Global Politics

Recent incidents involving surrogacy in Asian countries have shed light on a growing trend. Prospective parents are traveling to Asian countries with lower costs and less stringent laws, to engage the services of surrogate parents. Discussing this issue is a panel of experts: Professor Jenni Millbank, University of Technology, Sydney Associate Professor Andrea Whittaker, ARC Future Fellow in Anthropology in the School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University Associate Professor Kerry Petersen, La Trobe Law School Dr Rhonda Powell, a human rights lawyer with particular interest in rights in pregnancy and birthing rights; Lecturer at University of Canterbury Claire Achmad: PhD candidate, Faculty of Law, University of Leiden, The Netherlands Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

A look at the big events in Asia in the year 2014 - the elections of Modi in India and Jokowai in Indonesia, to the military coup of Thailand, the popular protests in Hong Kong, the tension in the East China Sea and the dominance of the Chinese economy. Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

With Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi proving to be a big hit in Australia during the G20, Professor Nick Bisley (Excutive Director, La Trobe Asia) and Dr Ian Hall (Department of International Relations, ANU) take a look at his relationship with Australia and the impact he's making on the world stage. Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Tensions between China and Japan have ratcheted up in recent years, to the point where their territorial dispute over islands in the East China Sea is seen as among the region’s most dangerous flashpoints. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director, La Trobe Asia) explains that insufficient attention has been given to the potential ramifications for Australia of conflict in the East China Sea. Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Will China be able to sustain the economic growth rates of the past decade? Dr Geoff Raby (former Australian Ambassador to China) on the impact of the wide ranging reform program launched by Xi Jinping on China's economy and society, and the implications for Australia. Introduced by Professor Nick Bisley as a public lecture for La Trobe Asia. Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Hong Kong is currently experiencing protests caused by public disagreements over changes to how the Chief Executive of Hong Kong will be selected. In this episode of Asia Rising, Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) speaks to Dr James Leibold (Senior Lecturer, Chinese Politics and Asian Studies, La Trobe University) look at the development of the popular protests in Hong Kong and how they might play out.

During his first year of office, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has conducted a surprisingly energetic and focused foreign policy. He's visited a number of countries in the Asian region and furthered Australia's interests by signing fair trade agreements with Japan and South Korea, as well as making progress in relationships with both China and India. In this episode of Asia Rising, Professor Nick Bisley (La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) speaks to host Matt Smith about Abbott's interactions with Asia in his first year of office.

On 22 July Joko Widodo was formally announced as the winner of Indonesia’s closely fought presidential election. Although Indonesia has enjoyed democratic rule since 1998, this is the first time one elected leader has been replaced by another. A fine result in a difficult year for democracy in Asia. The new president is clearly well liked, but he has considerable challenges to tackle. Dr Dirk Tomsa Dr Dirk Tomsa (Politics and International Relations at La Trobe University) and Dr David McRae, (Asia Institute, University of Melbourne) present this lecture on how and why Jokowi won, what kind of president he is likely to become, what his policy priorities are likely to be and what kind of international role Indonesia is likely to play under a president who has no experience in foreign policy. Introduced by Professor Nick Bisley as a seminar for La Trobe Asia. Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

Japan has taken a more energised approach on the global stage in recent years, particularly under the leadership of the current Prime Minister, Shinzō Abe. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) and Dr David Envall (Department of International Relations, Australian National University) look at Japan's emerging place in Asia, and the relationship it has with foreign powers. A La Trobe Asia podcast. Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.

On the 22nd May 2014 the Royal Thai Armed forces led by General Prayuth Chan-ocha launched a coup against the democratically elected government government, dissolved the senate and stabled a Junta to govern the nation. Since that time there's been a clampdown on freedom of speech and expression, there's a curfew in place, and while a return to democracy is promised there's uncertainty as to when this will happen. Professor Nick Bisley (Executive Director of La Trobe Asia, La Trobe University) discusses the Thai political system, and the challenges of restoring democracy. A La Trobe Asia podcast. Copyright 2014 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Please contact for permissions.