Australian Institute of International Affairs
Encyclopedia
The Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) is a non-profit
think tank based in Australia
. Established in 1924 and formed as a national body in 1933, the organisation endeavours to promote interest in and understanding of international affairs
. It consists of seven independent branches in each State and Territory
(excluding the Northern Territory
), along with the National Office located at Deakin
, Canberra
. It has approximately 1600 members.
The AIIA is an independent, non-profit, non-political organisation. Its constitution precludes it from holding or expressing an opinion of its own on any matter of international affairs.
It undertakes to achieve its mission of promoting interest in and understanding of international affairs by promoting debate, disseminating ideas, educating on issues and collaborating with other individuals and organisations.
Notable publications include the Australian Journal of International Affairs, Australia in World Affairs, the Australian Outlook book series and occasional papers.
The AIIA also collaborates with like organisations in other countries, as well as with private and public sector organisations and departments within Australia and abroad.
It provides a forum for discussion and debate, but does not seek to formulate its own institutional views. The Institute arranges programs of lectures, seminars, workshops, conferences and other discussions, and sponsors research and publications. The AIIA was formed in 1924 and established as a federal body body in 1933 and is the only nationwide organisation of its kind in Australia. It is financed by members' contributions, a small government subvention and tax deductible donations from individuals and businesses.
The AIIA consists of a number of independent branches, which are located in seven Australian States and Territories, and a National Office in Canberra. In addition, close contact is maintained with the Chatham House
(Royal Institute of International Affairs) and with sister institutes and similarly minded organisations around the world.
The AIIA provides a wide range of opportunities for the dissemination of information and free expression of views on these matters through discussion and publication. Precluded by its constitution from expressing any opinion of its own on international affairs, the AIIA provides a forum for the presentation and discussion of a wide range of views. Through the National Office and branches, the AIIA achieves its mission of promoting interest in and understanding of international affairs, including politics, economics and international law, in four ways:
I. Providing a Forum for Debate
The AIIA provides a forum for debate by arranging lectures, seminars and workshops for its members. These range from intimate discussions to large lectures. More than 150 events were held across the country in 2008-2009.
II. Disseminating Ideas
Throughout its history the AIIA has been involved in the key debates of international relations through its publications. The AIIA currently publishes the Australian Journal of International Affairs, the Australia in World Affairs series and occasional papers.
III. Educating on International Issues
The AIIA also works to educate the community on international issues. One of the key areas of focus is on youth.
IV. Collaborating
The AIIA seeks to collaborate with its sister institutes and other organisations in Australia and overseas. By maintaining close relationship the AIIA can assure an international view on current affairs, expand its knowledge and project Australia’s international image.
The National Office provides support to Branches, works to coordinate multi-state tours, fundraising and communication infrastructure, and to negotiate nationwide member benefits. It coordinates research and national publications, engages in development activities, hosts a number of
interns, organizes policy-oriented events, and houses a library and Conference Centre.
Branches are the primary point of access to the AIIA and are indispensable in providing member programs, discussion forums, special member groups, youth education, career development initiatives, study tours, community education and localized membership benefits.
Throughout its history the AIIA has drawn the involvement of key national figures, including Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies
, former High Court Chief Justice Sir Garfield Barwick
and former Governor General Lord Casey, among other distinguished Australians. The former Governor-General of Australia, Major General Michael Jeffery
AC CVO MC, is the AIIA’s Honorary Visitor.
Established in 1946 (as Australian Outlook) the Australian Journal of International Affairs (AJIA) is the journal of the Australian Institute of International Affairs and Australia's leading scholarly journal in this area.It is ranked 34 in 2008 ISI World Citation Rankings, with an ImpactFactor score of 0.482.
The AJIA is edited by Professor Andrew O'Neil. The journal is published four times a year by Routledge Taylor and Francis.
Australia in World Affairs
The Institute publishes the definitive series Australia in World Affairs on Australia's foreign policy. This book series has been published since the 1950s and is edited by James Cotton, and John Ravenhill.
The current issue Trading on Alliance Security, covering the years 2001-2005, charts the Howard government's response to a particularly demanding external environment, in an era when foreign policy issues had a significant impact on domestic electoral politics.
