Global Politics

China's economy is in a state of transition, and its success and failure has an impact on a global level. Dr Geoff Raby (Australia's Ambassador to China from 2007-2011, director of his Beijing-based business advisory company – Geoff Raby and Associates Ltd) speaks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) about how the Chinese economy is transitioning and the changes it needs to make. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Australia has a relationship of mutual respect on the surface, but there are also deep concerns about the broader consequences of China's return as a great power. Linda Jakobson, John Lee, Bob Carr and Geoff Raby discuss the complex relationship, the recent fall of the Chinese economy and its repercussions for Australia, and the implications of the highly controversial Free Trade Agreement. Introduced by Professor Nick Bisley, Executive Director of La Trobe University.

The relationship between Australia and India will face challenges in the future, the extent to which these continue and the ongoing need to work hard, on both sides, to improve links not just between Canberra and Delhi but between our societies more broadly. John McCarthy AO FAIIA (Former Australian ambassador and High Commissioner to India (2004-2009), Professor Ian Hall (Griffith Business School, Griffith University) and Dr Meg Gurry (Honorary Research Associate of La Trobe Asia at La Trobe University) discuss the need for greater people-to-people links and also the limits to just what it is that government can do to improve the situation. Introduced by Professor Nick Bisley, Executive Director of La Trobe University. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

North Korea has an image of dire poverty and famine, but thanks to trade with Russia and China the economy is a dynamic space and fast developing. Dr Benjamin Habib (Politics and International Relations, La Trobe University) speaks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe University) about the impact of North Korea's development and the emergence of the 'donju', the middle class. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

China marked the 70th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II with a massive military parade which was as much a celebration as it was a show of force to the rest of the world. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) and Dr James Leibold (Senior lecturer, Department of Politics and Philosophy, La Trobe University) examine the parade and the message that Xi Jinping was trying to send, both domestically and internationally. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Dr Jasmine-Kim Westendorf (International Relations, La Trobe University) examines the unconventional approach taken in the peace process in Nepal and how it affected the establishment and consolidation of peace. Her book "Negotiating Insecurity: Why Peace Processes Fail in Civil Wars" has just been released by Lynne Rienner Publishers. This was a guest lecture delivered to the Melbourne South Asian Study Group. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

The Indian Ocean is often thought of with a post World War II context, but it's had a long history prior to this when empires in the area struggled for dominance. Assoc. Professor Andrew Phillips (Reader in International Relations and Strategy, University of Queensland) talks to Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) about the early growth of empire and the beginning of European influence. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Jo Hong-ju (Republic of Korea's Consul-General to Victoria) presents a South Korean perspective of inter-korean politics, and the fundemental divide between north and south. A “Contemporary Politics in Northeast Asia” lecture from the La Trobe University Department of Politics and Philosophy and La Trobe Asia. Introduced by Dr Benjamin Habib, (Lecturer in international relations, La Trobe University). Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

North Korea is vulnerable to climate change, and is a country vulnerable to food insecurity. It has an active relationship with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), brought on largely by a strong incentives program. Dr Benjamin Habib (International Relations, La Trobe University) speaks to Matt Smith North Korea’s climate change efforts and compliance with the UNFCCC, and explains their motives. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

With the 70th anniversary of World War II fast approaching in the Asian region, there will be a vastly different take on how the event is celebrated, particularly the Chinese independence from Japan. Professor Nick Bisley (Director of La Trobe Asia) speaks to Matt Smith about what to expect from both China and Japan, and how the rest of the world will view the events. Copyright 2015 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.