Asialink Diplomacy's Track II dialogues bring together Australia's leading academics, commentators, business people and diplomats with their counterparts in Asia, to discuss bilateral and regional relations.
Asialink Diplomacy's mission is to build more effective and closer relations between Australia and Asia, and shape dialogue in the region. Its objectives are threefold:
Influencing policy
Provide input into policy making on deepening and improving Australia's relations with Asia and influence throughout the region.
Developing networks
Create a network of leaders in the region familiar with Australian counterparts, prepared to speak frankly about key issues in difficult times.
Informing and engaging
Inform and contribute to public debate in Australia on Australia's relations with Asia, including engaging with the broader community.
-
Building Inclusive Representation in the Order of Australia Honours
The Order of Australia recognises individuals who have demonstrated remarkable achievements to Australia or humanity at large. In an effort to enhance its diversity, we were proud to co-host the event "Building Inclusive Representation in the Order of Australia Honours" in collaboration with EWC Australia Community Engagement at Science Gallery Melbourne.
-
Paper launch: Australia's Dilemmas: Then and Now
On 22 August, Asialink and the Robert Menzies Institute organised the paper launch of "Australia's Dilemmas: Then and Now" at Yasuko Hiraoka Myer Room, Sidney Myer Asia Centre. The paper informs the overarching tasks that transcend domestic and foreign policy towards which Australia needs to direct its energies to find security and prosperity in a more volatile, treacherous era.
-
The South Asia Conference 2023
In partnership with Australia Institute for International Affairs Victoria, Global Victoria, the Australia India Institute, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Victoria State Office, and the Australia India Chamber of Commerce, Asialink was proud to co-convene The South Asia Conference, which was held in Melbourne on Thursday, 13 July 2023.
-
Feminist Foreign Policy Roundtable
The discussion explored the key challenges facing the implementation of feminist foreign policy agendas across the region. It brought together diverse voices from Australia, France and across the Indo-Pacific. We spoke about the complicated implications of using the term feminism in an Asian context, and how we can work to decolonize feminist approaches.
-
Asialink China Think Tank Roundtable
Asialink and The Chinese Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy engaged in a roundtable dialogue to discuss the warming of the China-Australia bilateral relationship, and the implications for business, media and government sectors.
-
Challenges to the Rules Based Order: Agendas for Australia-ROK Cooperation Report Launch
Asialink and the Australian National University's Korea Institute are proud to host the launch of the "An Australia - ROK Roadmap for Development and Promotion of the Rules Based Order" report on May 2nd, 2023. The report is a major policy-oriented research project that explores the opportunities for collaboration between the ROK and Australia in advancing the regional and international rules-based order and its institutional architecture.
-
'Helpem Fren' by Prof. Michael Wesley
On March 21st 2023, Asialink will host a book launch for Professor Michael Wesley’s new book, Helpem Fren. Prof. Wesley a Professor of International Relations whose research focuses on Australian foreign policy, security, and state-building interventions in the Asia-Pacific, and is Deputy Vice Chancellor International at the University of Melbourne.
-
Building the Future Together: 50 Years of Australia China Relations
To mark the occasion of 50 years of Australia-China diplomatic relations, the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies, Chancellery International and Asialink partnered to host a highly successful “Building the Future Together” forum. 50 years on, we looked back at a relationship that, despite its tensions, has helped bring prosperity to both countries.
-
Australia Indonesia Interfaith Dialogue
The Australia Indonesia Interfaith Dialogue was established under the auspices of Indonesian President Joko Widodo and former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison to promote mutual understanding, foster respect, and achieve peace-building goals.
-
Amnesty International Australia Victorian Youth Social Change Lab
On November 25th, Asialink and the Asia Education Foundation worked alongside Amnesty International Australia in to host the Youth Social Change Lab. The forum was designed to empower and equip young people to take action to better society.
-
Cambodia and the Paris Peace Accords Report Launch
Asialink at the University of Melbourne and the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) invite you to attend a special launch of a publication commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Paris Peace Accords featuring some of the key players in the Accords process.
-
Most Influential Asian Awards Australians Gala Dinner
Australia’s leaders in the arts, government, community, business, education and media sectors for a night of celebration recognising Australia’s most influential Asian-Australians under 40 years of age.
-
'Australia’s China Odyssey' by Prof. James Curran
Historian and columnist Prof. James Curran from the University of Sydney launched his new book Australia’s China Odyssey: From euphoria to fear, which charts the history of Australia’s relationship with China - its highs and lows, challenges and opportunities - since the relationship began in 1972.
-
Australia’s Dilemmas: Then and Now
In partnership with the Robert Menzies Institute and Queens College, the Australia’s Dilemma’s policy dialogue nurtured discussions between historians alongside foreign policy experts, to explore what lessons can be learned by contrasting Australia’s strategic challenges of the 1950s with the challenges we are facing today.