Policy Commentaries
The AIIA seeks to keep Australian citizens informed on international affairs through its events and publications which provide quick and targeted expert responses on current issues. Accordingly, the AIIA occasionally publishes policy commentaries. These include primary sources and expert opinions on a contested topic of current international affairs.
The AIIA's Policy Commentary published in June 2009 is entitled "Perspective on Pakistan" aiming to raise public awareness of the contemporary Pakistan
i issues. The Policy Commentary begins with two public statements; one is President
Asif Ali Zardari
's inauguration speech, and the other is statement by the Hon Stephen Smith
MP, Minister for Foreign Affaris and Trade
, addressing future relationship between Australia and Pakistan. Thereafter, three experts contribute essays. Ashutosh Misra, Research Fellow at Griffith University
, explains democratisation in Pakistan, Happymon Jacob, Assistant Professor at the University of Jammu
, discusses contemporary India-Pakistan relations from Indian perspective, and Salma Malik
, Lecturer at the Quaid-i-Azam University
, forecasts Pakistan-US relations under the Obama Administration.
Emerging Scholars
The AIIA launched a new Emerging Scholars series promoting the work of young researchers in international affairs in November 2007.
The Emerging Scholars series provides a unique opportunity for young researchers to
influence debate in the community on a number of important issues. For the authors, it is
a valuable opportunity to publish, often for the first time, and to reach an audience of
their peers and elders, many of whom are experts in their fields.
The AIIA encourages young people to actively engage with international affairs, and seeks to provide as many forums as possible for them to do so. In conjunction with James Cook University
, AIIA promotes a Young Diplomats Program for students in year 10 to prepare for and conduct mock international negotiations in a team competition. The program was first introduced in 1996 in 11 Townsville Secondary Schools as a joint project of the AIIA North Queensland Branch, James Cook University and the Queensland Department of Education before being also adopted by the AIIA’s Tasmanian and ACT’s Branch. In Townsville, the Program was revived in cooperation with James Cook University, in 2008 with 8 schools participating.
The AIIA National Office held a reception for the winners in Canberra and arranged visits to policymakers and Diplomats to add to the students’ experience.
Youth Networks
A number of AIIA Branches offer youth networks for young professionals interested in international affairs including special events, consular visits, youth speakers and mentoring. The AIIA thus fulfils its role in fostering and developing Australia’s emerging young foreign policy professionals.
Internships
The AIIA National Office and a number of AIIA Branches offer internships for Australian and international students and graduates throughout the year.
Nygh Internship
The Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) and the Australian Branch of the International Law Association (ILA(AB)) fund the Peter Nygh Hague Conference Internship. The award supports a post graduate student or graduate of an Australian law school to undertake an internship with the Hague Conference on Private International Law (the Hague Conference) in the Netherlands
by providing funds to cover the cost of travel to the Netherlands and a contribution towards living expenses.
Moreover, the AIIA VIC and AIIA's NSW Branch also have substantial holdings in international relations.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
think tank based in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Established in 1924 and formed as a national body in 1933, the organisation endeavours to promote interest in and understanding of international affairs
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
. It consists of seven independent branches in each State and Territory
States and territories of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a union of six states and various territories. The Australian mainland is made up of five states and three territories, with the sixth state of Tasmania being made up of islands. In addition there are six island territories, known as external territories, and a...
(excluding the Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
), along with the National Office located at Deakin
Deakin, Australian Capital Territory
Deakin is a suburb of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Deakin is named after Alfred Deakin, second prime minister of Australia...
, Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
. It has approximately 1600 members.
The AIIA is an independent, non-profit, non-political organisation. Its constitution precludes it from holding or expressing an opinion of its own on any matter of international affairs.
It undertakes to achieve its mission of promoting interest in and understanding of international affairs by promoting debate, disseminating ideas, educating on issues and collaborating with other individuals and organisations.
Notable publications include the Australian Journal of International Affairs, Australia in World Affairs, the Australian Outlook book series and occasional papers.
The AIIA also collaborates with like organisations in other countries, as well as with private and public sector organisations and departments within Australia and abroad.
