Podcasts about la trobe asia

Unrest in South Korea is developing quickly. In December President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a short lived martial law. He has since been impeached, removed from office and arrested after weeks of evading arrest, potentially to face charges of insurrection. The political turmoil has shaken South Korea, where Yoon Suk-yeol has popular support. What were the events that led to this political juncture? What could it mean for South Korea and a potential election? Could the unrest have implications for the wider Asian region? Panel: Associate Professor Danielle Chubb (International Relations, Deakin University) Associate Professor David Hundt (International Relations, Deakin University) Assisstant Professor Jiye Kim (Assistant Professor (International Security, University of Queensland Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University)(host) Recorded on 29th January 2025.

There are dozens of minority languages spoken in Tibet, but that number is currently collapsing under assimilatory state policies. An increasing number of families in these communities are now passing on Tibetan or Chinese, in the hope of accessing better opportunities in education and employment. What are the systems at work that restrict and devalue minority languages in Tibet? How can global advocacy networks acknowledge the issue, and what radical changes are needed to address this crisis? The launch of The Politics of Language Oppression in Tibet by Gerald Roche, published by Cornell University Press. Panel: Associate Professor Gerald Roche (Department of Politics, Media, and Philosophy, La Trobe University) Associate Professor Sonika Gupta (Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras) Dr Anna Belew (Executive Director, Endangered Languages Project, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa) Associate Professor Ruth Gamble (Deputy Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University)(chair) Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University)(introduction) Recorded on 15th November, 2024

What are the key takeaways from the 2024 Quad Leaders' Summit? The Quad has helped its members to align and coordinate key policies, but what more needs to be done to improve its ability to deliver on major initiatives? Would the Quad benefit from pursuing a foundational treaty, agreement, or common branding, or is it better served by retaining its current, flexible approach? In this episode, Gaurav Saini and Kate Clayton join David Andrews to discuss the 2024 Quad Leaders' Summit, and what the future may look like with incoming leadership changes. Dr Gaurav Saini is the co-founder of the Council for Strategic and Defence Research, a New Delhi think tank focused on foreign policy and security issues. He is part of the US State Department's Emerging Quad Think Tank Leaders program. Kate Clayton is a Senior Coordinator for Research and Programs at La Trobe Asia and the Blue Security Maritime Exchange. David Andrews is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC). Show notes: NSC academic programs – find out more Joint statement from the leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States Gaurav Saini's article in the Lowy Institute Interpreter – with NSC's Dirk van der Kley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

By Jared Samuelson Dr. Bec Strating and Dr. Joanne Wallis join the program to discuss Australian security and their new book, Girt By Sea: Re-Imagining Australia's Security. Bec is the director of La Trobe Asia and a professor in politics and international relations at La Trobe University. Joanne is a professor of international security at … Continue reading Sea Control 531 – Girt by Sea with Dr. Bec Strating and Dr. Joanne Wallis →

More than a billion people across Asia have voted so far in 2024, in elections in India, Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan and more, but outside of the main results the electoral processes and implications for democracy rarely attracted international headlines. While voting is a key expression of democratic participation, during elections democratic ideals can be challenged. Many of these elections will have repercussions not just for citizens within these countries and the Asian region, but also for the quality of democracy and human rights across the globe. What can we learn from these elections in Asia? What can we expect from these countries and the leadership styles they represent? Is democracy healthy in Asia? Speakers: Kevin Magee AO (Former Australian Representative to Taiwan) Dr Priya Chacko (Associate Professor of International Politics, University of Adelaide) Professor Vedi Hadiz (Director and Professor of Asian Studies at the Asia Institute, University of Melbourne) Dr Ruth Gamble (Senior Lecturer in History and Deputy Director of La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) - Chair Recorded 19th June, 2024.