-
'Happy Together' by Emeritus Professor of history David Walker
Emeritus Professor of history David Walker from Deakin University launched his inspiring book Happy Together: Bridging the Australia-China Divide, written alongside his friend, Li Yao. The book weaves together the personal experiences of Walker and Yao with the context of a changing China and an Australia still finding its place in Asia.
-
Australia-Republic of Korea Foreign Policy, Defence and Security Dialogue
Marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and the Republic of Korea, this event brings together scholars, security analysts, and government officials from both nations to discuss foreign policy, security, and Australia and Korea’s place in the wider region.
-
Roundtable Discussion - Australia’s Policy Response to the Myanmar Military Coup
In the context of the 2021 Myanmar coup, Asialink hosted this closed-door roundtable discussion to explore Australia’s potential policy options. Joining government officials, academics, and think tankers together, the roundtable placed the coup in its historical context, examined how it related to ethnic minorities in Myanmar, and surveyed how Australia could engage the region in its response.
-
'China's Grand Strategy and Australia's Future in the New Global Order' by Dr Geoff Raby
Former Australian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Dr. Geoff Raby, launched his new book China's Grand Strategy and Australia's Future in the New Global Order, which explores the complexities of China’s rise in the region, and how Australia must reconceptualise its foreign policy to embrace the challenges and opportunities of a China-dominated future.
-
Navigating the Geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific Post COVID-19 Webinar
The onset of COVID-19 occurred amid rapid changes and uncertainty in the global and regional geopolitical outlook. Asialink, alongside the Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society and Queen’s College, hosted a webinar to discuss how COVID-19, and the changes it engendered, would effect Australian and Indonesian policy toward the region and one another.
-
ASEAN-Australia: The Road to Recovery Webinar
Asialink at the University of Melbourne, together with the ASEAN Committee in Canberra and the ASEAN-Australia Council, celebrated ASEAN Day with an interactive live event with eminent government and business leaders from ASEAN and Australia, discussing the way forward for the region as it grapples with COVID-19 and its aftermath.
-
Most Influential Asian Australians Awards
Now in its fourth year, the 40 Under 40 seeks to confront Australia’s “bamboo ceiling” – the underrepresentation of Asian-Australians in leadership positions.
-
Asialink Conversations
The Asialink Conversations are a leading Track II initiative that brings together influential participants to address political, social and economic issues of common concern.
-
ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Dialogue
The ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Dialogue is annual Track II initiative led by Asialink, the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia (ISIS-Malaysia) and the Asia New Zealand Foundation.
-
Australia-ASEAN Emerging Leaders Program
The A2ELP program will bring together social entrepreneurs from South-East Asia and Australia to take part in a series of innovative learning and development opportunities in 2018.
-
Capacity Building
Asialink Diplomacy helps build Asian Literacy in Australians from all sectors, including youths and educators, diplomats, and people throughout the private sector.
-
Asian-Australian Leadership Summit
The 2020 Summit, facilitated via an online platform, hosted a diverse program of interactive sessions, with the aim of establishing new strategies, new partnerships, and identifying champions of change.
-
The Asialink National Forum
The Asialink National Forum generally runs in election years to make an informed contribution to Australia’s long-term Asia planning. Leaders from across sectors review Australia’s progress and challenges in Asia and deliberate on future strategies.
-
Anwar's States of the Nation: six elections, one future?
Elections in six Malaysian states on 12 August are being billed as a referendum on Anwar Ibrahim's leadership less than a year after he led a federal unity government to power.
-
The Future of Pragmatism in Cambodia: Election Analysis
On 23 July, general elections were held in Cambodia to elect members of the National Assembly. This year's elections are ambiguous in nature, with many people asking 'how could these elections create change?'
-
Australia-Indonesia Relations in the Twilight of the Jokowi Years
On Jokowi's watch, great strides have been made in the often-troubled Australia-Indonesia relationship. After a crisis over the execution of two of the Bali Nine drug traffickers in 2015, and some minor hiccups along the way, the two countries have significantly strengthened bilateral institutions. In 2018, they signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement, followed a year later by a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The Jokowi years might be seen as a golden era in Jakarta-Canberra relations.
-
The Changing Media Landscape in Asia
The media landscape is experiencing rapid change due to a revolution in information technology and mass disruption to traditional media business models. The growth of AI, competition from social media, and changing audience preferences promise to have a profound impact on how we obtain news, what news we see, and the integrity of news. In this new environment, separating fact from fake poses an increasing challenge for media professionals and audiences alike.
-
Restoring Democracy in Thailand: Election Analysis
Join Asialink for an insightful panel discussion on Thailand's recent national elections and the prospects of restoring democracy in the country. The elections held on May 14 witnessed a significant victory for reformist, pro-democracy forces, with the progressive Move Forward Party emerging as the strongest party in Bangkok constituencies. However, challenges remain as the constitution grants 250 unelected senators, handpicked by military leaders, a potentially decisive say in selecting the next prime minister.
