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Australia's Indo-Pacific Strategy: The Intersection of Foreign Policy and the Australia Awards

Updated: Oct 5


Australia's foreign policy objectives and the Australia Awards program intersect to shape the country's role in the Indo-Pacific. This essay will examine how these elements intertwine to advance Australia's national interests in the region.

Australia's 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper emphasizes the importance of a "secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific" and the need for strong partnerships to achieve this goal. This paper discusses several key objectives for Australian foreign policy:

  • Promoting economic prosperity: Australia seeks to foster an open, inclusive, and rules-based regional economic order that benefits all. This includes boosting Australia's own competitiveness and resilience, keeping the economy open for trade and investment, and supporting economic integration in the Indo-Pacific.

  • Enhancing regional security:  Australia recognizes that a stable and secure Indo-Pacific is crucial for its own national security and that of its partners. This includes working with partners to address traditional and non-traditional security challenges such as terrorism, transnational crime, and maritime security.

  • Strengthening bilateral and regional partnerships: Australia prioritizes deepening its relationships with key partners in the region, including the US, Japan, Indonesia, India, and the Republic of Korea. This involves active diplomacy and cooperation on a range of issues, including security, trade, investment, and development.


The Australia Awards program is a key tool for achieving these foreign policy objectives. The program provides scholarships and short courses to emerging leaders from developing countries in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, aiming to equip them with the skills and knowledge to contribute to their own countries' development. By investing in education and promoting people-to-people links, the program acts as a form of soft power, enhancing Australia's reputation and influence in the region.

The Australia Awards program intersects with Australia's foreign policy objectives in several ways:

  • Building human capital:  The program helps to build human resource capacity in partner countries, contributing to their economic and social development. This aligns with Australia's broader goal of promoting a prosperous Indo-Pacific. For instance, Australia Awards have been used to train Indonesian professionals in the food industry, strengthening the sector and contributing to economic growth.

  • Promoting cooperation and positive relations: The program fosters cooperation between Australia and partner countries by building lasting people-to-people and institutional links. Alumni of the program are expected to contribute to cooperation between Australia and their home countries, potentially leading to stronger bilateral relationships and greater regional stability. The Australia Awards Global Tracer Facility surveys consistently show that alumni value their connections with Australia and Australians.

  • Advancing soft power: The program strengthens Australia's soft power by showcasing Australian values, expertise, and perspectives to future leaders in the Indo-Pacific. Providing opportunities for individuals to study and work in Australia can foster a positive view of the country and its people, enhancing Australia's influence and goodwill in the region. The emphasis on "adaptability, resilience, and innovation" in the Australian education system further reinforces these soft power goals.


The program also faces challenges in effectively achieving its objectives. The 2021 review of the Australia Awards Papua New Guinea program found that while alumni are making positive contributions to development, challenges remain in ensuring graduates can fully utilize their skills. For instance, many nursing and teaching graduates faced delays in professional registration, hindering their ability to work in their chosen fields. This highlights the need for continued program adaptation and strong partnerships to ensure long-term impact.


In conclusion, the Australia Awards program plays a crucial role in advancing Australia's foreign policy objectives in the Indo-Pacific. By investing in education, fostering cooperation, and building people-to-people links, the program contributes to a more stable, prosperous, and interconnected region, aligning seamlessly with Australia's national interests. However, ongoing efforts are needed to overcome challenges and ensure the program's long-term effectiveness.


References

Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (2017). 2017 foreign policy white paper: An agenda for the future. https://www.fpwhitepaper.gov.au/foreign-policy-white-paper/

Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. (2021). Australia Awards global monitoring and evaluation framework 2022. https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/australia-awards-global-monitoring-and-evaluation-framework-2022.pdf

Edwards, D., & Radloff, A. (2021). Australia Awards Alumni Global Tracer Survey, 2020. Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards/australia-awards-global-tracer-facility-year-5-results

Human Development Monitoring and Evaluation Services. (2021). Review of Australia Awards Papua New Guinea: Final Report. https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/australia-awards-png-review-report.pdf

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