Outlines programmes of the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre for the year ended 30 June 2008.

As the Asia-Pacific Century unfolds, the balance of economic strength is inexorably moving from America and Europe to Asia. This economic shift will be accompanied by an increasing political and strategic influence of the main regional countries. This can only serve to emphasise the importance of the work of the Centre and of other Asia-related organisations.

In Sydney in June 2008, the AustralAsia Centre hosted the Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP at its Annual Dinner.

Prime Minister Rudd spoke of the “Asia-Pacific Century” and said there was a need for strong and effective regional institutions “that will underpin an open, peaceful, stable, prosperous and sustainable region” and to address “collective challenges that no one country can address alone”. In his speech, the Prime Minister outlined a forward-looking vision for progress towards an Asia-Pacific community over the next two decades. He stressed the need for greater cooperation between all countries in the region and especially the constructive engagement of the United States and China as well as Japan and India. In this context the Prime Minister stressed the need for “dialogue, cooperation and action on political matters and future challenges related to security”.

At the Annual Dinner the Prime Minister also announced the appointment of the Centre’s Founding Director, Richard Woolcott AC, who as his special envoy, will elaborate Australia’s proposal to Asia-Pacific leaders. There is a synergy between the ongoing work of the Centre and the role of the special envoy.

The Prime Minister praised both the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre and the Asia Society for their efforts in enhancing understanding of the Asia-Pacific region and singled out the Asia Society’s Williamsburg Conference for particular mention. He also praised the AustralAsia Centre’s presence in Australia, noting how important it is for Australia to have the international forum that the Centre provides.

After ten years with the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre, the Executive Director, Prue Holstein left the Centre at the close of the financial year to take on new challenges. During her tenure, Prue made a major contribution to the consolidation of the networks and partnerships that deliver the quality business and foreign policy programming the Centre has become known for in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

From the Chairman - Annual Report 2008.

Read More > Download pdf (requires acrobat reader) 2.9mb