Home Parliamentary Business Committees Senate Committees Senate Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Completed inquiries and reports Completed Inquiries 2004-07 Appendix 5 - Bilateral foundations, councils and institutes promoting people-to-people links and accurate, contemporary images of Australia in support of the Government's foreign and trade policy goals

Appendix 5 - Bilateral foundations, councils and institutes promoting people-to-people links and accurate, contemporary images of Australia in support of the Government's foreign and trade policy goals

The following summaries are based on information obtained from Annual Reports, relevant legislation and from respective websites. The committee quotes extensively from these sources.

Australia–Japan Foundation

The Australia–Japan Foundation was established as a statutory body under the Australia–Japan Foundation Act 1976. As part of the Government’s response to the Review of Corporate Governance of Statutory Authorities and Office Holders conducted by Mr John Uhrig, the Government considered that the statutory status of the Australia–Japan Foundation should be revoked. It determined and the Foundation be re-formed as a non-statutory bilateral foundation within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the same footing as other bilateral bodies established in the department to undertake similar functions. In introducing the bill to abolish the statutory status of the Foundation, the Minister for Foreign Affairs said:

It is anticipated that revoking the foundation’s statutory status and bringing it into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will better align the foundation’s activities with the government’s foreign and trade policy objectives in Japan, one of our most important and productive bilateral relationships. It is also expected to improve the foundation’s administrative efficiency. The foundation will continue its important work in delivering programs in support of those objectives while promoting contemporary Australia as a culturally diverse and technologically sophisticated society.[1]

The Act was repealed in December 2006 which effectively abolished the Foundation as a statutory body. The Foundation now operates under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Functions of Foundation

The functions of the Foundation are to encourage a closer relationship between the peoples of Australia and Japan and to further the mutual knowledge and understanding of those peoples and, in particular, but without limiting the foregoing:

to promote the study by the people of each of those countries of the language, culture and traditions, the social and political institutions, and the economic and industrial organization, of the people of the other country;
to promote the study by the people of each of those countries of the physical features, climate and ecology of the other country; and
to encourage people of each of those countries to visit the other country.[2]

The annual report notes that this involves: broadening perceptions of contemporary Australia as a dynamic, sophisticated and internationally competitive country through the creation and maintenance of a broad range of allies and stakeholders; and strengthening bilateral relations to advance Australia’s national interests.[3]

Outcome 1—Enhanced Japanese perceptions of Australia and strengthened bilateral relationship to advance Australia’s national interests.

Output 1–Provision of education programs and projects about contemporary Australia to targeted Japanese groups.

Output 2—Increased development and distribution of information about Australia and the bilateral relationship

Output 3—Increased interaction between Australian and Japanese individuals and organisations that showcase or demonstrate Australian expertise in select areas.[4]

The Australia–China Council

The Australia-China Council (ACC) was established by an Executive Council Order in 1978 and reports to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Order-In-Council outlines the ACC’s purpose and functions. The ACC is funded through the Australian Government’s International Relations Grants Programme (formerly Discretionary Grants Programme). The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade administers the Council’s funds and reports on the administration of these funds in its annual report.[5]

Australia–China Council Mission Statement and key objectives

The ACC mission statement is to broaden and deepen relations between Australia and China by:

fostering in Australia and China greater awareness and understanding of each other’s countries;
developing and expanding the areas of contact and exchange between Australia and China and their people.[6]

The ACC's key objectives are to:

Initiate, develop and support activities consistent with the stated objectives, strategies and priorities within the Council’s programme areas (Appendix B).
Stress ACC-initiated programmes and activities, rather than requests for one-off funding, giving priority to promoting Australia in China.
Promote complementarities between the Council’s different programme areas.
Maintain some flexibility so as to support new initiatives brought to the Council by other bodies.
Provide seed funding to projects most likely to produce continuous benefits.
Monitor, review and modify programmes as necessary to ensure the best match between outcomes and Council objectives.
Complement, rather than duplicate, the activities of other institutions active in Australia-China relations.
Comply with all Australian Government financial requirements.[7]

The Council’s achievements are measured against the one outcome and three outputs.[8]

Outcome 1—Advancement of Australia’s national interests through the promotion of mutual understanding between Australia and China, and broadening and deepening areas of contact and exchange.