Oceans are an important resource for every country and are essential for travel and trade, but there are several critical issues facing maritime order in Asia. A lack of a shared vision, differing interpretations of maritime order, and cooperation over security issues all create friction for use of shared waterways across Asia, which makes fair and equitable access vital. How can Asian states and allies strengthen dialogue, interactions, and coordination to maximise the impact of their efforts in upholding regional and maritime order? Speakers: - Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) - Professor Alessio Patalano (Department of War Studies, Kings College London) - Professor Kyoko Hatakeyama (Graduate School of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefecture) - Professor Nick Bisley (Chair) (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) - With an introduction from La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Theo Farrell. The launch of Issue 10 of the La Trobe Asia Brief. Event recorded on 11th April, 2024. This public panel will present research from a collaborative project between La Trobe Asia, Kyushu University and King's College London. It has received grant funding from the Australia-Japan Foundation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office.

La Trobe Asia is proud to partner with the Australian Government to deliver the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit: Maritime Cooperation Forum. The Forum will address the Blue Economy and maritime cooperation, as well as perspectives on regional maritime challenges and opportunities. This special keynote address is delivered by Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia, and the Honourable Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines. It was introduced by convenor Professor Bec Strating, Director of La Trobe Asia. Held on 4th March, 2024.

Taiwan has held a presidential election, and the Democratic Progressive Party has won a third term, with current vice-president Lai Chinge-Te succeeding Tsai Ing-Wen later this year. And while his victory is seen as one of continuing democratic values on the island, Lai will need to rely on his political opponents to govern, and that's without mentioning the China-sized problem across the Taiwan strait. Guest: Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) Recorded on 29th January, 2024.

In Australia, there is much public discussion about US-China relations, prospects of conflict involving Taiwan and implications for Australia's security. It is only rarely, however, that these conversations involve Taiwanese voices. La Trobe University is honoured to host an exclusive panel discussion in which Foreign Minister of Taiwan Joseph Wu and Associate Professor Rebecca Strating of La Trobe Asia discuss Taiwan's perspectives on key regional security issues and concerns to a global audience.

China's activities in the Pacific have been the subject of increased media attention in Australia. Its vast resources exercised through trade and investment has bought both good will and influence, and a recent agreement with the Solomon Islands on policing cooperation intensified concern among Australian security watchers about its strategic ambitions in the Pacific region. But while Australia is showing concern, is China benefitting the Pacific Islands, and exposing the gaps in Australia's support? The Melbourne launch of Divided Isles: Solomon Islands and the China Switch by Edward Cavanough. Published by La Trobe University Press. Panel: Edward Cavanough (CEO, The McKell Institute) Dr Dan Hu (Research Fellow, Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies, University of Melbourne) Assoc Prof Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia)

Emerging leaders from Australia, Japan, India and the United States discuss key issues facing the 'Quad', and puts forward a strong case for the Quad working together on non-traditional security issues across the Indo-Pacific region. The next generation of Quad leaders view enhancing resilience against grey zone challenges, geoeconomics, outer spaces, critical technologies and human security as keys to unlocking the Quad's potential. This challenges the Quad to deliver on public goods commitments to strengthen the free and open Indo-Pacific. This is the launch of the 8th issue of the La Trobe Asia Brief produced from the La Trobe Asia Emerging Leaders Program, funded and supported by the United States Embassy in Canberra. Panel: Patrick Saunders (Humanitarian Services, AMES Australia) Abhishek Sharma (Pacific Forum and University of Delhi) Eleanor Shiori Hughes (Non-resident Fellow, EconVue) Afeeya Akhand (Research Intern, Australian Strategic Policy Institute) Kate Clayton (Research Officer, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) (Chair) Recorded 3 May 2023.

What does it look like for Australia and Southeast Asia to develop a joint agenda for maritime security? Join La Trobe Asia, consortium lead for the Blue Security program, to launch the first paper in a series on Maritime Security in Southeast Asia. Blue Security is a collaboration between La Trobe Asia, Griffith Asia Institute (GAI), University of New South Wales Canberra (ADFA), University of Western Australia's Defence and Security Institute (DSI) and the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy and Defence Dialogue (AP4D). Panel: - Melissa Conley Tyler (Executive Director, Asia-Pacific Development, Defence & Diplomacy Dialogue) - Aristyo Rizka Darmawan (Lecturer, Universitas Indonesia) - Associate Professor Charmaine Misalucha-Willoughby (De La Salle University) - Associate Professor Bec Strating (Director - La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) Recorded on April 26, 2023.

