KIX EMAP at the 2024 Australasian AID Conference

The KIX EMAP Hub organised a panel discussion, “Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange: A demand-driven approach to strengthening national education systems” at the 2024 Australasian AID Conference (AAC2024) held at the Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University on 3-5 December 2024. 

The Australasian AID Conference is Australia’s premier aid and development conference. AAC2024 brought together 600 researchers and other professionals from across Australia, the Pacific, Asia and beyond working on aid and international development policy to share insights, promote collaboration, and support development within the research community.  

The KIX EMAP panel was chaired by Sally-Anne Henfry, Assistant Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia, and featured the following experts:

• Nuong Nguyen, Vietnam Country Director, Room to Read and KIX EMAP Interim National Coordinator
• Tshelthrim Dorji, Planning Officer, Policy and Planning Division, Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Government of Bhutan and KIX EMAP EMAP National Coordinator
• Arushi Terway, Senior Technical Advisor, KIX EMAP Hub
• Aditi Desai, Knowledge Lead (Southeast Asia), KIX EMAP Hub

Aditi Desai and Arushi Terway highlighted the KIX EMAP Hub’s demand-driven approach to knowledge exchange and peer learning. They were followed by Nuong Nguyen, who shared her experience as the KIX EMAP National Coordinator in Vietnam. She offered an example of how the Hub is institutionalising successful reforms through multi-level, systemic approaches targeting diverse education stakeholders while addressing common policy priorities. 

Tshelthrim Dorji then provided an in-depth overview of KIX engagement in Bhutan, highlighting how participating in a range of activities such as webinars, Learning Cycles, etc. targets a network of relevant institutions and individuals, creating an ‘echo chamber’ effect that accelerates policy reform. He emphasised that  this approach not only supports the overall reform process, but also contributes to the institutionalisation of ‘capacity’ within national education systems.

The discussion highlighted how the KIX EMAP Hub facilitates knowledge generation, mobilisation, and capacity strengthening, ultimately contributing to the transformation of national education systems. It was one of the few  panels at the conference  focusing on education, and highlighted the need to center education within the broader international aid and development agenda.