Mission
The Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) is an independent, non-profit organisation seeking to promote interest in and understanding of international affairs in Australia.It provides a forum for discussion and debate, but does not seek to formulate its own institutional views. The Institute arranges programs of lectures, seminars, workshops, conferences and other discussions, and sponsors research and publications. The AIIA was formed in 1924 and established as a federal body body in 1933 and is the only nationwide organisation of its kind in Australia. It is financed by members' contributions, a small government subvention and tax deductible donations from individuals and businesses.
The AIIA consists of a number of independent branches, which are located in seven Australian States and Territories, and a National Office in Canberra. In addition, close contact is maintained with the Chatham House
Chatham House
Chatham House, formally known as The Royal Institute of International Affairs, is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based in London whose mission is to analyse and promote the understanding of major international issues and current affairs. It is regarded as one of the world's leading...
(Royal Institute of International Affairs) and with sister institutes and similarly minded organisations around the world.
The AIIA provides a wide range of opportunities for the dissemination of information and free expression of views on these matters through discussion and publication. Precluded by its constitution from expressing any opinion of its own on international affairs, the AIIA provides a forum for the presentation and discussion of a wide range of views. Through the National Office and branches, the AIIA achieves its mission of promoting interest in and understanding of international affairs, including politics, economics and international law, in four ways:
I. Providing a Forum for Debate
The AIIA provides a forum for debate by arranging lectures, seminars and workshops for its members. These range from intimate discussions to large lectures. More than 150 events were held across the country in 2008-2009.
II. Disseminating Ideas
Throughout its history the AIIA has been involved in the key debates of international relations through its publications. The AIIA currently publishes the Australian Journal of International Affairs, the Australia in World Affairs series and occasional papers.
III. Educating on International Issues
The AIIA also works to educate the community on international issues. One of the key areas of focus is on youth.
IV. Collaborating
The AIIA seeks to collaborate with its sister institutes and other organisations in Australia and overseas. By maintaining close relationship the AIIA can assure an international view on current affairs, expand its knowledge and project Australia’s international image.
Organisation: AIIA National Office and Branches
The Australian Institute of International Affairs consists of seven state and territory Branches, coordinated by a National Office located in Canberra, at Stephen House. This office is managed by the National Executive Director with oversight by a National Executive composed of Branch Presidents and national office holders.The National Office provides support to Branches, works to coordinate multi-state tours, fundraising and communication infrastructure, and to negotiate nationwide member benefits. It coordinates research and national publications, engages in development activities, hosts a number of
interns, organizes policy-oriented events, and houses a library and Conference Centre.
Branches are the primary point of access to the AIIA and are indispensable in providing member programs, discussion forums, special member groups, youth education, career development initiatives, study tours, community education and localized membership benefits.
Throughout its history the AIIA has drawn the involvement of key national figures, including Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies
Robert Menzies
Sir Robert Gordon Menzies, , Australian politician, was the 12th and longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia....
, former High Court Chief Justice Sir Garfield Barwick
Garfield Barwick
Sir Garfield Edward John Barwick, was the Attorney-General of Australia , Minister for External Affairs and the seventh and longest serving Chief Justice of Australia...
and former Governor General Lord Casey, among other distinguished Australians. The former Governor-General of Australia, Major General Michael Jeffery
Michael Jeffery
Major General Philip Michael Jeffery AC, CVO, MC was the 24th Governor-General of Australia , the first Australian career soldier to be appointed governor-general...
AC CVO MC, is the AIIA’s Honorary Visitor.
Events
The Australian Institute of International Affairs provides a forum for discussion and debate by arranging lectures, conferences, and seminars. In providing a forum for debate the AIIA does not formulate its own institutional views but invites speakers to express their own views. AIIA events include intimate discussions as well as large lectures. Each Branch works autonomously on its own program on topics of current interest and the National Office focuses on policy and multi-Branch member events. Through the parallel work of the National Office and the different branches, the AIIA promotes interest and understanding of international affairs. The National Office also assists in organising speakers to visit the varying Branches, referring speakers to them and organizing policy-focused events. Over 150 events were held across the country in 2008-2009. AIIA often partners with other organisations in its events.Publications
Australian Journal of International AffairsEstablished in 1946 (as Australian Outlook) the Australian Journal of International Affairs (AJIA) is the journal of the Australian Institute of International Affairs and Australia's leading scholarly journal in this area.It is ranked 34 in 2008 ISI World Citation Rankings, with an ImpactFactor score of 0.482.
