Ambivalence about Asia

Hosted by: AIIA, NSW in Sydney

The event will start on: Tuesday, 01 March 2011 6:00 PM

And will end on: Tuesday, 01 March 2011 7:30 PM

At The Glover Cottages, Sydney

124 Kent Street , Sydney NSW

0280114728     nsw.branch@aiia.asn.au

Posted by: nsw   

It has become de rigueur in political and intellectual circles to accept that Australia is drawing closer to Asia. Both the present and the previous government espouse the concept of ‘Australia in Asia’, and the foreign minister, Kevin Rudd, was at the forefront of efforts to establish a small-c Asia Pacific Community.

Certainly Asia is no longer merely a part of the world Australians fly over on the way to Europe. More Australians, whether business people, diplomats, tourists or journalists, spend more time in Asian capitals than ever before.

But are we committed to to Asia? The latest Melbourne Institute Asialink index contains some worrying indicators. Direct investment from Australia into Asia is falling. Outward investment from Australia to Asian countries dropped by over 11 per cent last year, while that from most other OECD countries rose. Our businesses seem shy of the opportunities.

The story in education is even worse. The number of overseas students planning to come here is falling - they seem less impressed by our universities than used to be the case. Another factor is government tightening of migration prospects. Australians don’t seem keen to study in China and other Asian countries; last year’s numbers declined from a low base.

A particular worry is a decline in Australia’s two-way engagement with our closest neighbour, Indonesia, despite improving political and security conditions there.

If you would like to read this report before the meeting please download it here.

The AIIA is delighted to welcome to Sydney the CEO of Asialink, Jenny McGregor, who will analyse the report’s findings, and discuss ways in which Australians can enhance their engagements with the world’s fastest growing regions.

Jenny McGregor is the founding CEO of Asialink at The University of Melbourne, the founding Executive Director of the Asia Education Foundation and a member of the Board of the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre.  Under Ms McGregor's leadership, Asialink has become Australia's largest non-government centre for the promotion of Australia-Asia relations - with an annual budget of over A$10 million and activities spanning education, the arts, leadership, health and corporate and public programs.