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Leading Australia's Future in the Asia-Pacific (LAFIA)
In 2008, 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 2008 will focus on India, Thailand and Singapore
- LAFIA Pacific 2008 will focus on Australia's Pacific neighbours-Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands
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 240 senior executives have participated in LAFIA, now in its fifteenth year.
If you are aspiring to elite levels of leadership within the Senior Executive Service you cannot go beyond the unique experiences, challenges and substantial rewards of LAFIA.
LAFIA Asia 2008 (India, Thailand and Singapore)
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 2008.
LAFIA Asia 2008 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 2008 takes you on a personally structured study tour of these countries.
Continuing Asian economic success and the remarkable recent growth of India, Thailand and Singapore make it a compelling time to be part of LAFIA 2008.
LAFIA Asia 2008 allows you to experience contemporary whole of government challenges that face Asia initially through intensive pre-tour diplomatic and academic briefings. Then in India, Thailand and Singapore 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 2008
- 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 sector. 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 2008 Programme features
- Two day Introductory Strategic Dialogue in Canberra
22 and 23 May 2008 - Three week overseas study tour visiting India, Thailand and Singapore
6–27 July 2008 - A post study tour reporting and evaluation session in Canberra
7 August 2008
LAFIA Asia 2008 focuses on India, Thailand and Singapore.
India—As one of the most exciting emerging economies of recent years, India presents policy challenges and opportunities like no other. Economically India has prospered, driven not only by the much publicised boom with its information and communication technology sector, but also by strong general domestic investment and consumption. Now is a fascinating time to discuss policy directions first hand with government and business leaders in India – positive demographic trends of a rapid increase in well-educated English- speaking young pool of talent who work at low cost and carry the promise of strong and sustainable growth for many decades to come. Conversely, India’s outdated infrastructure, a regulatory framework that deters foreign direct investment, and the need to modernise her labour and financial markets are significant challenges for this strengthening economy and developing society.
Thailand—The Asian financial crisis badly impacted the Thai economy after decades of positive growth and made Thais wary of an export-led economy. Thailand's economy is nevertheless rapidly diversifying away from an agricultural base into small-scale industrial products and more recently Thailand has been steadily building its tourism, IT and automotive industries. Thailand has signed a Free Trade Agreement with Australia and has regained its economic impetus although further economic and structural reforms are necessary and urban/rural disparities in wealth remain evident.
LAFIA will visit the thriving economic and administrative centre of Bangkok and also visit the northern city of Chiang Mai, one of the few regional areas to benefit from government programmes aimed at stimulating regional economic growth. You will also visit rural areas to explore the disparities in economic development that underpins the steady exodus of the rural young to the country's urban tourism meccas in search of fame and fortune with many falling prey to exploitation.
Singapore—Australia has a deep and long standing bilateral relationship with Singapore, regarded as a ‘like minded’ regional country along with Japan and Korea. Singapore is an important hub for the Southeast Asian region and a key regional partner with Australia. Singapore's small population (4.4 million) and dependence on external markets and suppliers has pushed Singapore toward economic openness, free trade and free markets. This and government policies that foster economic development have been key factors in Singapore's recent strong economic performance. Singapore is host to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation secretariat. Singapore’s economy is underpinned by strong financial services and higher-end manufacturing sectors and its infrastructural assets (including broadband) are considered to be the best in the world. Discover more about Singapore’s astute management of her vast sovereign funds, her innovative policies to sustain continued economic growth and Australia’s growing partnership with this leading Southeast Asian nation as you engage in stimulating dialogue with Singapore’s key policy analysts and decision makers.
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 India, Thailand and Singapore
- representatives from private sector corporations discussing the strategic context of business building in Asia.
Discussion topics for LAFIA Asia 2008 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 India, Thailand and Singapore
- 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 India, Thailand and Singapore’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, Professor Andrew MacIntyre, a leading political scientist and analyst of regional Asia and the Director of The Crawford School of Economics and Government at The Australian National University(ANU)
- two half day workshops with internationally-renowned business expert and academic Professor Peter Williamson, Professor of International Business Management at Judge Business School, University of Cambridge (formerly Professor at INSEAD, Fontainebleau and Singapore)
- 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 2008.
Specifically the session is an assessment of the personal and professional outcomes of LAFIA Asia 2008 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 7 August 2008.
The session will be followed by a celebratory LAFIA Alumni dinner.
Fees
$27,800 (including GST)
The fee includes academic course content, a programme of meetings with high level government, business and community leaders, briefings from senior Australian and other diplomats, official receptions and in-country transport.
Travel, accommodation and allowances are additional costs to be met by sponsoring agencies.
Closing date for application—Monday, 5 May 2008
Complete and return the LAFIA Asia 2008 registration form by facsimile to: (02)6202 3799.
Cancellation
Any cancellations from the programme must be advised in writing. Written cancellations received within 30 days of the commencement of the programme on 22 May 2008 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 22 May 2008.
