Australia's Public Diplomacy: From Uncle Vanya to the Security Council

Hosted by: AIIA Qld

The event will start on: Tuesday, 11 October 2011 6:00 PM

And will end on: Tuesday, 11 October 2011 7:30 PM

At Harris Terrace, Brisbane

46 George Street , Brisbane Queensland

    qld.branch@aiia.asn.au

Posted by: qld   

Public diplomacy has been touted in recent years as a diplomat's tool of choice - engaging with wide public audiences to enhance national reputation and progress foreign policy outcomes. By its very nature, public diplomacy challenges the traditional structure, process and networks so firmly established within the diplomatic profession; yet at the same time, pivots on the same core aims of traditional diplomacy: building influence through relationship and image cultivation. Public diplomacy is not a new concept to the Australian experience but remains somewhat on the margins of foreign policy making. The 2007 Senate Inquiry into the nature and conduct of Australia's public diplomacy program pointed out that 'when it comes to public diplomacy in Australia, perhaps the whole is not as great as the sum of the parts'. This presentation takes a look at how Australia's public diplomacy profile adds up today, drawing on examples from the Sydney Theatre Company's international presentation of Chekov's 'Uncle Vanya', to its more targeted place in Australia's current campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council.

Caitlin Byrne is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at Bond University, and a Research Fellow with the University of Southern California’s Centre for Public Diplomacy. Caitlin has published on Australia’s public diplomacy program including through the Clingendael Discussion Papers inDiplomacy and Exchange Journal of Public Diplomacy. Prior to joining Bond University, Caitlin had established a career in legal and social policy development and delivery that has included project management and consulting roles within Commonwealth and State government agencies, private sector and community organisations. A former officer of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Caitlin has served as State Manager for Queensland Passports Services, and Second Secretary (political) and Consul to the Australian Embassy in Mexico City.