Indonesia has passed a new criminal code, amongst which are a raft of controversial new morality laws and speech restrictions, including banning sex outside of marriage, insulting the president, and expressing any view that runs counter to state ideology. There are important implications for democratic freedoms in Indonesia, and human rights concerns on the implications of for women, religious minorities, and gender diverse groups. What does the new criminal code imply for human rights in Indonesia? How has the Indonesian public responded to the new criminal code? What could it mean in the lead-up to the 2024 general election? A La Trobe Asia event in collaboration with Human Rights Watch. Panel: Andreas Harsono (Human Rights Watch, Indonesia) Associate Professor Dirk Tomsa (Politics, La Trobe University) Dr Dina Afrianty (La Trobe Law School, La Trobe University) Associate Professor Bec Strating (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University)(chair) Recorded on 7 February, 2023.

The United Nations has declared 2022 the start of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, aiming to raise awareness of the ongoing global loss of Indigenous languages. Ongoing attacks on human rights defenders and restrictions on civil society are critically challenging the effectiveness of these efforts. Read Indigenous Language Rights and the Politics of Fear in Asia - Issue 7 of The La Trobe Asia Brief. Dr Gerald Roche (Senior Research Fellow in Politics at La Trobe University, La Trobe Asia fellow). Recorded 29 September 2022.

In recent years, as the People's Republic of China (PRC) has grown in economic size, military strength and international influence, it has become more active in Antarctica. This has led to worries that Beijing's ambitions extend further than just scientific research and fishing. Concerns have been raised about the PRC wanting to exploit Antarctica's mineral and fossil energy resources and militarise the continent. There has been speculation that the PRC is even planning to make its own territorial claims. A La Trobe Asia event in collaboration with Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) and China Matters to launch a new policy research report "China's Antarctic ambitions - and their implications for Australia" by Yun Jiang. Panel: - Yun Jiang (AIIA China Matters Fellow) - Assoc. Professor Nengye Liu (School of Law, Singapore Management University) - Richard Maude (Senior Fellow, Asia Society Australia) - Professor Nick Bisley (Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University)(Chair) Recorded on 3 August, 2022.

The Indo-Pacific faces multiple security challenges, ranging from the risk of major war arising from territorial and maritime disputes to significant human and environmental threats to ecosystems. Exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, many states remain at odds over governance issues, how to confront pressing regional disputes and how to deal with countries outside the Asian region seeking to have greater influence. While the role of existing regional institutions such as ASEAN remains central to regional security and prosperity, improved regional architecture will be needed to address maritime security challenges with a clear understanding of priorities across regional states. What are the central maritime security challenges facing states in the region? How do they respond individually and collectively to these challenges? And what legal and institutional mechanisms exist to manage ongoing disputes? Launch of the ‘Enhancing Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific' report, a collaboration between Griffith Asia Institute, Kings College London and La Trobe Asia. Speakers: Dr Huong Le Thu, Principal Fellow, Perth USAsia Centre Assistant Professor Tara Davenport, Deputy Director, Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law Abhijit Singh, Senior Fellow, New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation Professor Ian Hall, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University (Chair) Recorded on 25th July, 2022.

The Catch. A podcast miniseries about modern slavery and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry in the Asia Pacific Region. Episode 6: Victim's Voices The final episode of The Catch Host: Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Guest: Dr Sallie Yea (Tracey Banivanua Mar Fellow, La Trobe University) Produced by La Trobe Asia.

The Catch. A podcast miniseries about modern slavery and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry in the Asia Pacific Region. Episode 5: Support. Episode 6 available now on all podcast platforms. Host: Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Guest: Patricia Kailola (Human Dignity Group in Fiji) Produced by La Trobe Asia.

The Catch. A podcast miniseries about modern slavery and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry in the Asia Pacific Region. Episode 4: Reintegration Episode 5 available now on all podcast platforms. Host: Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Guest: Associate Professor Christina Stringer (Centre for Research on Modern Slavery, University of Auckland) Produced by La Trobe Asia.

