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Leading Australia's Future in the Asia-Pacific (LAFIA)
Expressions of interest may now be lodged for the 2010 LAFIA study tours. Further details of the countries to be visited and the dates of the study tours will be provided shortly. Expressions of interest may be emailed to jeanne.sainsbury@apsc.gov.au.
In 2009, two LAFIA programmes will be conducted by the Australian Public Service Commission in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and The Crawford School of Economics and Government at the Australian National University.
- LAFIA Asia 2009 will focus on China and South Korea
- LAFIA Pacific 2009 will focus on Australia's Pacific neighbours-Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Samoa
Key senior executive government programme
Each year around 25 senior executives from the Australian and New Zealand public sector take part in LAFIA programmes across Asia and the Pacific. More than 260 senior executives have participated in LAFIA, now in its sixteenth year.
LAFIA Asia 2009 (China and South Korea)
If you are a member of the Commonwealth, State or New Zealand public service senior executive (Band 2 or 3, or equivalent) this programme gives you the context and background for the international dimension of your senior leader responsibilities.
Enhance your strategic leadership, build senior executive business and management skills, promote a greater understanding of the region and its significance and establish valuable contacts and networks.
Programme background
Join a group of diverse and high profile senior executives as part of LAFIA Asia 2009.
LAFIA Asia 2009 analyses Australia’s contemporary engagement with Asia. You will be encouraged as a senior executive to think about the effects of current developments within the region on Australia, your agency and yourself as a leader in government.
The unique and challenging political, economic, strategic and social issues in the Asia region increasingly influence Australia’s directions and policies. India, Thailand and Singapore have become key economic and policy powerhouses of Asia and LAFIA will provide you with a unique opportunity to better understand the intricacies of these two diverse countries.
LAFIA Asia 2009 takes you on a structured study tour of these countries.
LAFIA Asia 2009 allows you to experience contemporary challenges that face Asia initially through intensive pre-tour diplomatic and academic briefings. Then in China and South Korea you will meet with senior government, business and community leaders, visit key political, commercial and community locations and enjoy stimulating discussions with influential decision makers.
Key elements of LAFIA Asia 2009
- gain deep insights into the motivation of the people of the region
- broaden your understanding of Asian institutions, culture and history
- cultivate an awareness of demographic profiles, social and economic context
- refine your understanding of political and strategic implications and
- conduct high level dialogue with political powerbrokers, business entities and government.
LAFIA is a distinctive contribution to enhancing your performance and leadership skills as a senior member of the Australian and New Zealand public sectors. Through a structured and tailored programme designed to meet your portfolio needs and wider interests you are afforded a unique opportunity to experience first hand the social economic and political dimensions that charge Asia.
LAFIA Asia 2009 Programme features
- Two day Introductory Strategic Dialogue in Canberra - 7 and 8 May 2009
- Three week overseas study tour visiting China and South Korea - 30 May to 20 June 2009
- A post study tour reporting and evaluation session in Canberra - 30 July 2009
LAFIA Asia 2009 focuses on China and South Korea.
China
China's gross domestic product (GDP) reached more than 30 trillion yuan (4.4 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2008 after a stellar period of extraordinary growth. The Chinese Government, recognising that China could not stay immune to the global financial contagion, announced a massive US$585 billion dollar economic stimulus package in November 2008 and budgeted for a US$135 billion deficit in March 2009 aimed at further public spending to boost its economy.
Although China’s share of the global economy is still only 5%, there is widespread speculation that an impetus to the Chinese economy will be the trigger to a worldwide resurgence of the global economy. LAFIA 2009 will investigate this issue, examine the resilience of the Chinese economy and assess the impact of the stimulus packages and the flow-on effects for the Australian economy. LAFIA will also explore the contemporary political and social environment in China after decades of spectacular economic growth. LAFIA will also explore China’s emerging importance in the global strategic balance as seen by key players in China itself.
