Conferences in previous years have included prominent and distinguished policymakers, academics, diplomats and politicians including Peter Drysdale, Michael Wesley, Zhao Jianfei, Stephen Howes, The Honourable Gareth Evans AO QC, Admiral Chris Barrie AC, The Right Honourable Malcolm Fraser AC CH GCL PC and The Honourable Bob Hawke AC GCL.
Photo by Ben Guerin on Unsplash
Primary Landing Page
Asia Pacific Week 2014 will be the fourth conference of its kind hosted by The Australian National University and will explore the theme of ‘Globalis-Asian’. The world is changing at a remarkable speed. The next few decades are likely to emerge with Asia-Pacific economies dominating the global sphere. It will be the first times that the dominant part of the world will not be from the West and from vastly different civilisational roots.
There is a common assumption in the West that as countries modernise, they also westernise. This is an illusion. It premises that modernity is simply a product of competition, markets and technology. Modernisation is equally shaped by history and culture.
Civilisations and cultures, which have largely been ignored in the study of the region's rise, will demand stronger representation in this world. We must welcome this transformation, and we will have to learn to understand diversity and culture in order to understand the future.
Asia Pacific Week combines the strength of The Australian National University's expertise in the study of Asia and the Pacific and the resources available in the nation’s capital. The program is sure to engage and intellectually stimulate students and challenge the way delegates perceive the Asia-Pacific region.
The conference will bring together 100 student delegates from around the world to discuss the significant and controversial issues facing the Asia Pacific region in the 21st Century.
As a delegate you will have the opportunity to hear from a myriad of academics and diplomats and engage in interactive and challenging sessions including Q&Asia and The Ambassadors Panel. You will participate in panels, presentations and debates, and go toe-to-toe with many of Australia’s brightest strategic minds.
The conference will also present delegates with opportunities to exchange and socialise among themselves, providing the next generation of Asia Pacific specialists a network of contacts and friends across the globe.
Is blood thicker than paper?
Economic integration and development in Asia and the Pacific is accelerating rapidly as the global economy increasingly relies on Asia-Pacific states for manufacturing and consumption. However, political tension in Northeast Asia is threatening progress with territorial disputes and ‘comfort women’ issues halting diplomatic progress between countries. To what extent are countries willing to negotiate and overcome political divergences for the sake of economic benefits? How does the nexus of international politics and economics explain this seemingly paradoxical tension within East Asian political economy? What are its implications for the greater Asia-Pacific region?
One size fits all
The various ways in which Asia-Pacific states govern themselves gives way to the question of whether certain means of leadership are more "efficient" than others. Are "Asian values” only applicable to certain parts of the continent (e.g. North and Southeast Asia)? Can there be an "Asian" models of governance and development based on democracy, dictatorship or monarchy? Or is one way inherently better than others? This panel will examine the different styles of governance and development in the Asia-Pacific region with the hope of discovering if one size really does fit all.
Genderless Asia
Gender in Asia is a contested issue with multiple perspectives and phenomena to consider. While the concept of "male" and "female" is often thought to be black and white, for many cultures in the Asia-Pacific the boundaries are often not as clear. Are there distinctive male and female roles in Asia-Pacific societies or are the lines blurred?
Tackling climate change in the Asia-Pacific
The climate is changing, and many Asia-Pacific countries are considering how to best balance economics growth and environmental sustainability. There are two approaches when it comes to climate change: mitigation (reducing the extent of climate change) and adaption (limiting any negative impacts of climate change). This panel will explore these approaches and discuss specific actions that countries in the Asia-Pacific should take.
Counterfactuals: Religion
The influence of religion on Asia-Pacific societies is vast and permeates various facets of everyday life. For example, Indonesia is the largest Islam country in terms of population, while the legacy of Christian missionaries in Northeast Asia remains stronger than ever. However, if religious history were to take different courses and forms, would these countries still have the same customs and socio-political issues as they do today?