In this episode of the National Security Podcast, Kate Clayton and Dom Dwyer join Will Stoltz to discuss how young Australians are seeking to influence policymakers and what can be expected of the next generation of leaders.Young Australians in International Affairs (YAIA) and the Youth National Security Strategy (YNSS) are two organisations seeking to equip the next generation of security and foreign affairs decision-makers to lead in an uncertain world. Through distinctly different approaches they are also supporting amplifying the perspectives and concerns of young Australians in the policy discourses. Kate Clayton from Young Australians in International Affairs and Dom Dwyer from the Youth National Security Strategy join Will Stoltz to discuss how young Australians are seeking to influence policymakers and what can be expected of the next generation of leaders. Kate Clayton is a Research Officer at La Trobe Asia and Chief Operations Officer at Young Australians in International Affairs. Her research looks at climate change, security, and geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific region. Dom Dwyer is Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Youth National Security Strategy. He is currently completing honours research at The Australian National University. Dr William A Stoltz is the Policy Director at the ANU National Security College. Show notes | The following were mentioned during this episode: State of the Service Report, Australian Public Service Commission, (2021)Young Australians in International Affairs publications and eventsYouth National Security Strategy's work and latest strategyWe'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on future episodes. The National Security Podcast is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Catch. A podcast miniseries about modern slavery and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry in the Asia Pacific Region. Episode 3: Restitution Episode 4 available now on all podcast platforms. Host: Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Guest: Dr Sallie Yea (Tracey Banivanua Mar Fellow, La Trobe University) Produced by La Trobe Asia.

The Catch. A podcast miniseries about modern slavery and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry in the Asia Pacific Region. Episode 2: In Too Deep Episode 3 available now on all podcast platforms. Host: Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Guest: Dr Sallie Yea (Tracey Banivanua Mar Fellow, La Trobe University) Produced by La Trobe Asia.

The Catch. A podcast miniseries about modern slavery and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry in the Asia Pacific Region. Episode 1: Recruitment Episode 2 available now on all podcast platforms. Host: Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Guest: Dr Sallie Yea (Tracey Banivanua Mar Fellow, La Trobe University) Produced by La Trobe Asia.

The Catch. A podcast miniseries about modern slavery and forced labour in the offshore fishing industry in the Asia Pacific Region. Available now on all podcast platforms. Hosted by Bec Strating, produced by La Trobe Asia.

For all states across the Asia-Pacific women's representation in all sectors remains dismally low. The COVID-19 pandemic and responses to it have disproportionately affected women and girls across the Asia-Pacific, from alarming increases in domestic violence during extended lockdowns to the growing gender gap in employment opportunities. Addressing these challenges requires policy-makers to implement gender-sensitive reforms, taking the voice and visibility of women and girls seriously in decision-making processes across both private and public sector spheres. As we manage the difficult task of recovery and the ongoing long term impacts of COVID-19 there has never been a better time to lift ambition on women's representation and participation in leadership roles. But how do we make this ambition a reality? This event is presented by La Trobe Asia and the Griffith Asia Institute. Introduction provided by Professor Caitlin Byrne, Director - Griffith Asia Institute Panel: - Professor Vivian Lin, Executive Associate Dean, Professor of Practice (Public Health), LKS Faculty of Medicine, Hong Kong University and Adjunct Professor, La Trobe Asia - Dr Dhara Shah, Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director Engagement in the Department of Business Strategy and Innovation, Griffith Business School - Ryce Chanchai, ASEAN Governance, Peace and Security Lead, UN Women Indonesia - Associate Professor Bec Strating, Director - La Trobe Asia (Chair) Recorded on 15 March 2022.

The Biden administration has released a new Indo-Pacific strategy, and much is at stake, with the acknowledgement that competition from China and climate change are of great concern to the United States and its allies. Guest: Assoc Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) Recorded on 15 February, 2022.

The Biden administration has released a new Indo-Pacific strategy, and much is at stake, with the acknowledgement that competition from China and climate change are of great concern to the United States and its allies. Guest: Assoc Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) Recorded on 15 February, 2022.

As we enter year three of the covid-19 and settle into our schedule of working from home, home-schooling and hopefully not catching a deadly plague, how are health systems in Asia coping and adapting with the pandemic? Guest: Professor Vivian Lin (Executive Associate Dean of LKS Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong and Adjunct Professor of La Trobe Asia). Recorded on 16 January, 2022.