The AJIA is edited by Professor Andrew O'Neil. The journal is published four times a year by Routledge Taylor and Francis.
Australia in World Affairs
The Institute publishes the definitive series Australia in World Affairs on Australia's foreign policy. This book series has been published since the 1950s and is edited by James Cotton, and John Ravenhill.
The current issue Trading on Alliance Security, covering the years 2001-2005, charts the Howard government's response to a particularly demanding external environment, in an era when foreign policy issues had a significant impact on domestic electoral politics.
Policy Commentaries
The AIIA seeks to keep Australian citizens informed on international affairs through its events and publications which provide quick and targeted expert responses on current issues. Accordingly, the AIIA occasionally publishes policy commentaries. These include primary sources and expert opinions on a contested topic of current international affairs.
The AIIA's Policy Commentary published in June 2009 is entitled "Perspective on Pakistan" aiming to raise public awareness of the contemporary Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
i issues. The Policy Commentary begins with two public statements; one is President
President of Pakistan
The President of Pakistan is the head of state, as well as figurehead, of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Recently passed an XVIII Amendment , Pakistan has a parliamentary democratic system of government. According to the Constitution, the President is chosen by the Electoral College to serve a...
Asif Ali Zardari
Asif Ali Zardari
Asif Ali Zardari is the 11th and current President of Pakistan and the Co-Chairman of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party . He is also the widower of Benazir Bhutto, who served two nonconsecutive terms as Prime Minister....
's inauguration speech, and the other is statement by the Hon Stephen Smith
Stephen Smith (Australian politician)
Stephen Francis Smith , is the Australian Minister for Defence. He has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1993, representing the Division of Perth, Western Australia....
MP, Minister for Foreign Affaris and Trade
Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)
In the Government of Australia, the Minister for Foreign Affairs is responsible for overseeing the international diplomacy section of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In common with international practice, the office is often informally referred to as Foreign Minister...
, addressing future relationship between Australia and Pakistan. Thereafter, three experts contribute essays. Ashutosh Misra, Research Fellow at Griffith University
Griffith University
Griffith University is a public, coeducational, research university located in the southeastern region of the Australian state of Queensland. The university has five satellite campuses located in the Gold Coast, Logan City and in the Brisbane suburbs of Mount Gravatt, Nathan and South Bank. Current...
, explains democratisation in Pakistan, Happymon Jacob, Assistant Professor at the University of Jammu
University of Jammu
The University of Jammu was established in 1969 by an Act of the State Legislature which effectively bifurcated the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir University into the Universities of Jammu and Kashmir respectively. The University is at present located on the banks of the Tawi River...
, discusses contemporary India-Pakistan relations from Indian perspective, and Salma Malik
Salma Malik
Salma Malik is teaching at the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad.- Biography :Salma Malik was born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. She has studied at Islamabad College for Girls and then at FG College F-7/2, Islamabad, from where she completed her Bachelors...
, Lecturer at the Quaid-i-Azam University
Quaid-i-Azam University
The Quaid-i-Azam University is a public, research university in Islamabad Capital Territory of Pakistan. It was initially founded as the "University of Islamabad" in July 1967...
, forecasts Pakistan-US relations under the Obama Administration.
Emerging Scholars
The AIIA launched a new Emerging Scholars series promoting the work of young researchers in international affairs in November 2007.
The Emerging Scholars series provides a unique opportunity for young researchers to
influence debate in the community on a number of important issues. For the authors, it is
a valuable opportunity to publish, often for the first time, and to reach an audience of
their peers and elders, many of whom are experts in their fields.
Community and Youth Engagement
Young Diplomats ProgramThe AIIA encourages young people to actively engage with international affairs, and seeks to provide as many forums as possible for them to do so. In conjunction with James Cook University
James Cook University
James Cook University is a public university based in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. The university has two Australian campuses, located in Townsville and Cairns respectively, and an international campus in Singapore. JCU is the second oldest university in Queensland—proclaimed in 1970—and the...