Decoding Asia
George Orwell once said, "If thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought." While Orwell wrote this more than 50 years ago, today this still rings true, no more so than in the Asia-Pacific. This panel will look at how language can reflect state ideology and obfuscate and distort the truth, often in the hope of obtaining political goals or expanding one's control over society. This panel will also examine the language policies of governments across the region and discuss what impacts these polices have upon the population and for their own state apparatus.
The American Asian century
As countries across the Asia-Pacific continue their rise, people within these countries are starting to enjoy living standards on par with the West. As the economies of countries in Asia and the Pacific continue to rise, these governments are seeking to play a more prominent role in international politics and organisations. Is the 21st century going to be the Asia Pacific century, like the 20th was the “American” century? Or in today’s globalised society is the world now big enough to handle more than one power?
Is Asia and the Pacific big enough?
As countries across the Asia-Pacific region develop at an increasing rate, their increased influence has given them improved confidence to assert themselves over historical territorial claims. This is often done to restore past glory, right previous wrongs or for resource or territorial benefits. What does this mean for security and stability in the region? How should these competing claims be managed and what role should outside powers play in this? This panel will examine the causes and consequences of competing claims and overlapping interests.
From the "Noble Savage" to Psy
Portrayals of Asia-Pacific civilisations by the “Other” – in this instance, European and North Americans – in the past have depicted them as backwards, uncultured beings. Consequently socio-cultural ‘modernisation’ processes have been largely moulded by the “West” in the 19th and 20th Centuries, with the “Rest” following in their footsteps. However, with the rise of Asia-Pacific cultural items such as food, music, movies and literature, it now seems the Asia-Pacific region is starting to exert its influence on the rest of the world. Given the increased interest towards Japanese culture during the 1990s, can other Asia Pacific states achieve a similar level of cultural proliferation?
Ambassadors Panel
Did you know that the compass was invented in China during the Han Dynasty? Always a highlight of Asia Pacific Week, the 2014 Ambassadors' Panel will bring together Ambassadors and High Commissioners from various Asia-Pacific nations to discuss the best contributions their countries have made to world history.
The Pitch
This brand new panel for 2014 will give delegate groups the opportunity to "sell" a seemingly unsellable idea through the use of both rational and "creative" reasoning. The Pitch is based on a television segment of the same name which forms part of an Australian program called The Gruen Transfer.
The Great Debate
The Great Debate will unite some of the Australian National University's most esteemed academics with Asia Pacific Week's wittiest delegates to debate over whether an "Asia-Pacific Union" is a foreseeable reality. For many years there was an increasingly popular view that countries in the Asia Pacific region might merge together in the future to consolidate their strength against world superpowers, such as the United States. However, the various predicaments of the European Union have led to the loss of faith in this expectation during recent times. Is an Asia-Pacific Union still possible, irrespective of the troubles Europe has experienced?
Wargames
Admiral Chris Barrie AC and colleagues will reintroduce Wargames, to the Asia Pacific Week 2014 calendar this year. Often regarded as one of the most intuitive and thought-provoking events at Asia Pacific Week, Wargames places delegates in the console of a real-life conflict situation. The expert direction and experience of the retired Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral Chris Barrie AC, will guide participants through the key challenges and discussions made when conflict is at hand. The Wargames event is open to delegates of Asia Pacific Week 2014. The event will be from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on the 23rd of June.
Q & Asia
Q and Asia is an open discussion for delegates and the public to gain insight pertaining to the growing Asia-Pacific. During this session the audience is invited to ask questions and, in line with the theme of 'GlobalisAsian', this years Q and Asia will discuss power in the context of the growing states in the Asia-Pacific. The past century has seen a shift from the military-centric hard power to the seemingly pragmatic virtues of soft power. What consequences does this shift pose to the Asia-Pacific? How does it affect its relationship with the rest of the world? What changes does this bring to state-to-state relations? The panel hopes to demystify these questions and offer some insight into the future of the Asia-Pacific. The Asia Pacific Week 2014 at the Australian National University presents this public forum on the 24th of June 2014 at 1:30 pm. The forum will be held in the 'China in the World' theatre.
