Beyongo Dynamic’s 2018 thesis
‘Regulating foreign direct investments in resource-dependent African countries : the case of chinese investments in Zambia’s copper mining sector’ is available digitally at:
https://library.anu.edu.au/search~S1/?searchtype=Y&searcharg=Beyongo+Dynamic&searchscope=4&sortdropdown=-&SORT=DZ&extended=0&SUBMIT=Search&searchlimits=&searchorigarg=YBeyongo+Dynamic%26SORT%3DD

ABSTRACT
Several studies have examined the diverse social, economic and political impacts of Chinese investments on African countries. While some studies argue that Chinese investments has positively impacted on these countries, others claim that it has led to the weakening of local regulations and local industries. Throughout many aspects of this debate, scholars and commentators tend to consider African actors and agents as passive objects shaped by Chinese investments, often neglecting the subtle ways in which local actors and institutions interact with Chinese investments to both resist and shape various outcomes. This thesis addresses this oversight in the specific context of safety and environmental regulations of Chinese investments in Zambia’s copper mining sector. The thesis adopts a political economy approach, which contends that host country actors and institutions both resist and cooperate with foreign companies to shape investments practices. In particular, some local actors have responded to Foreign Direct investments (FDI) by re-vamping domestic institutions to counter more effectively the negative impact of FDI. I use this approach to examine how local actors have responded to events and practices involving two Chinese mining companies operating in Zambia……..’

ANU scholarship holder Ms Audrey Kalindi has arrived in Canberra. She is currently a lecturer in the Department of Population Studies at the University of
Zambia, where she is involved in teaching and research, and is the course
convener of a new postgraduate diploma in programme monitoring and evaluation offered by the University.
Audrey’s research topic on understanding the institutional and community factors associated with maternal mortality in Zambia is important in contributing to the scarce knowledge base about maternal and childbirth outcomes in poor and developing countries.

A public panel discussion, ‘State fragility and how to escape it’, will be held on Friday 29 November 4:30-6pm, at Molonglo Theatre, Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU

For more details including registration see https://devpolicy.crawford.anu.edu.au/department-news/15492/state-fragility-and-how-escape-it?utm_source=Devpolicy&utm_campaign=eaf9a7f704-Devpolicy+News+Dec+15+2017_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_082b498f84-eaf9a7f704-250032321

‘About half of the world’s poor live in fragile and conflict-affected states. The governments in these countries lack the legitimacy and capacity to provide protection and deliver the jobs, public services, and opportunities their people need. The perils of state fragility are not constrained to national boundaries. It also drives mass migration, trafficking and terrorism. However, despite increasing attention by domestic and international actors, the outcomes of interventions in addressing fragility have been mixed and often counterproductive.’

By building on seven in-depth country case studies, three of which are in Africa  (Burundi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone ) the other four being Afghanistan, Lebanon, Pakistan, and Papua New Guinea) and recent developments in the field, this panel discusses dimensions of state fragility and pathways that can help to escape fragility. This event is part of an ongoing research project on state fragility at the Development Policy Centre, Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU.

Panellists are:

Dr Nematullah Bizhan, Lecturer at the Development Policy Centre, ANU.

Saku Akmeemana,  Principal Specialist for Governance,  Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Dr Bilal Malaeb,  postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Global Affairs at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

The panel will be chaired by Professor Stephen Howes, Professor of Economics and Director of the Development Policy Centre, ANU