, AIIA promotes a Young Diplomats Program for students in year 10 to prepare for and conduct mock international negotiations in a team competition. The program was first introduced in 1996 in 11 Townsville Secondary Schools as a joint project of the AIIA North Queensland Branch, James Cook University and the Queensland Department of Education before being also adopted by the AIIA’s Tasmanian and ACT’s Branch. In Townsville, the Program was revived in cooperation with James Cook University, in 2008 with 8 schools participating.
The AIIA National Office held a reception for the winners in Canberra and arranged visits to policymakers and Diplomats to add to the students’ experience.
Youth Networks
A number of AIIA Branches offer youth networks for young professionals interested in international affairs including special events, consular visits, youth speakers and mentoring. The AIIA thus fulfils its role in fostering and developing Australia’s emerging young foreign policy professionals.
Internships
The AIIA National Office and a number of AIIA Branches offer internships for Australian and international students and graduates throughout the year.
Nygh Internship
The Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) and the Australian Branch of the International Law Association (ILA(AB)) fund the Peter Nygh Hague Conference Internship. The award supports a post graduate student or graduate of an Australian law school to undertake an internship with the Hague Conference on Private International Law (the Hague Conference) in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
by providing funds to cover the cost of travel to the Netherlands and a contribution towards living expenses.
AIIA Fellows Program
In 2008, the AIIA launched a Fellows Award to recognise individuals who have achieved a very high level of distinction in and made a distinguished contribution to Australia's international affairs. The inaugural group of fellows announced were:- Dr Coral Bell AO, Fellow, Australian National UniversityAustralian National UniversityThe Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
- The Hon. Gareth EvansGareth Evans (politician)Gareth John Evans, AO, QC , is a former Australian politician from 1978 to 1999 representing the Australian Labor Party, serving in a number of ministries including Attorney-General and Foreign Minister from 1983 to 1996 in the Hawke and Keating governments. He was president and chief executive...
AO QC, President of the International Crisis Group and former Minister for Foreign Affairs - Dr Stephen FitzGerald, former professor and first Australian Ambassador to the People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of ChinaChina , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
- Mr Hamish McDonaldHamish McDonaldHamish McDonald is a print journalist and author of a series of polemic political commentaries on various Asia-Pacific subjects. He is currently based in Beijing as correspondent for The Age-Career:...
, Asia-Pacific Editor, Sydney Morning Herald - Dr Robert O'Neill, former Chichele Professor, University of OxfordUniversity of OxfordThe University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, and Director of the International Institute of Strategic Studies, London - Lieutenant General John SandersonJohn SandersonLieutenant General John Murray Sanderson AC is a former Governor of Western Australia and a former Chief of the Australian Army.-Early life:...
AC, former Chief of the Australian ArmyAustralian ArmyThe Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
and Governor of Western AustraliaGovernor of Western AustraliaThe Governor of Western Australia is the representative in Western Australia of Australia's Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. The Governor performs important constitutional, ceremonial and community functions, including:* presiding over the Executive Council;... - Mr James WolfensohnJames WolfensohnSir James David Wolfensohn AO KBE FKC was the ninth president of the World Bank Group.-Early life:James Wolfensohn was born in Sydney, Australia, on 1 December 1933...
KBE AO, former President of the World Bank - Mr Richard WoolcottRichard WoolcottRichard Arthur Woolcott, AC is a retired Australian diplomat, author and commentator.Woolcott was educated at Geelong Grammar School and the University of Melbourne, and became a member of the Australian Diplomatic Service. He held positions as Australia's ambassador to Indonesia and The...
AC, former diplomat and Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
The Casey Library
The Library aims to support the needs and objectives of the AIIA. The Casey Library is a small, specialised library located in the AIIA National Headquarters, Canberra with holdings in the areas of international affairs and foreign relations. The Library is available for reference to all AIIA members, and to other interested persons by arrangement.Moreover, the AIIA VIC and AIIA's NSW Branch also have substantial holdings in international relations.
Further reading
- Diane Stone, ‘A Think Tank in Evolution or Decline?: The Australian Institute of International Affairs in Comparative Perspective’, The Australian Journal of International Affairs, 50 (2) 1996: 117-36.
Sister Institutes
- New Zealand Institute of International Affairs
- Singapore Institute of International Affairs
- South African Institute of International Affairs