Conference travel and accommodation details
Arrival and departure travel arrangements
Delegates are advised to book their arrival and departure details as following:
Arrival: Sunday 23rd June 2014
Departure: Friday 27th June 2014
Arrival
For those arriving by plane, it is preferable to arrive in Sydney airport in the early morning or mid afternoon. This will give you sufficient time to travel to Canberra after your arrival in Sydney.
Most international airlines do not fly into Canberra airport. International delegates arriving at Sydney airport will need to make further arrangements to travel to Canberra.
Buses:
It is recommended that delegates take the bus from Sydney to Canberra. The bus is inexpensive (roughly $25), and the Canberra bus terminal (Jolimont Centre) is extremely close to ANU. Delegates will be able to enjoy the 5-10min walk or catch a shuttle bus to the ANU Campus.
The bus services available are: Murrays or Greyhound
- The bus terminals for Murrays and Greyhound are a short stroll from the Sydney airport international arrival gate (near the pick-up zone).
- It is recommended that delegates using bus services should book tickets early as they are commonly sold out.
- If delegates choose to use the bus to commute back to Sydney for their departure flight, a return bus ticket can be purchased.
We will have Asia Pacific Week 2014 representatives waiting at Jolimont Bus Centre, Canberra, to meet and assist arriving delegates between the times: 10.00hrs – 17.00hrs on Sunday 23rd June 2014.
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Planes:
For delegates considering taking a domestic flight from Sydney to Canberra, the available airlines are Virgin Blue, Jet Star and Qantas. There is a taxi stand outside the arrivals gate where delegates are able to catch taxis to Bruce Hall, ANU.
Note: If you are an international delegate arriving at the international arrivals gate in Sydney, you will need to catch an airport shuttle bus to the domestic terminal where you can catch your flight to Canberra. A fee is required to catch the airport shuttle bus.
Departure: Friday June 27th 2014
After breakfast at the Bruce Dining Hall, shuttle buses will depart from Bruce Hall to the Jolimont Centre and Canberra Airport every half hour from 07.30hrs - 09.30hrs. Remaining delegates must check out from Bruce Hall by 10.00. These delegates will need to organise their own transportation.
As described above, delegates can travel to Sydney via bus or plane. Please ensure you purchase your ticket in advance.
Buses:
Canberra to Sydney international airport buses will stop at the international arrivals gate.
Planes:
If you plan to catch a connecting flight overseas, do not forget to use the airport shuttle bus to travel from the domestic terminal to the international terminal.
Please inform Asia Pacific Week know of your specific travel plans to Canberra when receiving and replying your pre-departure packs.
Visas
International delegates:
Please check whether you require a visa to enter Australia. If so, please acquire the Visitor Tourist Visa for the minimum length of stay (three months).
Accommodation at Bruce Hall
Delegate accommodation for the duration of Asia Pacific Week will be at Bruce Hall. All inquiries regarding accommodation should be directed to Asia Pacific Week at asiapacificweek@anu.edu.au rather than Bruce Hall. Please note that accommodation is only provided for the conference dates of June 23 2014 – June 27 2014. If delegates choose to arrive earlier or depart later than these dates, they will need to organise their own accommodation during their time in Canberra.
Check in time: 14.00hrs, Sunday 23rd June
Check out time: 10.00hrs, Friday 27th June (no late checkout requests allowed)
Meals: 07.00hrs-08.30hrs Monday – Friday (Hot and Cold Breakfast will be served in the Bruce Hall Dining Hall cafeteria style). All other meals to be provided by Asia Pacific Week.
Rooms: One delegate per room. Each room has a king single bed, wardrobe and study desk (Delegates will need to make up their bed). All rooms are also equipped with central heating. A mirror and sink is also in each room, and unisex bathroom and shower facilities are located on each floor.
Bruce Hall will provide the following:
- 2 sheets
- Pillowcase
- Pillow protector
- Pillow
- Mattress protector
- Doona/quilt
- 1 Towel
- Sink, glass and hand soap (Note: tap water in Australia is safe to drink)
Whether or not you have experienced dorm life, we guarantee that your stay at Bruce Hall will be one that is enjoyable and fun!
If you have any queries about living at Bruce Hall, feel free to contact any member of the Delegates Portfolio.
Enjoy your stay!