Australia, the UK and the US have announced a historic security agreement, dubbed ‘AUKUS', in response to regional security concerns about China's rising power and influence in the Indo-Pacific. Under the deal, Australia will build nuclear-powered submarines for the first time, using technology provided by the United States. It also signals to a greater presence of the three powers in the region with a focus on military and technological capabilities, including in long-range weapons, cyber and undersea technologies. How do the three states see AUKUS as contributing to regional security? How have regional states responded to this agreement? And what are the broader implications of Australia's pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines? Panel: Dr Anna Powles (Senior Lecturer in Security Studies at Massey University, New Zealand) Associate Professor Maria Rost Rublee (Politics and International Relations, Monash University) Professor Peter Dean (Director, Defence and Security Institute, University of Western Australia) Natalie Sambhi (Executive Director, Verve Research) Dr Rebecca Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University)(Chair) Recorded on 27 October, 2021.

The relationship between Australia and Southeast Asian countries has grown substantially in the last decade, from a marriage of convenience to the development of regional agendas, strategic partnerships and shared economic interests. A global pandemic has shifted priorities, and vaccine diplomacy throughout the region has both shifted and strengthened existing allegiances. Has Australia's actions during the pandemic helped or hindered relationships with Southeast Asian nations? What will the post-COVID-19 regional order of Southeast Asia look like? The launch of the 5th issue of the La Trobe Asia Policy Brief. Speakers: Professor Caitlyn Byrne (Director, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University) Chen Chen Lee (Advisor (Diplomacy) to Asialink) Dr Huong Le Thu (Senior Analyst, The Australian Strategic Policy Institute) Dr Jeffrey Wilson (Policy Fellow, Perth USAsia Centre) Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director at La Trobe Asia)(Chair) Recorded on 7th July, 2021. This publication is a product of a fruitful online academic dialogue held in February 2021 in collaboration between La Trobe Asia, Asia Centre, Centre for Strategic and International Studies Indonesia, Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia, Griffith Asia Institute, Asialink, Perth US-Asia Centre and Generate Worldwide. It was proudly supported by the Australia-ASEAN council.

The rise of China, Trump’s America First policies, division within Europe and successful defiance by authoritarian states are affecting the shape of the emerging new order. Human rights, rule of law, free media and longstanding global institutions all seem set to be weakened. Autocracies are exercising greater control over world affairs. Australia will need to engage heightened levels of diplomacy to forge relations with countries of opposing principles. It will need to be agile in pursuing a realistic foreign policy agenda if it is to be well positioned for this future. A La Trobe Asia 'China in Focus' seminar, held in front of a zoom audience on 22 April, 2021. Speakers: Geoff Raby (former Australian ambassador to China (2007–11); ambassador to APEC (2003–5); and ambassador to the World Trade Organization (1998–2001). Member of the La Trobe Asia advisory board.

Over the Wall II Indue Cashless Welfare Card. Kathryn Wilkes from the No Cashless Welfare Card CampaignLessons from Occupy II Larissa Payne, Sydney Occupation activist. From MALS event looking at what can be learnt from the Occupy movement as we move into X Rebellion movement activism for the environment.McCormick Protected Action II Five year wage stagnation shuts down Aeroplane jelly production.McCormick Workers in Clayton protected industrial action of an indefinite stoppage at McCormick’s most important Australian facility started Friday. Andrew Giles, UWU organiser talks to us.Myanmar II Wai Wai Nu (Peace and Woman Rights Activist - founder of the Women’s peace network in Myanmar) talks about what is happening in Myanmar at a La Trobe Asia event.

The political landscape of Indonesia has had a shakeup with the resurrection of the long-defunct Masyumi Party. The once-powerful party invokes a time when Islamists were more united in Indonesia, and signals a desire for greater coordination. Guest: Associate Professor Dirk Tomsa (Politics, La Trobe University) Recorded 9 February 2021.

Cultural and environmental conservation can be motivated by a number of factors, such as desire for resources, tourism, or perhaps just an appreciation for the environment. Perhaps there is no greater motivation for conservation in Asia than that of sacred geographies. Guest: Dr Ruth Gamble (Environmental historian and lecturer, Department of Archaeology and History, La Trobe University) Recorded 30 November 2020.

