Asialink Conversations_draft
The Asialink Conversations are a leading Track II dialogue. They bring together influential participants from across the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and from Australia to help solve political, social and economic issues of common concern. An informed dialogue, held outside government, the Conversations contribute to ASEAN-Australia future planning in a changing global landscape.
The Asialink Conversations are an initiative of Asialink, and are sponsored by the University of Melbourne and the 2009 Myer Commemorative Grants Program.
The Asialink Conversations are an initiative of Asialink, and are sponsored by the University of Melbourne and the 2009 Myer Commemorative Grants Program.
2-4 February 2012, Yangon, MyanmarThe 2012 Conversations were held in Yangon, Myanmar from 2nd - 4th February 2012. Standby for reporting on the outcomes of the Dialogue. More than 40 delegates from 12 countries attended. Visiting nations are Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Delegates came from a range of different sectors, including business, government, academia and the media. “The Conversations are designed to facilitate a relaxed and very frank exchange of ideas,” says Asialink International Director Professor Tony Milner. Read full media release |
Media Coverage
| 8 March, 2012 |
Burma and the road to normality, Nicholas Farrelly, The Canberra Times and Inside Story. |
| 16 February, 2012 |
Commentary: Drip, drip, democracy – Myanmar’s revolution from above, Meidyatama Suryodiningrat, The Jakarta Post. Mr Meidyatama visited Myanmar as a guest of Asialink, as part of The Conversations. |
| 11 February, 2012 |
Tractors may have replaced horses, but country is still decades behind, Hamish McDonald, Sydney Morning Herald. Mr McDonald visited Myanmar as a guest of Asialink, as part of The Conversations. |
| 10 February, 2012 |
Myanmar edges out of the shadows, Liberal MP Josh Frydenberg, The Age opinion article. Comments following Frydenberg's attendance of the Asialink Conversations. |
| 8 February, 2012 |
Suu Kyi campaign leaves Burmese leaders on edge, Hamish McDonald, Brisbane Times. Mr McDonald visited Myanmar as a guest of Asialink, as part of The Conversations. |
| 8 February, 2012 |
Progress of reform in Burma, Liberal MP Josh Frydenberg talks to ABC Radio National Breakfast about his recent visit to Myanmar, as part of the Asialink Conversations. |
| 7 February, 2012 |
Regional 'conversation' pursues second track diplomacy in Burma, Radio Australia's Connect Asia program. Asialink International Director Professor Tony Milner discusses the Asialink Conversations in Yangon, Myanmar. |
| 6 February, 2012 |
ASEAN business leaders head for Rangoon, Shwe Aung, Democratic Voice of Burma |
| 6 February, 2012 |
US scrambles back into Burma in a race for influence, Hamish McDonald, Sydney Morning Herald. Mr McDonald visited Myanmar as a guest of Asialink, as part of The Conversations. |
| 5 February, 2012 |
Australians in Burma for business talks, ABC News. Featuring remarks from Asialink CEO Jenny McGregor. |
| 4 February, 2012 |
ASEAN-Australia Asialink Conversations held, New Light of Myanmar |
| 3 February, 2012 |
ABC News 24 'The World' live interview with Asialink Conversations delegate U Ko Ko Hlaing, Chief Adviser to the President. He spoke to Australia via Skype. |
3-5 September 2010, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Full Report [pdf, 1.9mb, 15 pages] | Media coverage | Media Release | Photo GalleryIn 2010, the Conversations were held in Phnom Penh for the first time, and were officially opened by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.
They were hosted in partnership with the Cambodian Development Resource Institute, an independent Cambodian development policy research institute, 3-5 September 2010.
Program and Participants
In 2010, Asialink would like to thank corporate sponsors, Singapore Airlines and the ANZ Royal Bank Ltd in Cambodia.
Overview
Asialink and the University of Melbourne are at the forefront of what has become a 21st Century phenomenon in international relations – “Track II” diplomacy.“Track II” or “Track 2” is an informal kind of diplomacy which, in its relatively short existence, has been credited with major breakthroughs in international and ethnic conflicts around the world. Track II interventions allow non-official but influential members of societies to interact and work towards solutions to difficult problems. Sometimes termed a “public peace” process, the dialogues usually involve parliamentarians, opinion leaders from across sectors, activists of political movements, journalists, members of think tanks, and academics debating issues in a relaxed non-official setting.
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The Conversations were developed by Asialink, under the leadership of Professor Tony Milner, University of Melbourne Professorial Fellow and Asialink International Director, and Jenny McGregor, Group CEO of Asialink. The Conversations have previously been held in Melbourne, Australia (2002), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2004), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (2006), Sydney, Australia (2007) and New Delhi, India (2008). |
Reports of Proceedings from previous Conversations:
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| 2008 Asialink Conversations - India [PDF, 2.1 MB, 36 pages] | |
2007 Asialink Conversations - Australia [PDF, 1.2MB, 20 pages] |
- 2006 Asialink Conversations - