Annual Review for 2007-2008
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45755 Annual ReportWEB.pdf 1 16/1/09 9:31:17 AM Who We Are Established in 1924 and formed as a national body conference proceedings. Members receive a sub- in 1933, the Australian Institute of International Af- scription to The Diplomat through a cooperative ar- fairs is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit or- rangement. The AIIA also maintains close contacts ganisation with more than 1600 members across 7 with over 100 sister institutes and like-minded or- state and territory Branches. The AIIA hosts various ganizations throughout the world. events, offers educational opportunities and pro- duces publications, all designed to meet its objective The AIIA offers a number of ways to get involved of providing a forum for the presentation and dis- including membership, events, publishing, youth cussion of a wide range of views on contemporary networks, education programs, donation and volun- international issues. teering. For more information please visit www.aiia.asn.au. Over the years, the AIIA has been honoured by the involvement of many distinguished figures including: Former Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies, Former Chief Justices Sir Garfield Barwick, Sir John Latham and Sir Owen Dixon, Former Governor General Lord Casey, and distinguished Australians Sir Ian Clunies Ross, Sir Richard Boyer and Sir Russel Madigan. His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC, the Governor-General of Australia, was the AIIA’s Honorary Visitor during 2007-8. The AIIA hosted more than 150 events in 2007-8 on current international issues of concern to Australia. It publishes the highly-ranked Australian Journal of International Affairs and long-standing Australia in Participants at ‘Australia as a Middle Power’ World Affairs series as well as occasional papers and Colloquium, Manning Clark House, 8 September 2007 At a Glance 7 – AIIA State and Territory Branches 17 – Languages spoken by National Office interns and staff 25 – Interns and professional volunteers hosted by the National Office 34 – World citation ranking of the Australian Journal of International Affairs 43 – Embassies and consulates with AIIA membership 47 – Schools with AIIA Victoria membership 61 – Years of tracking Australian foreign policy in the Australian Journal of International Affairs 75 - Years as a national organisation 110 – Contacts with other Institutes of International Affairs worldwide 151 - AIIA events in 2007-8 350 – People who attended an AIIA VIC careers conference 1644 – AIIA members nationwide 1 45755 Annual ReportWEB.pdf 2 16/1/09 9:31:17 AM National President’s Report 75 years ago, the three Australian Branches of the members, but also Royal Institute of International Affairs combined to participated as an indi- form today’s independent Australian federation. I vidual at the Prime acknowledge the debt owed to the army of volun- Minister’s National teers and few paid staff members for our inheri- 2020 Summit in April tance. It is a story of great effort in advancing 2008 (as did AIIA WA interest in and knowledge and practice of Australia’s President Dr Sue international relations. Boyd, WA vice- president Dr Samina In our early days, with travel and communications Yasmeen, and very so limited, the AIIA occupied a much more promi- prominently, AJIA nent role, being virtually the only one of its kind. Journal Editor Prof Mi- Many of its members and volunteer officials were chael Wesley). I ac- amongst the most important Australians of the day, knowledge with in diplomacy, law, business and government. Iden- thanks Melissa’s productive year, and extend no less tities are too numerous to record here, but are out- to those interns she recruits. lined in the comprehensive history of the AIIA by Prof John Legge AO, and also woven into Prof Ross A special thank you to retiring NSW Branch Presi- Humphreys’ biography of one-time National Presi- dent Mack Williams for his wise counsel; I welcome dent Ian Clunies-Ross. A later visionary was Sir his successor, Barbara Walsh. I also thank retiring Russell Madigan, an early advocate of the impor- Queensland President Veronika Butta who left a tance to Australian’s future of both international af- much-rejuvenated branch to her successor, Geoffrey fairs and Asia. Through his efforts as Ewing. I salute Professor Aynsley Kellow for a dec- National President, our headquarters in Canberra ade of service as President of the Tasmanian become a reality in 1987, thanks to significant Branch; I welcome his successor Dr Matthew Sus- contributions from the Department of Foreign Affairs sex. AIIA Victoria Past-President, Zara Kimpton, set under then Minister and later Governor-General, the our minds alight with a magnificent financial dona- Hon Bill Hayden AC. tion to the AIIA. While her previous donations have been quietly made, she agreed this time to a little