Asia Rising

The United Nations has long been seen as an organisation of international cooperation, and every country tries to use it to legitimise their actions and views on a global stage. Perhaps none is more successful than this and influential than China.

Guest: Assoc. Professor Courtney Fung (Security Studies & Criminology, Macquarie University and Scholar in residence, Asia Society Australia).

Recorded on 7th December, 2023.

India has a population of 1.4 billion to support, and there is one basic commodity that every one of those citizens needs: water. But with only 4% of the world’s fresh water resources and demands of industry and agriculture to contend with, it is fair to assume that clean, usable water is going to be in high demand.

Guest: Ambika Vishwanath (Co-founder of the Kubernein Initiative)

Recorded on 24 November, 2024.

With its densely populated cities, low-lying islands, and melting glaciers, Asia is a region vulnerable to the impact of climate change. Extreme heat, weather disasters and the rising sea level could lead to mass flooding, landslides and drought, impacting millions.

While governments across developing Asia have made ambitious climate pledges, there remains substantial scope for expansion, and the region stands to gain many benefits from decisive action. How is climate change going to affect the region in the decade to come? What efforts are being made to increase regional climate resilience? What is Australia’s role in preserving its own regional environment and assisting its neighbours?

Panel:

- Ambika Vishwanath (Co-Founder & Director, Kubernein Initiative)

- Professor Lauren Rickards (Director, La Trobe Climate Change Adaptation Lab, La Trobe University)

- Dr Ruth Gamble (Senior Lecturer & DECRA Fellow, Department of Archaeology and History, La Trobe University)

- Associate Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) (Chair)

Held on 25 November, 2023.

Sarnath, in Uttar Pradesh, India, is the site where Buddha delivered his first sermon, and a significant stop on the Buddhist pilgrimage trail. But long since overshadowed by local Hindu sites, it remains underdeveloped.

Guest: Dr Kiran Shinde (Urban Planning, La Trobe University)

Recorded 8th November, 2023.

In 2020 China’s top legislature unanimously passed a new national security law for Hong Kong. Entered into force the same day. Vague and broad in its remit, it applies to everyone who is deemed a risk to national security, and has had wide implications to freedom and protest in Hong Kong, how the justice system works and how law can be applied.

Guest: Dr Karen Lee (Senior lecturer, La Trobe Law School, La Trobe University)

Recorded 5th September, 2023.

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)

There’s a proven link between the benefits of sport programs within schools, not just through personal development but also community cohesion. In a country as linguistically and culturally diverse as India, implementing such programs can be a challenge.

Guest: Dr Biju Philip (La Trobe Business School, 2023 La Trobe Asia Fellow).

Recorded 5th September 2023.

In the past few years India's right-wing ruling BJP party has made efforts to change curriculum and censor textbooks in an attempt to deprioritise history that doesn't amplify their narrative - in particular centuries of India's Mughal history.

Host: Dr Ruth Gamble (Senior Lecturer and DECRA Fellow, Archaeology and History, La Trobe University)

Guest: Divya Rama Gopalakrishnan (History, La Trobe University)

Recorded 7th July, 2023.

There has long been an associated benefit between sport and learning, as it develops communication, social and psychological benefits. In the context of India, it could be used as an active part of the curriculum, to encourage activity-based learning initiatives and improve the quality of school education.

The prospect comes with challenges – India is a populous country, multilinguistic and culturally diverse. However, India is a sport loving nation, and sport has important roles to play in Indian society. This creates an opportunity for India to use sport as a tool to engage children and adults for increased social participation, livelihoods, development and community connections.

A La Trobe Asia / Australia India Institute Event

Panel:

Dr Biju Philip (La Trobe Business School, La Trobe University)

The Hon. Lisa Singh (CEO, Australia India Institute)

Mr David Hussey (Head of Male Cricket, Cricket Victoria)

Dr Greg Dingle (La Trobe Business School, La Trobe University)

Chair:

Associate Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia)

Recorded on 28 July, 2023.