Output—promote in china an understanding about Australia and its value.

Output 2—Foster China knowledge and skills in Australia.

Output 3—Broaden and deepen areas of bilateral contact and exchange, particularly in areas demonstrating Australian expertise.[9]

Australia–Indonesia Institute

The Australia-Indonesia Institute (AII) was established on 27 April 1989 under an Order-in-Council. It reports to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.[10]

Mission statement and goals

To develop relations between Australia and Indonesia by promoting greater mutual understanding and by contributing to the enlargement over the longer term of the areas of contact and exchange between the people of Australia and Indonesia.[11]

Goals

To promote in each country increased exposure to the other through media, educational, cultural, sporting and professional activities.
To create in Indonesia a nucleus of people with expertise in Australian affairs, especially current and future opinion leaders.
To create within Australia a wider range of people with knowledge about Indonesia, especially current and future opinion makers.
To portray Australia as culturally diverse, educationally, scientifically and technologically advanced and economically enterprising.
To increase understanding of and to improve access for Australians to the cultural diversity of Indonesian society.[12]

The Australia-Korea Foundation

The Australia–Korea Foundation (AKF) was established in May 1992 by the Commonwealth Government to develop and deepen relations between Australia and the Republic of Korea. The Foundation supports and promotes people-to-people exchanges and sustainable institutional links covering the spectrum of Australia’s relations with Korea, particularly in the areas of commerce, industry and tourism; science and technology; education; and arts and the media.[13]

The order constituting the Australia–Korea Foundation, recognises that:

the Australian Government is desirous of further developing relations between Australia and Korea:
such relations should be developed by the promotion in Korea of a greater awareness of Australia, and by the promotion in Australia of a greater awareness of Korea and the enlargement over the longer term of the areas of contact and exchange between Australia and Korea and their respective peoples:
it is desirable that there be established a body for the purpose of providing a focus for the collection, exchange and dissemination of information, and a source of advice and strategic guidance, in relation to the ways in which such relations may be encouraged, strengthened and developed.[14]

The Foundation consists of:

a Board comprising
a Chairperson; and
the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or a DFAT representative appointed by the Secretary as an ex-officio member; and
not less than 4 and not more than 13 other members; and
a secretariat provided by DFAT.[15]

The Chairperson is appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for a period not exceeding five years, and on a part-time basis.

Members of the Board, other than the Chairperson and the ex-officio DFAT member, are appointed by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for a period not exceeding three years and on a part-time basis.[16]

The Chairperson and members may be reappointed.

The function of the Board is to make recommendations to the Australian Government through the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs for the broadening of the relationship between Australia and Korea, with particular emphasis on:

raising awareness of Australia in Korea, and of Korea in Australia;
the promotion of visits and exchanges between the two countries of individuals and groups for the purpose of broadening relations in a number of areas including, in particular, commerce, education, science and technology, industrial relations, culture, sports, and the news media;
encouraging the development of institutional links amongst universities, museums, libraries, technical colleges, research institutes, professional organisations and appropriate non-government organisations;
maintaining liaison with the Korea–Australia Foundation and co-operating, where appropriate, with its programs; and the support of Australian studies in Korea and of Korean studies in Australia.[17]

In developing its function the Board should consult as widely as possible with individuals, organisations, enterprises and government departments and agencies associated or concerned with the broadening of relations between Australia and Korea.

