Details

After the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and Australia in 2012, the Berlin-Canberra Strategic Partnership Declaration was signed, in which both countries express their wish to strengthen and deepen bilateral cooperation in a strategic partnership. A thorough understanding of each side´s perspectives and priorities will be fundamental to constructively addressing shared challenges regarding important issues such as security policy, economic relations, energy and climate change, international cooperation and education, science, research and innovation. We would like to discuss these and other topics with you during the German-Australian-Symposium 2015.

PROGRAM

9.00 h

Welcome remarks

• Dr. Gerhard Wahlers

  Deputy Secretary General and Head of Department European and International Cooperation

• H.E. Ambassador David Ritchie

  Ambassador of Australia to Germany

Distance doesn’t matter: partnership and common interests between Germany and Australia

Prof Dr. Maria Böhmer

Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, Member of German Parliament, Co-chair of the Germany-Australia Advisory Group

09.35 h

Political developments in Australia: challenges and priorities

The Hon. Alan Stockdale

Former President of the Liberal Party of Australia

Comment

Volkmar Klein

Member of German Parliament, President of the Germany-Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group

Discussion

10.30 h

Coffee Break

11.00 h

Focal points of Australia’s Foreign and Security Policy

Chair:

Dr. May-Britt Stumbaum

Director, NFG Research Group, Freie Universität Berlin

• Australia‘s International Role: new commitments and responsibilities

  Dr. Melissa H. Conley Tyler

  National Executive Director, Australian Institute of International Affairs

• Australia and the international cooperation against terrorism

  Peter Jennings

  Executive Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI)

• Australia and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement

  Nicola Gordon-Smith

  Deputy Head of Mission, the Australian Embassy and Mission to the European Union and NATO, Brussels, Belgium

• Priorities of the European Defence and Security Policy: opportunities for international cooperation

  Prof. Dr. Carlo Masala

  Professorship in International Politics, Universität der Bundeswehr München

13.00 h

Lunch

14.00 h

Issues of International Cooperation and Non-Traditional Security Policy

Chair:

Prof. Dr. Heribert Dieter

Senior Associate, Research Division Global Issues, German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)

• Germany’s concerns about new non-traditional security issues: exchange and cooperation with Australia

  Andreas Nick

  Member of German Parliament, Member of the Committee for Foreign Affairs

• Australia and China

  Dr. Benjamin Schreer

  Senior Analyst for defence strategy, ASPI

• Australia‘s Climate Policies

  Russel Marsh

  Policy Director, Clean Energy Council

• Immigration policies and its broader implications for international relations

  Dr. Rita Parker

  Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Infrastructure Protection and Homeland Security, George Mason University; former senior international relations and security policy advisor to the Australian Government

15.30 h

Coffee Break

16.00 h

Germany and Australia: perspectives for future cooperation

Chair:

Dr. Wilhelm Hofmeister

Director, Regional Programme Political Dialogue Asia, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Singapore

• Economic cooperation between Germany and Australia

  Jacqueline Taranto

  Vice-Chair, German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce

• Scientific Cooperation and the Exchange of Talents

  Prof. Dr. Aidan Byrne

  CEO, Australian Research Council

• Australian Multiculturalism

  Prof. Dr. Jacqueline Lo

  Professor and Director of the Australian National University Centre for European Studies and Associate Dean (International)

17.30 h

Closing Remarks

Dr. Beatrice Gorawantschy

Director Team Asia and the Pacific, European and International Cooperation, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

17.45 h

Reception with drinks and snacks