May 26, 2008: Future Directions International CEO Craig Lawrence AM and Research Manager Andrew Pickford attended a special closed-door briefing with Ehud Yaari, an experienced and well connected Middle-East reporter and analyst, which was organised by the Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council. The briefing session included Western Australian politicians from both sides of politics, business leaders and members of the Jewish Community. The discussion was wide ranging and covered a number of topics including the expanding influence of Iran and prospects for the region when a new US President is sworn in. The increasing price of oil and competition for energy, and extraction and refining technologies, also formed part of the conversation.

FDI Hosts Former US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs

April 28, 2008: Future Directions International hosted Mr James Kelly, former US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, for an informal briefing on developments in the Asia-Pacific region. Mr Kelly outlined the challenges facing the US in East Asia, and described the international impact of deteriorating economic conditions and rising protectionism. It was noted that an upcoming vote in the US Congress, for a US-Korea trade deal, in 2009, could test a new President, as well as Congress, in their attitudes toward free trade. Issues surrounding energy were also discussed, in particular, the US’ reliance on energy imports from the Gulf of Guinea region of West Africa. In the Australian context, uranium mining and the international trend towards nuclear energy in places such as India and China, was covered. Mr Kelly observed that, over the long-term, US-Indian relations would improve as the Indian community, within the US, mobilises and lobbies their elected representatives. Within policy circles, and industry forums, Mr Kelly noted that leading US political figures have begun courting the Indian community because of their emerging electoral importance. This trend is set to continue and influence the ultimate outcome of the US-India nuclear deal.

FDI Research Manager Attends a Briefing With Former Indian Ambassador

March 28, 2008: Future Directions International Research Manager Andrew Pickford attended a public lecture by Ambassador Lalit Mansingh titled “The Rise of India and the Implications for Regional Stability”. Mr Mansingh previously served as India’s Foreign Secretary, Ambassador to the United States and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. In a wide ranging foreign policy speech, Mr Mansingh talked about India’s growing energy needs, India’s improving relationship with the US and the emerging India-Australia relationship. While the new Australian Rudd-led Labor Government has made it clear that Australia will not supply uranium to India, unless it signs the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Mr Mansingh noted that: “Australia’s thinking on the NPT is 10 years out of date”. Mr Mansingh also outlined India’s rapidly increasing base-load power requirements and the reality that, even with substantial uptake of renewable forms of energy, such as wind and solar, India would turn to nuclear power for much of its new generation capacity. Reflecting on the potential for quadrilateral arrangements between the US, Japan, Australia and India, an issue which is not being pursued by the Rudd Government, Mr Mansingh noted that the quadrilateral arrangement is no longer a “functional concept”; however, he saw potential for greater naval co-operation and interoperability, between the four nations, based on the initial response to the December 26, 2004, Boxing Day tsunami.   

FDI CEO Attends Climate Change Forum at Government House

March 27, 2008: Future Directions International (FDI) CEO & Executive Director, Craig Lawrence AM, attended the (West Australian) Governor’s Science Forum. At the event, hosted by the Governor of Western Australia, His Excellency Dr Ken Michael AC, around 41 of Western Australia’s leading scientists and policymakers discussed the implications of climate change. Included in the attendees was the Chief Scientist of Western Australia, Professor Lyn Beazley and FDI Research Committee member, Professor Greg Ivey.

Promotion of Australia 2050: Sydney

February 12, 2008: As part of the promotion of Australia 2050, Future Directions International (FDI) Director and Research Committee Chairman, Gregory Copley AM, spoke to a senior group of foreign policy experts and corporate leaders at an event hosted by the Lowy Institute for International Policy. Mr Craig Lawrence AM, FDI CEO & Executive Director, was also at the event. The presentation generated a great deal of debate and discussion.

Promotion of Australia 2050: Canberra

February 11, 2008: Future Directions International (FDI) Director and Research Committee Chairman, Gregory Copley AM, made a special, unclassified presentation on Australia 2050 to the Australian Army at Russell Offices, Department of Defence, Canberra. This presentation drew upon the core findings of Australia 2050, however, it focused on implications for defence strategy, procurement and power projection in a more unstable and fast changing environment.

Promotion of Australia 2050: Melbourne

February 7, 2008: As part of the promotion of Australia 2050, Future Directions International (FDI) Director and Research Committee Chairman, Gregory Copley AM, spoke to an eminent group business leaders about the key findings of the Study. Ernst & Young, on behalf of the Global Foundation, hosted the event. Mr Craig Lawrence AM, FDI CEO & Executive Director, and Barry Cusack, FDI Director, also attend the event.  

Promotion of Australia 2050: Perth

February 5, 2008: As part of the promotion of Australia 2050, Future Directions International (FDI) Director and Research Committee Chairman, Gregory Copley AM, spoke to a senior group of West Australian academic, business and community leaders about the Study and its implications for Western Australia at the UWA Club at the University of Western Australia. Professor Alan Robson AM, Vice Chancellor of the University of Western Australia (UWA), and also a FDI Director, hosted the event. A number of leading academics were in the audience, including UWA Professorial Fellow Kim Beazley.

FDI Hosts Special Envoy to the Prime Minister of India for Roundtable Discussion

January 15, 2008: Future Directions International (FDI) hosted Mr Shyam Saran, Special Envoy to the Prime Minister of India and Her Excellency Mrs Sujatha Singh, Indian High Commissioner to Australia, for a roundtable discussion on a number of important strategic issues and the growing relationship between Australia and India. Mr Shyam worked at the highest levels of Indian government and was Foreign Secretary of India until 2007, when he was appointed to his current position. The roundtable event was attended by a number of Perth business executives, academics and strategic thinkers, as well as representatives from important energy and minerals industries.