2007 Pacific Rim Policy Conference Presentations

Published on Friday, May 25, 2007
ARTICLES

Intellectual Property - Intellectual property, in a variety of forms, continues to face challenges and criticisms around the globe. From questions of copyright piracy in Asia to challenges of compulsory licensing of pharmaceutical products in Brazil, policy makers and global leaders continue to debate the role of government in defending private property in a market-based economy. Our panelists will discuss to what extent government can AND should protect intellectual property in a free market system.

Moderator: Scott LaGanga, Property Rights Alliance (United States)

• Yasutoshi Magara, Asian Forum Japan (Japan)
• Barun Mitra, Managing Trustee, Liberty Institute (India)
  
  2007 Pacific Rim Policy Conference: Mitra
  
  
• David Farrar, Kiwiblog.co.nz (New Zealand)
  
  2007 Pacific Rim Policy Conference: Farrar
  
  
• Christopher Costigan, Director, Corporate Affairs, Pfizer Asia (Hong Kong)

Global Capital - Capitalists argue that the free movement of capital around the globe fosters job growth and economic prosperity for countries, companies and individuals. Yet, barriers still exist which often inhibit this free flow of goods and services in the global arena. Panelists will discuss these obstacles, ranging from tariffs and international tax regimes to trade and labor migration. What effect does each have on the global economy and the future of capital markets?

Moderator: Sally Pipes, Pacific Research Institute (United States)

• Andrew Work, Executive Director, The Lion Rock Institute (Hong Kong)
• Martin Krause, ESEADE (Argentina)
  
  2007 Pacific Rim Policy Conference: Krause
  
  
• Bill Stacey, Vice President, Equities, Credit Suisse (Hong Kong)
• Wayne Mapp, Member of New Zealand Parliament (New Zealand)
  
  2007 Pacific Rim Policy Conference: Mapp
  
  

Climate Change - The global debate over climate change continues to create a division in the public policy community. There are those individuals, companies and government leaders that continue to advocate for public sector intervention, either through taxation or regulation. Yet, others argue that no action should be taken without conclusive evidence that a negative economic impact is minimized. This panel will foster a discussion less engaged in the scientific arguments for and against climate change, but more directed at the market-based solutions that can or have played a successful role in this global debate.

• Todd Myers, Center for Environmental Policy, Washington Policy Center (United States)
• Julian Morris, Executive Director, International Policy Network
• Minister Marcelo Cima, Minister of the Embassy of Argentina to the United States (Argentina)
  
  2007 Pacific Rim Policy Conference: Cima
  
  
• Tim Wilson, Research Fellow, Institute for Public Affairs (Australia)

Coalition Building - It is important to build a broad coalition which encompasses individuals who, while they may disagree on certain aspects of policy, agree on their desire to limit the role of government in their lives. This has been extremely successful in the United States and other areas around the globe. This panel will explore the concept of coalition building in the U.S. and the similarities and differences experienced by the international think tank community in their own endeavors. Additionally, a section of this panel will be devoted to discussing the key components to starting, growing, and promoting a broad-based coalition.

Moderator: Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform Foundation (United States)

• Dick Rowland, President, Grassroot Institute (United States)
• Shane Frith, Stockholm Network (United Kingdom)
• Alec van Gelder, Research Fellow, International Policy Network (United Kingdom)
  
  

  2007 Pacific Rim Policy Conference: van Gelder

• John Williamson, Federal Director, Canadian Taxpayers Federation (Canada)
• Masaru Uchiyama, Japanese for Tax Reform (Japan)

Regulatory Reform - Governments around the world just can't seem to stop intruding on the private sector. Aggressive government regulation of a variety of global industries continues to stifle innovation, increase prices, and reduce consumer choice. Our panelists will explore industries that include telecommunications, energy, and food services. Furthermore, the panel will discuss the international impact of the United States' implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley: the law which sought to regulate publicly traded companies in the U.S. following the events of 2002, yet has had a chilling effect on financial services.

Moderator: Dr. John Rutledge, Rutledge Capital (United States)

• Ryan Ellis, Executive Director, Alliance for Worker Freedom (United States)
• Jose L. Tapia-Rocha, General Director, Instituto de Libre Empresa (Peru)
  
  

  2007 Pacific Rim Policy Conference: Tapia-Rocha

• Xingyuan Feng, Co-Founder, Cathay Institute of Public Affairs (China)
  
  2007 Pacific Rim Policy Conference: Feng
  
  
• Dick Botti, President, Hawaii Food Industry Association (United States)
• David Emerson, Lead21 (United States)
  
  2007 Pacific Rim Policy Conference: Emerson
  

Privatization - There have been great strides made globally to reduce the size of government through the implementation of competition and outsourced government procurement. Taking services out of the public sector and providing an avenue for competitive private sector action has already seen great success. Yet, the "public vs. private" battle is an ongoing war. This panel will explore the history, challenges, and ultimate successes of issues ranging from postal reform in New Zealand to Social Security restructuring in Chile to transportation streamlining in the U.S.

Moderator: Geoff Segal, Director of Government Reform, Reason (United States)

• Nonoy Oplas, Philippine Taxpayers Union (Philippines)
  
  

  2007 Pacific Rim Policy Conference: Oplas

• Hon. Richard Prebble, Member of Parliament (ret.), (New Zealand)
• John Charles, President, Cascade Policy Institute (United States)
• Dr. Jose Piñera, International Center for Pension Reform (Chile)