Sexual misconduct by military peacekeepers and abuses perpetrated by civilian peacekeepers and non-UN civilian interveners is a serious problem to local peoples and humanitarian efforts. It affects the capacity of the international community to achieve its goals related to stability and peacebuilding, and its legitimacy in the eyes of local and global populations. In her new book 'Violating Peace: Sex, Aid and Peacekeeping', Dr Jasmine-Kim Westendorf draws on extensive field research in Bosnia, Timor-Leste, and with the UN and humanitarian communities, to investigate the impact of these behaviours. This panel will discuss the implications of the findings in relation to Asia. Recorded live as a webinar on 24th November 2020.

The election of Joe Biden to serve as the 46th President of the United States comes at a critical moment of the country’s relationship with Asia. A global pandemic, frayed diplomatic relations and struggling economies make the next four years internationally significant, and Biden is assumed to reset many relationships and to bring an old-school sensibility back to diplomacy His actions will have a major impact on regional prosperity and security. In this special episode of the Asia Rising podcast Bonnie Glaser, Senior Adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, will speak about the outcome of the United States election and what Biden Presidency will mean for Asia. Guest: Bonnie Glaser (Senior Adviser for Asia, Center for Strategic and International Studies) Recorded 17 November 2020.

In 2020, Australia and China relations appeared to hit new lows. Diplomatic tensions flared over a range of issues, including Australia’s unilateral calls for an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus, Beijing’s trade strikes on key industries, and raids on journalists. In Australia, concerns about foreign interference and human rights violations have encouraged an increasingly hardline anti-China stance in some quarters, including among the so-called ‘Wolverines’. In Chinese media, Australia is presented as a lackey of the United States and a satellite of American interests in the Indo-Pacific. Despite these challenges, China remains Australia’s biggest trade partner. Are Australia-China relations where they need to be? To what extent does Australia remain reliant upon trade with China? And is the Morrison government’s adoption of a more assertive, ‘sovereign first’ approach to Sino-Australian relations helpful, or likely to do more harm than good? In this La Trobe Asia webinar a panel of experts will discuss these questions. Speakers: Dr Gerald Roche (Senior Research Fellow, Politics, La Trobe University) Assistant Professor Dan Hu (Deputy Director, Australian Studies Centre, Beijing Foreign Studies University) Richard McGregor (Senior Fellow, Lowy Institute) Mike Smith (China Correspondent, Australian Financial Review) Chair: Dr Bec Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded live via zoom on 11 November, 2020.

India has a long and unique history with a rich cultural heritage, but in the modern race for progress it can be difficult to conserve the past. The country boasts 38 recognised UNESCO world heritage sites with many more under consideration, ranging from natural wonders like the Himalayan National Park, to the cultural treasures such as the Agra Fort, the Taj Mahal, and the Historic City of Ahmedabad. These sites are treated with respect and pride by India, but many intersect with conflicting demands of tourism, religion, and everyday living. How can India preserve its heritage while pursuing a ‘smart-city’ agenda? Who holds the responsibility for maintaining and preserving these sites? How does heritage status affect the local individuals and communities? Panel: Dr Kiran Shide (Planning, La Trobe University) Professor Utpal Sharma (Dean and Director at the Institute of Architecture and Planning at NIRMA University, India) Dr Anita Smith (Archeology and History, La Trobe University) Chair: Dr Bec Strating (La Trobe Asia) A La Trobe Asia event as part of the Australia India Institute’s 'India Week'. Recorded live via zoom on 29 October, 2020.

Over the past five years India and Australia’s bilateral relations appear to be deepening. Both states agree that the future security challenges are likely to occur in the world’s oceans, and other common domains such as space. As a response to rising regional contestation, India and Australia have both expanded defence cooperation activities, including through the development of multiparty initiatives such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (the ‘Quad’) and the new India, France and Australia trilateral grouping. Yet, differences in strategic outlook and trade relations remain that may hinder closer cooperation. Are Australia and India’s strategic interests closely aligned? How does India’s leadership define its core national security interests, and seek to manage relationships with rising China and the US? And what practical steps can India and Australia take to further strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation? A live recording of the Asia Rising podcast as part of the Australia India Institute’s 'India Week' via zoom. Guest: Dr Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan (Distinguished Fellow and Head of the Nuclear and Space Policy Initiative, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi) Recorded 27 October 2020.

