Reimagining Australia's international relations.

AP4D dialogue

Join us on Monday 30 September, 1:00-2:00pm (AEST) for an interactive online dialogue on Australia's preparedness for regional stabilisation missions.

Regional missions to Bougainville, Timor-Leste and Solomon Islands in recent decades are widely considered successful examples of stabilisation and peacekeeping operations. But how ready would Australia be if it needed to undertake something similar today? And what would that look like?

Facilitated discussion will focus on the types of contingencies that could require a response, Australia’s role and current capacity to do so, and ways to enhance preparedness. The recent announcement of a Pacific Islands Forum mission to New Caledonia makes this particularly topical.

Speakers include:

• James Batley PSM, Distinguished Policy Fellow at the ANU Department of Pacific Affairs and leader of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (2004-2006)
• Dr Shannon Zimmerman, Lecturer in Strategic Studies at Deakin University at the Australian War College and Research Fellow at the Asia-Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
• Dr Adam Burke, Senior Director, Conflict and Fragility at The Asia Foundation

Click here to register via Zoom

Our people

AP4D is currently recruiting for a part-time Events and Communications Manager to lead on key events and help manage AP4D's digital and social media presence. Click here for more details and information on how to apply. Applications close 22 September.

The AP4D Advisory Group is co-chaired by Marc Purcell and Michael Wesley.

Recent commentary by Advisory Group members includes:

• Susannah Patton on the dismissal of Thailand's Prime Minister, Southeast Asian views of a second Trump administration, the new Australia-Indonesia defence agreement, international education and soft power, the dynamics of Southeast Asian alignment and power distribution and polarity in Asia.

• Jennifer Parker on defining interoperability with Southeast Asia, questions over AUKUS, the Australia-China High Level Dialogue, Ukraine's asymmetric maritime campaign, Australia's presence in the western Indian Ocean, the Australia-Indonesia Defence Cooperation Agreement and the value of AUKUS.

• Bridi Rice on the one year anniversary of Australia's development policy, Vietnamese views on Australian development cooperation and in conversation with Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy.

• Marc Purcell on Australia's aid program and the national interest case for development.

• William Stoltz on Australia's resilience and preparedness and the state of the world in 2024.

• Michael Wesley on the consequences of international student caps and the potential for India-Australia creative and cultural collaboration.

• Richard Moore on Australia's development focus.

• Huong Le Thu on Vietnam's new leader.

• Fitriani on social media accountability.

• Huong Le Thu and Hayley Channer on Australia-US-Japan cooperation vis à vis Taiwan.

• Bridi Rice and Richard Moore on Australian development cooperation in Timor-Leste.

• Joanne Wallis and Huong Le Thu on Australia's security interests in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Our program

AP4D is delighted to be running an in-person concurrent session on Thursday 24 October, 1:30-3:00pm at the Australian Council for International Development's 2024 National Conference in Sydney.

The workshop will focus on declining effectiveness of enforcement of international humanitarian law and protection of civilians evident in the world at the moment. Following opening remarks from Head of Mission in Australia of the International Committee of the Red Cross David Tuck and CEO of RedR Australia Dr Helen Durham AO, participants will be challenged to generate ideas for Australian policymakers.

This theme of this year's conference, Solidarity and Resilience: The Power of the Collective, focuses on practical solutions to global challenges. If you have an interest in international policy and engagement, don’t miss your chance to be part of this important conversation.

Click here for more information and details on how to register

In the news

AP4D has been featured in: 

• ABC Radio Sydney
• ABC Radio PM
• SBS World News
• The Conversation
• South China Morning Post
• Radio Taiwan International
• Pursuit
• The Strategist
• The Interpreter (21st August & 16th September)
• Australian Outlook (21st & 29th August)
• The Diplomat (29 August & 9 September)

AP4D Executive Director Melissa Conley Tyler has a chapter in Australia in World Affairs 2016-2020, the authoritative record of Australian foreign policy published by Cambridge University Press as part of an Australian Institute of International Affairs series stretching back to 1950.

AP4D staff have spoken at:

• Global Town Hall
• New Colombo Plan Alumni Forum
• Australian War College