What to bring
Delegates are required to bring the following, as Bruce Hall will not provide these
- Toiletries (shampoo, body wash/soap, toothbrush, toothpaste)
- Laundry powder (if you choose to wash your clothes)
- Ethernet cable (if you want internet access in your room)
- Own laptop or tablet
- Adapter (to use the Australian power points)
- Warm winter clothes: During winter Canberra is known for being extremely cold and windy. Bruce Hall is able to provide you with a few extra blankets but please bring warm sleepwear. Beanies, scarves and gloves to wear outside is also recommended. Ensure you also bring adequate warm clothing and formalwear for the Gala Dinner.
Personal budget for discretionary spending
While the conference, accommodation and the majority of the meals are covered by the APW Committee, it is suggested that delegates budget conservatively to cover costs which are not covered by the conference.
Outside costs which are not covered by APW could include the following:
- Additional meals, snacks, drinks, alcohol not provided
- Sightseeing and museums
- Souvenirs/shopping
- Personal travel
- Transportation and accommodation outside of the conference dates.
Medical issues (including food allergies etc.)
Any medical issues, or food allergies should be made known in the medical form found in the acceptance pack. Any food allergies will be made known to the caterers at Bruce Hall to ensure food safety.
For emergencies, there will be a committee member on call for any after-hours emergencies (only). Contact details will be provided upon arrival. Additionally, there will be an APW committee member liaising with the on duty Bruce Hall Senior Resident.
Please send any inquiries to asiapacificweek@anu.edu.au
Travel and Medical insurance
We highly recommend delegates purchase medical and travel insurance before travelling to Australia. Neither the APW Committee nor the ANU will pay for medical treatment required by international delegates. If you do not purchase medical/travel insurance, ANU and the APW Committee will not be liable for any cost or injury you incur during APW or any associated activities.
Other travel information
As noted before, the recommended mode of transport from Sydney to Canberra is the bus service Murrays or Greyhound.
If you do not wish to take the 10min walk to Bruce Hall from the Jolimont Bus Centre, please coordinate your arrival time with the shuttle buses coming from Canberra Airport and inform the Asia Pacific Week Committee in advance.
We do not recommend catching a train to Canberra as costs and arrival times are unpredictable, and transport from the station to ANU is difficult.
Driving to Canberra
Parking at ANU is extremely strict. Carparks and car spaces themselves are limited and require permits. For residential carparks, drivers are required to have a specific residential hall or college permit and for general university carparks, a student-parking permit is mandatory.
Asia Pacific Week cannot provide these permits to you free of charge.
Parking rules at ANU are also covered under strict legislation. If you receive a fine and fail to pay it, your fine will be referred to the ACT Magistrates Court and you could receive a criminal conviction. You are at your own risk if you park at the ANU without a valid parking permit. If you seek a temporary ANU parking permit, please refer to the ANU Parking & Transport.
If you are a delegate from the Canberra region, we advise that you get dropped off and picked up, or catch public transport, a taxi or ride a bike to the ANU Campus.
Additional details – accommodation
Laundry
Bruce Hall does provide laundry facilities which are free for delegates to use. However, laundry powder is not supplied and delegates will need to bring or purchase their own.
Internet
ANU Wi-fi is provided (logon details will be provided upon arrival at Bruce Hall), but this is mostly available in the common rooms. For internet in the delegates’ own personal rooms, they will need to bring their own Ethernet cable. Bruce Hall also has computer labs where are a number of PCs are available of use. However, it is preferable that delegates bring their own laptops and Ethernet cables to use.
Desmond Narain Doulatram
ANU’s Asia Pacific Week 2022 was a wonderful interdisciplinary event rich in academic discussions where learners, observers, lecturers, and culture practitioners weaved together the existing reality of the Asia Pacific region through the art of story-telling. As a lecturer at the College of the Marshall Islands teaching Pacific Studies and Micronesian Studies and as a PhD Candidate in Pacific Studies at the University of the South Pacific, I felt that this Conference was a nice opportunity to build my own understanding of the dynamics of the Asia Pacific region while opening up to new stances of interpreting the need for historical justice by practising greater cross-cultural empathy. I had the opportunity to observe this first-hand through Asia Pacific Week where I got to see this in action with young delegates, young professionals, and young academics displaying greater cross-cultural empathy making me more optimistic about our collective future.