The 2020 United States presidential election is weeks away, and the stakes have never been higher. A global pandemic, frayed diplomatic relations and struggling economies make the outcome of the race between incumbent Republican President Donald Trump and stalwart democratic contender Joe Biden internationally significant. Over recent years, China has increasingly asserted its stake in the South China Sea, North Korea has stepped into the international spotlight, and India has flexed its military might at borders in every direction. Despite the Trump administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy, doubt has been cast on the long-term prospects of US leadership and presence in the region. The outcome of the election will likely shape the global balance of power and US-Asian relations for many years to come. What might Asia expect from four more years of a Trump presidency? What does a Biden presidency promise for Asia, and is it likely to improve regional co-operation? Or will the nations of Asia find strength in pursuing greater strategic autonomy? A La Trobe Asia/Perth USAsia Centre event Panel: Frank Lavin (former White House Political Director; former U.S. Ambassador to Singapore) Professor Gordon Flake (Chief Executive Officer, Perth USAsia Centre) Dr Kyungjin Song (Director, FN Global Issues Center) Chair: Dr Rebecca Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia). Recorded live via zoom on 7 October, 2020.

Despite their diverse histories and cultures, common tensions characterize debates about identity and nationhood across the Asia-Pacific. Homogenous visions of identity and nationhood sit uneasily alongside notions of citizenship that embrace cultural and ethnic diversity. In many societies, rising inequality feeds fear and resentment of immigrants, and legacies or memories of empire and colonialism have also fuelled resentment of foreign interference or ‘hegemony’. In stories of nationhood, what is forgotten or avoided is just as important as what is remembered. What role, then, does education play in shaping ideas of identity and nationhood across the contemporary Asia-Pacific? To what extent are citizens taught to see political identity as something diverse and complex, and what are the implications of different approaches to citizenship education? And, should we see education as a potential tool for promoting national reconciliation, or as a dangerous weapon for inciting hatred and division? Panel: Professor Tzu-Bin Lin (Associate Vice-President for Academic Affairs, National Taiwan Normal University) Professor Edward Vickers (Professor of Comparative Education, Kyushu University) Professor Kaori Okano (Professor of Japanese Studies/Asian Studies, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Chair: Dr Bec Strating (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) A joint La Trobe University/Kyushu University event. Recorded live via zoom on 9 September, 2020.

The covid-19 pandemic sweeping across Asia and the world has highlighted the strengths and limitations in the delivery of public health services within different states. While some states like Vietnam and South Korea are praised for their successful responses to the global crisis, the public health systems in other countries have seemingly struggled to manage surges in cases. A well-developed and effective public health system is one that meets the needs of communities through the achievement of primary health care objectives. This requires recognising and accounting for the complex relationships between the delivery of health services and other national priorities in politics, economics, the environment, culture and education. What lessons can Asian states draw from Covid-19 and other pandemics in strengthening their public health systems? Which states have been successful in dealing with pandemics and why? And how are pandemics linked with other global challenges? In this La Trobe Asia webinar a panel of experts will discuss these questions. Panel: Professor Vivian Lin (Public Health Practice, University of Hong Kong) Professor George Liu (School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University) Dr Susan Mercado (Special Envoy of the President for Global Health Initiatives, Philippines) Chair: Dr Bec Strating (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) Recorded live via zoom on 2 September, 2020.

Donald J. Trump’s win in the 2016 US elections was met with mixed emotions across Asia. Many in the region greeted the election with cautious optimism. They assumed that Washington would take a more pragmatic line, and that a man who prided himself on his business acumen would present new opportunities in trade and resource relations. But the Trump presidency has proven to be unpredictable. His relationship with Asian countries has been wide-ranging, from flattering to negligent, and competition among the major powers, particularly between China and the United States, has intensified and is now the dominant feature of the region’s international relations. So how has the relationship between the United States and Asia fared under the leadership of Donald Trump? Will the situation improve in the future, and what will it mean for the power balance in the region if they don’t? The launch of the La Trobe Asia Brief Issue 4 - Trump in Asia: A More Dangerous Place. Panel: - Associate Professor Nicole Curato (Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance, University of Canberra) - Professor Zha Daojiong (School of International Studies, Peking University) - Dr Huong Le Thu (Australian Strategic Policy Institute) - Dr Rebecca Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia)(Chair)