-
QUAD: Perspectives from the Region
In this era of heightened regional competition, multilateral cooperation is more important than ever. The QUAD, a strategic security dialogue comprised of Australia, The United States, Japan and India, is committed to supporting a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific. What can we expect from the upcoming QUAD Leaders' Summit? Can the QUAD exert influence in the Indo-Pacific? How does the QUAD complement or challenge other regional alignments?
-
Indonesia as ASEAN Chair
Join Asialink, alongside Indonesian Ambassador to Australia HE Dr Siswo Pramon and a panel of experts, as we discuss the year ahead for ASEAN, and how Indonesia will try to pursue the bloc's interests, maintain its relevance, and unify its members.
-
Ensuring Equity in Digital Innovation: Marking International Women's Day
Digital technology has become an integral component of our everyday lives. However, a significant gender divide remains in who designs and develops new technological products and who can access, use and benefit from them. In recognition of International Women’s Day 2023, Asialink presents the webinar ‘Ensuring Equity within Digital Innovation’.
-
Building the Future Together: Conference Report Launch
To launch our report on the 2022 ‘Building the Future Together’ Conference co-hosted by Asialink, the Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies and Chancellery International at the University of Melbourne, Asialink hosted a webinar to discuss and review the recommendations from the conference.
-
Queer Identities Across Asia: Celebrating Pride 2023
Key activists, leaders and academics from across the region will come together to discuss the realization of queer rights across the region, indigenous understandings of queerness, connections between communities across Asia and Australia and what their future might hold, and the significance of events such as World Pride being held in the Southern Hemisphere.
-
Anwar Ibrahim’s long walk to power, and what comes next
Asialink hosted leading experts of Malaysian affairs who unpicked the extraordinary story of Anwar’s path to power, his plans for reform and the challenges they face, the implications for Malaysia’s place in the world, and the perils that lie ahead for his new government.
-
Parliamentary Submissions
These submissions, from Asialink, propose a number of priority areas where action should be taken by government to ensure that Australia’s relationships with Asia are supported and strengthened. They address themes such as economy, development aid and political and security relations, with the intention of making a number of constructive recommendations.
-
Australia's Dilemmas: Then and Now
In July 2022, Queen’s College at the University of Melbourne played host to a gathering of historians and foreign policy experts, including both scholars and practitioners from the professions of politics, diplomacy, intelligence, and business. The purpose of this Dialogue – convened by the Robert Menzies Institute with the support of Asialink - was to take stock of Australia’s current moment in history by evaluating Australia’s present policy challenges against those of approximately seventy years ago, when the Menzies government was in office and contending with the onset of the Cold War.
-
Challenges to the Rules-Based Order: Agendas for Australia-ROK Cooperation
In this era of great power rivalry, geopolitical insecurity, and economic challenges, states in the Indo-Pacific have increasingly appraised their partnerships with other regional states in terms of the degree to which they are strategically aligned. As the geopolitical environment rapidly shifts, the time is ripe for the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Australia to closely coordinate in addressing challenges to the Rules-Based Order (RBO). The two governments share an apprehension that the RBO is under threat, and they are becoming more strategically aligned.
-
Cambodia and the Evolution of Peacebuilding: The Role of the Paris Peace Accords
On the 30th anniversary of the Paris Peace Accords, which marked the end of Cambodia’s long-running conflict, Aslialink and the Australian Institute for International Affairs hosted a conference bringing together diplomats, scholars, and government officials, including those with personal involvement in the peace agreement process, to reflect on the agreement - its implications, its legacy, and its lessons. The resulting conference report was released in 2022.
-
Asialink Commission: Southeast Asia as 'The Third Way' (2012)
The Asialink Commission proposes that Australia move beyond the US-China dynamic and give Southeast Asian countries a central place in the Australian international narrative as natural partners and neighbours. The Commission recommends Australia commit sustained resources to lifting its profile in Southeast Asian countries, and the ASEAN region’s profile in Australia, and take a whole-of-government approach to ASEAN cooperation, with a wide range of departments seeking to establish constructive partnerships in Southeast Asia.
-
PwC Melbourne Institute Asialink Index (2008-2013)
The PwC Melbourne Institute Asialink Index is the only comprehensive, long-term measure of Australia’s engagement with Asia. It assesses the level and rate of change across seven components and 25 economies.
-
The Australia Myanmar Business Taskforce
The Australia Myanmar Business Taskforce was established to foster closer economic co-operation with Myanmar and to assist with the development of its policy and legislative frameworks. It was designed to unearth opportunities that emerge as Myanmar develops, and instigate extensive and positive impact on the development of local capacity within Myanmar.