Akash MehtaAPW 2015 proved out be an immensely irreplaceable experience for me. First, I got to know so many people from around the world, about their diverse views on Asia and the Pacific regions and their experience so far. Secondly, I got an opportunity to meet not only the highly knowledgeable PHD scholars but also the government officials, professors and last but not the least, the conference organisers did a commendable job in packing up the sessions with knowledge and information and at the same time sparking the debate in and outside of the sessions. One of my favourite moments of the conference was "The Great Debate" which showcased three of our fellow delegates in an oxford style debate against ANU's finest academics on the topic ' Is local pop culture more influential than western popular culture in the Asia and Pacific regions'.
I think ANU is the best place where one can interact with notable scholars and wonderful students from all around the world.
Brianna Ruth Audrey
When I first saw ANU Asia Pacific Week 2020’s (ANU APW 2020) ad on YouthOp, I knew I had to sign up. My seniors once told me about their extraordinary week in Canberra, learning about Asia and Pacific regions more than they ever did during our daily classes. As I also have taken interest in the region, it became my dream to experience this event firsthand. If it weren’t for YouthOp, I would never know that ANU APW was still conducted, even amid the pandemic.
I was very happy throughout the event. I was constantly motivated to find out more about the topics discussed by the panel and delegates. I don’t think that I have ever attended a conference this lively and substantive. The committee was very wonderful, and the other delegates were very insightful and friendly.
My favourite part of the entire conference has to be the Pacific Dance Workshop. I never thought that I would ever have the chance to learn such a beautiful dance from a country so far away from Indonesia, let along learning about it online. The fact that the committee was able to execute a dance lesson perfectly online is beyond my comprehension. I was able to have so much fun with 80 other delegates from all around Asia and the Pacific regions through my screen, and that is an experience that I will never trade for anything else.
It is safe to say that ANU APW 2020 were one of my 2020 highlights. I made new friends and gained new insight. I was also able to experience things that I could probably never have gone through if the pandemic didn’t happen. So, I thank the ANU APW committee for accepting me as one of the delegates, as well as YouthOp for giving me exposure towards this wonderful event.
Ibrahim Jalal
The 2018 Asia Pacific Week (APW) was a well-organised and thought-provoking multidisciplinary program balancing between academic-policy panels and social activities, intellectual stimulation and friendship-building. In a professional manner, we unpacked contemporary issues – from international security and environment to public health and untold stories of indigenous Aussie communities – with a very competent calibre of junior researchers, professors and practitioners from across the world. It was incredible to engage in thorough discussions on my research project – ‘alliance recalibration’ of US’ allies in the Pacific – deepening personal insights from Australian, Filipino and Japanese viewpoints. We also visited the Australian parliament, had night walks and most importantly, photographed our memories (make sure you don’t miss the serenity of ANU’s lake!).
Not only were the delegates top-notch and sociable but equally the organising committee, making APW unforgettable. Having delightedly attended on an APW scholarship, in partnership with Youth Opportunities, and compared it to several programmes in Asia, Europe and the Arabian Peninsula, I happily recommend attending APW 2019 for the outstanding quality of the conference, competence of delegates, invaluable friendships and networking opportunities. Canberra won’t disappoint you as any airport immigration officer would indicate upon arrival - I promise, there is a lot to learn and earn at the Australian National University’s Asia Pacific Week!
Lewe PaulAsia Pacific Week 2013 proved an immensely valuable platform for putting my knowledge into context. Asia Pacific Week allowed me to see what is beyond one’s own specialised but also biased lens, and to challenge each other’s perspectives and appreciate a whole new view of Asia and the Pacific regions. The program offered more than the traditional panel discussion — the organising committee prepared innovative setups like a war game simulation and an ambassador’s panel, constantly shifting the delegates’ mindsets by exploring unfamiliar concepts.
Photo by Clement Souchet on Unsplash
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