Over the past decade the hotly disputed South China Sea has become increasingly used as example of the rising strategic competition between the People’s Republic of China and the United States. Overlapping territory claims and maritime jurisdiction, strategic control over maritime domain, and differences in legal interpretations of freedom of navigation combine in a broader contest that affects multiple countries in Southeast Asia as they defend their maritime entitlements. Even regional non-claimant states such as Australia, Japan, India and South Korea claim stakes in the South China Sea, reflecting concerns about the shifting regional order and China’s intentions in the maritime domain. How do these different countries approach the South China Sea disputes? How are concepts around sovereignty, history and the law of the sea used and abused in foreign policy discussions and discourses? And what capacity is there for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) – the so-called Constitution for the Oceans – to resolve these complex problems? Panel Gregory Poling (Director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, Center for Strategic and International Studies) Dr Lynn Kuok (Shangri-La Dialogue Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Security, International Institute for Strategic Studies) Dr Rebecca Strating (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) Chair Professor Nick Bisley (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University) Recorded on 15 June, 2020.

Globalisation and major power rivalry are creating a China-centric integrated Asian strategic system, drawing together the once-discrete theatres of Northeast, Southeast, South and Central Asia. Nationalist ambition among the region's giants will make integrated Asia an unstable place where cooperation among the great powers will be much harder to achieve than in the past. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) speaks to Dr Andrew Carr (Senior Lecturer, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University) about changing strategic geography. This podcast was recorded live at the launch the new Centre of Gravity Paper ‘Integrated Asia' by Nick Bisley, on 20th June, 2017. Download the paper from the Centre of Gravity website. Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: @NickBisley Follow Andrew Carr on Twitter: @AOCarr

On 14 May this year 33 world leaders gathered in Beijing for what has been touted as the inaugural Belt and Road Forum for international Cooperation. Billed as the biggest diplomatic event in China this year the summit was ostensibly about improving economic integration between East and West and providing leadership to a global economy going through difficult times. Dr Luca Anceschi (Lecturer in Central Asian Studies, University of Glasgow) joins Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) to discuss the Belt and Road Initiative and its potential to usher in a new era of Chinese global dominance. Follow Luca Anceschi on Twitter: @anceschistan Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: @nickbisley

Australia is a country that depends on investment, and normally we can't welcome it enough. But money coming from China is different, can be at odds with strategic interests, and can cause considerable tension. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia) is joined by Hannah Bretherton (Project Coordinator and Researcher at China Matters) to discuss the issues and challenges associated with Chinese investment in Australia. Follow Hannah Bretherton on Twitter: @hcbretherton Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: @nickbisley

It's no exaggeration that the election of Donald Trump was a shock to the system, and this was no more so than in the Asian region. During his election campaign Trump was abrasive and antagonistic towards many Asian countries, in particular China. Dr Ashley Townshend (Research Fellow, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia) about Trump's 'America First' approach and what it means for Asia. Follow Ashley Townshend on Twitter: @ashleytownshend Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: @nickbisley

The opening years of the 21st century seemed to herald the start of a new era. On the back of China's remarkable economic revitalisation, India's reforms, as well as the ongoing growth in South Korea, Taiwan, and ASEAN economies, many argued that the new century belonged to Asia. Is that still the case, or has the gloss come off the Asian century? Andrew Leigh (Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Federal Member for Fenner, Australia) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia) about whether the concept still applies and what Asia's development will mean for Australia. Follow Andrew Leigh on Twitter: @ALeighMP Follow Nick Bisley on Twitter: @NickBisley Subscribe to Andrew Leigh's podcast: The Good Life

Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States. While America, the world, and the Donald comes to terms with this unexpected result, the question is inevitably asked… what happens next? Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) and Dr Kumuda Simpson (International Relations, La Trobe University) speak to Matt Smith about the international reaction to a Trump presidency.