South Korea
South Korea boasts Asia’s fourth largest economy built on a period of rapid development and industrialisation in the 60s and 70s. Korea has also undergone a remarkable political transition to a robust democracy. Reeling from the global economic crisis, the South Korean economy is now forecast to shrink by about 2 per cent in 2009; the first contraction since the Asian financial crisis in 1998 when more than 1 million jobs were lost.
Collapsing exports in the year to February 2009 have resulted in more than 200,000 jobs lost and the won has depreciated sharply (by 35 per cent) against the US dollar. In response, the South Korean government has announced plans for a US$20 billion stimulus package to boost the domestic economy.
LAFIA 2009 will assess the capacity of the South Korean economy to withstand and survive the global economic downturn. You will explore the critical issue of relations with North Korea, the long term outlook for reunification, South Korea’s relations with China, and its strategic relations with Japan and the United States.
Introductory Strategic Dialogue
The Introductory Strategic Dialogue (ISD) is an intensive two day briefing of Australia’s engagement with Asia designed to prepare you for your study tour.
You will hear a diverse range of views focusing on the cultural, social, economic and political perspectives of Asia including key historical events as well as current and topical issues.
The ISD is conducted by the Australian National University’s Crawford School of Economics and Government.
The key to the success of the ISD is the quality of presentations from high profile professionals with long experience in engagement with the Asia region.
Over the two days you will hear from and interact with:
- leading ANU academics
- senior leaders from various Australian Public Service agencies
- Diplomatic representatives from China and South Korea
- representatives from private sector corporations discussing the strategic context of business building in Asia.
Discussion topics for LAFIA Asia 2009 ISD include:
- history, politics and culture in Asia
- economic growth, prospects, challenges and opportunities
- governance, stability, security and implications for Australia
- the role of strategic alliances – Australia’s place
- promoting Australia’s future integration into Asia
- Asia’s future directions and Australia’s future interests
- globalisation – pressures and opportunities
Study tour highlights
- roundtables with Australian, international and Asian business leaders discussing business, finance and international trade
- formal cocktail receptions, dinners and informal discussions hosted by Australian diplomatic representatives in China and South Korea
- high level briefings by Australian diplomatic staff on Asian economic, political, trade and security priorities
- intensive discussions with Asian regional public sector counterparts
- stimulating forums with key Asian non-government organisations and community leaders
- roundtable discussions with key government leaders and policy advisers on China and South Korea’s bilateral and regional strategic policy agenda
- informative sessions with senior Asian journalists and independent policy institute representatives
- meetings with elite academic representatives
- insightful briefing sessions with LAFIA’s senior academic facilitator, ANU Emeritus Professor Peter Drysdale, who led the intellectual work resulting in the creation of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Forum and the Pacific Economic Co-operation Council (PECC) and who is the founder and chief editor of the East Asia Forum and head of the influential East Asian Bureau of Economic Research (EABER).
- fully escorted visits to a range of historical, cultural and social attractions
- streamed visits and meetings tailored to your specific areas of interest
- structured free time to refresh, reinvigorate and regroup
Reporting and evaluation session
The reporting and evaluation session is the opportunity to reflect and share your experiences and those of SES colleagues about LAFIA Asia 2009.
Specifically the session is an assessment of the personal and professional outcomes of LAFIA Asia 2009 through its stated aims of:
- improving your understanding of Australia’s role in Asia
- enhancing your commitment to your agency and the role of the Australian and New Zealand public sector
- positively re-assessing your leadership functions, responsibilities and outcomes
The reporting and evaluation session will be in Canberra on 30 July 2009.
The session will be followed by a celebratory LAFIA Alumni dinner.
Cancellation
Any cancellations from the programme must be advised in writing. Written cancellations received within 30 days of the commencement of the programme on 7 May 2009 will be entitled to a full refund. Cancellations received after this date will incur full charges. Substitute participants of the appropriate level will be accepted up to 6 May 2009.
Further information
Closing date for application — Monday, 27 April 2009 Complete and return the LAFIA Asia 2009 registration form by facsimile to: 02 6202 3799.
For further information, please contact Theresa Graham (Australian Public Service Commission) on 02 6202 3767, or email theresa.graham@apsc.gov.au.
