Global Politics

In recent months there has been intense speculation in the media and in policy forums about China’s involvement in the Pacific. In turn, this has raised questions about the Australia’s historical and continuing role in the region, as well as evolving issues around sovereignty and neo-colonialism.

Is the sovereignty of Pacific nations under threat? Or is China really providing aid only in order to help those nations attain sustainable development? Should Australia be doing more to support Pacific nations and, if so, what form should this take?

Speakers:

The Hon. John Brumby (Former Premier of Victoria, currently President of the Australia China Business Council, and incoming Chancellor of La Trobe University).

Ms Makereta Komai (Manager/Editor, Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and author of ‘Fiji’s Foreign Policy and the New Pacific Diplomacy’ in The New Pacific Diplomacy, edited by Greg Fry and Sandra Tarte, ANU Press, 2015)

Chaired by Professor Nick Bisley (Head of School of Humanities and Social Sciences at La Trobe University)

A public forum hosted by La Trobe University’s Pacific Research Community, La Trobe Asia, and the China Studies Research Centre.

Held on 20th September, 2018.

East Asia’s security environment is changing rapidly. China’s power and confidence is rising, the US is increasingly introspective and uncertainty abounds about its power and purpose.As a new equilibrium has yet to be established in the security order, how can middle ranking countries like Japan and Australia manage their interests?

Guests:

Professor Nick Bisley (Head of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University)

Dr Rebecca Strating (Lecturer in Politics, La Trobe University)

For most defectors the decision to leave North Korea is never an easy one, and there are major difficulties in addressing the refugee crisis. Those crossing into China risk arrest and deportation, and the safety of those left behind is often in question.

The status of these refugees is an international issue, and they face a challenge of accessing support and services once they reach safety. While many settle in South Korea there is now a global North Korean diaspora, shaping the global policy debate towards North Korea. All of this could face imminent change with evolving international relations.

SPEAKERS:

Hyeonseo Lee

North Korean refugee, Author The Girl with Seven Names

Dr Danielle Chubb

Senior Lecturer in International Relations, Deakin University

Dr Jay Song

Senior Lecturer in Korean Studies, University of Melbourne

Dr Rebecca Strating (Chair)

Lecturer in Politics, La Trobe University

A La Trobe Asia event in partnership with the 2018 Bendigo Writers Festival. Held at the State Library of Victoria on 8th August, 2018.

For decades Australia’s security and economic policy has been developed based on an established regional order coming out of World War II, but we are now in turbulent times. Strong personalities and strained tensions means a change in the balance of power in the Asian region.

Guest:

Gareth Evans (Former politician and cabinet minister during the Hawke and Keating governments and foreign minister from 1988 to 1996. Chancellor of the Australian National University).

Japan is one of many countries faced with an ageing population, but the problem is quite pronounced. The world's lowest fertility rate combined with a high life expectancy gives it the oldest mean age in the world of 46.1. A third of Japanese are aged over 60, and the country's population is falling.

Guest:

Associate Professor Nobuhiro Aizawa (Center for Asia-Pacific Future Studies at Kyushu University).

For most defectors the decision to leave North Korea is never an easy one, and there are major difficulties in addressing the refugee crisis. Those crossing into China risk arrest and deportation, and the safety of those left behind is often in question.

The status of these refugees is an international issue, and they face a challenge of accessing support and services once they reach safety. While many settle in South Korea there is now a global North Korean diaspora, shaping the global policy debate towards North Korea. All of this could face imminent change with evolving international relations.

SPEAKERS:

Hyeonseo Lee

North Korean refugee, Author The Girl with Seven Names

Dr Danielle Chubb

Senior Lecturer in International Relations, Deakin University

Dr Jay Song

Senior Lecturer in Korean Studies, University of Melbourne

Dr Rebecca Strating (Chair)

Lecturer in Politics, La Trobe University

A La Trobe Asia event in partnership with the 2018 Bendigo Writers Festival. Held at the State Library of Victoria on 8th August, 2018.

Japan is one of many countries faced with an ageing population, but the problem is quite pronounced. The world's lowest fertility rate combined with a high life expectancy gives it the oldest mean age in the world of 46.1. A third of Japanese are aged over 60, and the country's population is falling.

Guest:

Associate Professor Nobuhiro Aizawa (Center for Asia-Pacific Future Studies at Kyushu University).

The mausoleum of Emperor Qin is a national treasure of China, and is known throughout the world for the army of terracotta warriors that guard his final resting place.

The army of terracotta warriors is vast, and we are still discovering how they are made,and how best to preserve them.

Guest:

Xiuzhen Li (Senior Archaeologist, Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum)

On 12th June 2018 the world witnessed a peace summit between two long feuding leaders the United States president Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un. While the meeting was unprecedented but did it deliver anything worthwhile, or was it just a glorified photo-op?

Guest:

Dr Michael Cohen (Senior lecturer at the National Security College, Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific). The author of 'When Proliferation causes Peace: The Psychology of Nuclear Crises' published by Goergetown University Press.

In recent history the world witnessed a peace summit between the United States president Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim-Jong Un. While Trump cites his negotiating and business skills in bring Kim to the table, Kim would likely see it as an acknowledgement of the threat he poses with viable nuclear weapons.

Does state acquisition of nuclear weapons lead to stability and peace or instability and crisis?

Speaker:

Dr Michael Cohen (Senior lecturer at the National Security College, Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU College of Asia and the Pacific). The author of 'When Proliferation causes Peace: The Psychology of Nuclear Crises' published by Goergetown University Press.

This talk was recorded on the 20th June 2018 at the city campus of La Trobe University.