms Stephanie Werner, the Counsellor (Political), from the Australian Embassy in Seoul, the forum brought together 110 government officials, civil society organisations, industry representatives and academics to help improve local knowledge and understanding of current challenges and opportunities facing Mongolia in relation to mining for development. In particular, it aimed to facilitate multi-stakeholder discussions about achieving actionable sustainable, localised and inclusive benefits.
A series of panel discussions relating to the thematic areas of governance, social development, and environmental issues, and specifically how they relate to herder groups, and women and men took place. The afternoon session included a workshop component whereby participants explored current challenges and potential opportunities for future mining development.
In Indonesia, more than 80 alumni met to exchange ideas on new initiatives and best practice in Indonesia’s mining sector. The one day forum provided alumni the opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and share experiences and dialogues on the theme ‘Creating Shared Prosperity from Mineral and Energy Resources’. A report from the Alumni Day will be presented to the Mnister.
Keynote speakers included Ambassador Sudaryomo Hartosudarmo, Member of the Economic Diplomacy Taskforce; Mr Hanief Arie Setianto, Advisor to the Minister of Mines and Energy; and Mr James Gilling, Minister, Development Cooperation at the Australian Embassy in Indonesia, and who is also Australia’s Ambassador for HIV/Aids, Malaria and Tuberculosis.