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Brisbane hosts global political talks
BRISBANE will be a hub for the latest research and debate on world politics and governance with more than 2400 political science experts gathering for a five-day congress.
In an Australian first, Brisbane will host the 25th IPSA World Congress of Political Science from July 21-25 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC), delivering an economic boost of $7.7 million for the local economy.
The congress was secured through a competitive Team Brisbane bid involving Tourism and Events Queensland, BCEC and the city’s economic development board Brisbane Marketing, in partnership with local and national universities, and professional conference organiser ICMS Australasia.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the congress had attracted nearly 1,000 more delegates than projected, with 80 percent of delegates visiting from international destinations.
“Hosting a congress of this scale demonstrates Brisbane’s appeal as a business, research and leisure destination, and contributes to employment and economic benefits across our accommodation, venue, tourism and service sectors,” Cr Quirk said.
The Queensland Government said it was proud to support the IPSA World Congress of Political Science through Tourism and Events Queensland as part of the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.
BCEC general manager Bob O’Keefe said the centre was honoured to be selected as the venue for the world’s most prestigious international meeting for political science scholars. Such events, he said, demonstrated the world-class capabilities and expertise of BCEC.
“Securing conferences of this nature reflects the close collegiate relationship the Centre shares with Brisbane’s universities and academic community,” Mr O’Keefe said.
The impact of information technologies on global borders, the future of human rights and the rise of global populism are a few of the topics to be explored under the congress theme ‘borders and margins’.
Guy Lachapelle, International Political Science Association (IPSA) secretary general and professor of political science at Canada’s Concordia University, said the 25th IPSA World Congress would bring together over 2400 delegates from 85 countries.
“An IPSA World Congress is always a moment to look over the state of our discipline but also to look upon what IPSA has accomplished after 25 IPSA World Congresses. Today, our Association is certainly stronger, the collective membership has increased since 1949 (from four to 57) and has become a reference for debating world issues,” Mr Lachapelle said.
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