Australia–India Council

The Australian Government established the Australia–India Council in 1992 to broaden the relationship between Australia and India by encouraging and supporting contacts and increasing levels of knowledge and understanding between the people of both countries.[18]

The Council comprises a board of members with interests in the Australia–India relationship, drawn from a wide cross-section of the Australian community. Mr Michael Abbott QC was appointed as Chairman of the Council in March 1999 for a period of three years.

The Council is supported by a secretariat located in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra. The Australian High Commission in New Delhi promotes the Council's activities in India.

The Council has the following mission statement:

The Australia–India Council promotes Australia's interests in India by initiating and supporting activities designed to enhance awareness and understanding between the peoples and institutions of both countries.

In carrying out its mission, the Council aims:

to broaden awareness and understanding in Australia and India of each country's culture, society and areas of excellence
to encourage activities that promote economic relations between Australia and India
to establish new areas of contact between Australia and India
to develop lasting links involving a wide range of people in both countries.

To achieve these aims, the Council has the following objectives:

to initiate and support, among influential persons and groups in Australia and India, activities that encourage the development of relations between the two countries, including economic and commercial relations
to initiate and support exchanges that demonstrate to Indians Australian excellence in the arts, science and technology, sport and other fields and which promote knowledge in India of Australian cultural and social attributes
to encourage Australians to take a greater interest in developments in India through Council supported activities that increase the level and quality of public awareness, and broaden community knowledge and understanding, of India in Australia
to initiate, monitor and publicise important developments in the various areas of the relationship between Australia and India
to seek maximum publicity for the Council's activities as a means of encouraging wider public appreciation of, and support for, the Council's objectives
to seek community involvement in, and private sector support for, the Council's activities.[19]

Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR)

The Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR) was formed in response to a report by the Trade Sub Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (‘Building Australia’s Trade and Investment Relationship with South America’, September 2000).[20]

One of the report’s recommendations was to ‘establish a mechanism with funding to promote initiatives, provide leadership and display commitment to developing the relationship through tangible achievements’. As a result, Mr Downer and Mr Vaile announced the formation of COALAR in March 2001, to coincide with a visit to the region by Mr Downer.[21]

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Trade agreed in March 2004 to extend COALAR for a further period of three years, until 30 June 2007.[22]

The objectives of COALAR are to

influence corporate Australia and assist in developing government policies so as to enhance Australia’s economic, political and social relations with Latin America
support Australia’s broader diplomatic and economic objectives in the Latin American region
foster a greater awareness of Australia in Latin America, and of Latin America in Australia.[23]

The Council for Australian–Arab Relations

The following information is taken directly from the 2004–05 Annual Report.

The Council for Australian–Arab Relations was established by the Australian Government in December 2002 to strengthen ties between Australia and Arab countries.[24]

Mission Statement

To promote between the peoples of Australia and the Arab world mutual interests and a greater understanding and acceptance of each other’s cultures, values, beliefs and diversity.[25]

Objectives

In carrying out its mission, the Council aims to:

broaden awareness and understanding of each other’s history, culture, society and areas of excellence
promote greater understanding of mutual foreign policy interests
encourage activities that generate economic benefits for Australia and Arab countries
promote Australia’s image in the Arab world as a culturally diverse nation of creative and innovative achievement in technology, industry, agriculture, education, the arts and sport
identify opportunities for enhanced collaboration between Australia and Arab countries
establish a strategic framework and long-term plan to foster and promote relations between Australia and Arab countries
complement the work of existing organisations through strategic partnerships.[26]

Publicity, Promotion and Media

To promote Australian achievements, joint ventures and success stories of Australia in Arab countries, and of Arab countries in Australia.
To raise awareness in Arab countries of contemporary Australian society, traditions and capabilities.
To promote to Australians the importance of the relationship between Australia and Arab countries.
To promote the work of CAAR in Australia and Arab countries.[27]