Accompanying an expansion of the university sector publicity, in order to alert others to the possibility of and development of Australia’s international focus contributing in a similar manner. after the Second World War, departments and other international affairs institutions sprang up. The Insti- Finally I warmly thank my colleagues on the tute is a natural ally of these bodies, often cooperat- National Executive for their support, and the over ing to stage events of common interest. Our core 150 volunteers, and others, who assisted through- membership includes university academics, many of out 2007-08. They, in addition to our wider mem- whom hold senior elected positions within the Insti- bership, are the life blood of the Institute. tute. Where we differ, apart from our open plat- form, is in having nation-wide operations with many more overall members from all sectors: the number hovers around 1600-1700. 2007-08 was another productive year. I salute the Clive Hildebrand dedication and effectiveness of our National Executive Director, Melissa Conley-Tyler. She not National President only succeeded in making the year productive for 2 45755 Annual ReportWEB.pdf 3 16/1/09 9:31:17 AM National Executive Director’s Report This year saw the Aus- important that we recognise that international tralian Institute of In- affairs are enormously involved and require more ternational Affairs cele- than passing thought for adequate judgment. brate its 75th year: a long time in anyone’s “It is to aid this objective that the Institute of terms. To give some International Affairs was originally brought into context, when the AIIA being, when it became apparent after the peace was formed in 1933 negotiations of 1919-1920 that much more public Australia did not yet appreciation of world issues was required before have a Department of ever real progress could be made. We are now in a Foreign Affairs & Trade. similar and even more urgent position than at that period. The well-being or destruction of civilisation The AIIA’s aim of pro- rests precariously upon the ebb and flow of opinion moting public under- and attitude among people torn with passion and standing and interest in prejudice, and with very ill-equipped knowledge… international affairs was somewhat revolutionary. In the decades following its establishment, the AIIA has played “The day is long past when the issues covered by an important role in stimulating informed and engaged the Institute are matters of intellectual and group debate on Australia’s role in the world. concern only. The Institute is designed to leave its mark to some good purpose on the actual turn of The AIIA continues strongly, boasting over 1600 mem- events. It does so not by espousing any policy – bers, with the AIIA’s seven branches offering over 150 indeed, it is strictly prevented by its constitution events this year. AIIA publications continue to stimulate from endorsing or propagating any point of view. It debate and discussion. The AIIA has a range of commu- does aim, however, to strike firmly at the heart of nity engagement programs, especially for youth, and he problem by setting up means whereby research strong international links with sister institutes worldwide. into international issues may be carried out and information of a factual nature may be The AIIA does not have a huge staff; in fact the opposite. disseminated, and also to act as a forum wherein It is a community organisation run by and for its mem- those competent not only to give information but bers. The AIIA operates due to the hard work of over to express views may do so without any 150 volunteers, interns, professional volunteers, Branch imitation...” Presidents and Council members across the country. Without this support, the AIIA wouldn’t exist. The Institute was brought into being with this opinion in mind, and with the aim of balancing public passions and To quote the words of Sir Richard Boyer, AIIA President, prejudices with educated discussion and debate. in launching the AIIA’s Australian Journal of International Despite being a venerable 75 year-old, the AIIA is still full Affairs in 1947: of energy. It refuses to act its age, and continues to grow and develop as an institution. We here today at the AIIA “Since the stirring of world events of the last few believe its objectives remain as relevant as ever, and con- years, it has become a commonplace to say that tinue to strive to achieve them. We thank the Department international affairs have ceased to be the sole of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our many supporters for preserve of foreign offices and specially trained continuing to support us in these aims. diplomats and have become not only the concern but the responsibility of the people of the world… “The temptation to assume this responsibility lightly and to regard international affairs as capable Melissa H. Conley Tyler of slick and snap judgments, is very strong.