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Welcome to Future Directions International Homepage FDI landmark study calls for Australia to increase its strategic focus in the Indian Ocean Region FDI's latest landmark study on Australia's options in the Indian Ocean Region was launched at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia in Perth on April 2, 2009 and at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in Canberra on April 16, 2009. Such a Full Sea: Australia's Options in a Changing Indian Ocean Region highlights the strategic significance of the region is that it is home to 2.2-billion people, is a major transit region for global trade, traversed by major sea trading routes to global markets, and has a combined regional gross domestic product worth trillions of dollars. The Indian Ocean region is also the world's third largest ocean, covers one-fifth of the Earth's surface, and is the source of 40 percent of the world's offshore oil production. FDI's new study, Such a Full Sea: Australia's Options in a Changing Indian Ocean Region, provides Australia's policymakers with options for engaging in this dynamic region. "This study highlights the importance of recognising and understanding the changing dynamics in the Indian Ocean region. As the world faces a deepening recessionary cycle, Australia has a unique opportunity to take a leadership role in encouraging trade in the region, while securing its important strategic long term national interests," FDI Chairman Major General Michael Jeffery AC, AO(Mil), CVO, MC, (Retd) said. He noted that the study highlighted five principal recommendations for Australian policy: Gregory Copley AM, FDI Director and principal author, said: "The study makes a further 14 major recommendations, all of which have strategic implications for the future of Australia in the Indian Ocean region." He added: "We should not lose sight of the fact that Australia now faces a world increasingly dominated by such factors as the stability of the People's Republic of China and India, as well as by changes in Africa, Europe, North America, and elsewhere. Australia ignores its Indian Ocean frontier at its peril." Future Directions International (FDI) is a not-for-profit Approved Research Institute with Deductible Gift Recipient and Income Tax Exempt Charity status.
April 02 and 16, 2009: FDI launches its Indian Ocean Study in Perth and Canberra
Future Directions International (FDI) launched its new landmark study, Such a Full Sea: Australia's Options in a Changing Indian Ocean Region during April 2009 in Perth and Canberra.
Mr Copley noted that consideration of Australia's options needs to be within the framework of understanding that the age of globalisation is undergoing considerable strain. He said: "Australia will have to address its strategic options as nation states begin to cope with emerging nationalism. The Indian Ocean region will be of particular interest to the future security and economic viability of Australia."
The study was financed by FDI corporate sponsors and private donors. FDI routinely undertakes landmark and ongoing studies on issues vital to Australia's wellbeing. In late 2007, FDI's study, Australia 2050, was launched in the Federal Parliament building, and opened up debate - introducing terms of reference which are now part of the open and broadly-based discussion - on all of the strategic aspects relating to Australia's future.
FDI Chief Executive Craig Lawrence AM confirmed that Such a Full Sea: Australia's Options in a Changing Indian Ocean Region represented a series of valid and serious opening points in a debate which should energise the entire nation, its leaders and their policy advisors. But he reaffirmed that the study was only a starting point for debate, not a finite or prescriptive list of conclusions.
FDI worked with a national book publisher, Sid Harta Publishers, to ensure that the study was available in bookstores throughout Australia, thus ensuring wide accessibility to the Australian public.
The publication is available from Sidhatra Books and leading bookstores.
Future Directions International
FDI is a recognised and reputable research institute. It was established in 2000 by the Founding Chairman, Major General Michael Jeffery AC, AO(Mil), CVO, MC (Retd), with support of numerous prominent Australians, including Sir Charles Court, Kerry Stokes, Dr Patricia Kailis, Harold Clough and the late Sir Laurence Brodie-Hall. 
Initial funding and financial support was provided by the Western Australian State Government, Western Australian universities, private donors, and support in kind from the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, and the Department of Defence. At present FDI is almost exclusively funded by private donations.
Major General Michael Jeffery AC, AO(Mil), CVO, MC (Retd) , the immediate past Governor General of Australia, is the Patron and Chairman of FDI.
FDI’s core business includes independent, integrated research and analysis of issues important to Australia’s national and international long-term future, in addition to providing high-level strategic advisory services to selected clients.
FDI undertakes an integrated systems approach to researching and analysing issues which are shaping Australia’s future. 
Under the supervision of FDI’s Board of Directors and Research Committee we are identifying key issues which require further analysis and progressively adding them to our Research Agenda. Our priorities for research are driven by our assessment of the timing and importance of particular issues, along with resource availability.
One of FDI’s great strengths is the proven ability to manage knowledge service projects, producing strategic advice on public policy and corporate strategies. We are able to draw on our large national and international network of FDI Associates, to form multidisciplinary teams of experts, and examine complex issues.