Business and Commercial

To promote awareness of the potential of Arab markets among Australian business people.
To promote in Arab countries an awareness of trade and investment, and tourism opportunities in Australia.
To promote bilateral trade opportunities between Australia and Arab countries.
To identify opportunities for employment and support the placement of Australians with Arabic language and business skills.
To enhance awareness of Australian capabilities as a supplier of sophisticated services including, but not limited to, education, information technology and tourism, in addition to traditional commodities.[28]

Education

To promote within Australia an informed understanding of Arab society and politics.
To promote and facilitate collaboration between universities and research organisations in Australia and Arab countries.
To promote Arabic language in Australia.
To promote Australian studies in Arab countries.
To develop a cadre of Australian graduates with Arabic language skills and a practical understanding of business practice and culture in Arab countries.
To encourage Australian students to develop a long-term interest in Australian–Arab relations.[29]

Cultural

To foster greater awareness in Arab countries of contemporary life in Australia and in Australia of contemporary life in Arab countries by supporting and promoting cultural, heritage and sporting activities.
To deepen understanding of the traditions, values and beliefs of contemporary Australian and Arab societies.
To complement the marketing activities of Australian companies and organisations.
To promote cross-cultural relations[30]

Australia–Malaysia Institute (AMI)

The following information is an extract from DFAT website.

The establishment of the Australia-Malaysia Institute (AMI) was announced by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Hon Alexander Downer MP, on 7 April 2005. The announcement took place during the visit to Australia by the Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, an event which underscored the long-standing links between Australia and Malaysia in defence, security, business, education and culture. The establishment of the AMI will assist the Government in its efforts to enhance these links further and to build a strong platform for the future.

The key objective of the Institute is to strengthen Australia’s people-to-people and institutional links with Malaysia. By supporting existing links and promoting new ones, the Institute aims to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation between Australia and Malaysia for the mutual benefit of the people of both nations.

The AMI is a wholly Australian initiative. The funding for the Institute comes from the existing resources of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Institute’s mission is to promote and further enhance the existing bilateral relationship by increasing linkages between people and institutions of Australia and Malaysia, and by the promotion of Australia in Malaysia.[31]

Key Objectives

The Institute’s main objective is to develop strategies to further promote and enhance the bilateral relationship. In developing strategies, the Institute will aim to:

Increase knowledge and promote understanding between the people and institutions of Australia and Malaysia
Further enhance people-to-people links
Support Australia’s broader diplomatic objectives in Malaysia.[32]

Australia–Thailand Institute

The establishment of the Australia–Thailand Institute (ATI) was announced by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Alexander Downer MP, on 29 June 2005. The purpose of the ATI is to further promote bilateral relations with Thailand and to expand institutional, cultural and people-to-people links.[33]

ATI Objectives

The Institute’s function is to enhance and promote bilateral relations between the two countries. In carrying out its mission, the Institute will aim to:

broaden awareness and understanding in Australia and Thailand of each other’s culture, traditions, social and political institutions and areas of excellence;
contribute to the development of Australia’s economic and political relations with Thailand;
promote increased social, cultural, business and other people-to-people contacts between the two countries;
support Australia’s broader diplomatic objectives in Thailand.[34]

The ATI’s activities will be directed towards achieving the Institute’s purposes and may include (but not be limited to) the following:

funding projects to implement the treaty-level Australia-Thailand Agreement on Bilateral Cooperation, particularly with respect to cooperation in science and technology, public sector reform, education, environment; tourism, energy, information, technology and telecommunications;
activities to promote the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA) and economic relations more broadly;
professional networking and institutional links particularly in the areas of health, architecture and design cultural, educational and sporting exchanges visits by high profile persons in both directions;
activities aimed at encouraging Australian community and media interest in Thailand and vice versa;
activities in consultation with Images of Australia Branch (IAB) to promote increased knowledge of multiculturalism and Australia’ educational, scientific and technological capabilities; consultation with individuals and groups, including business organisations, involved in broadening relations between Australia and Thailand.[35]

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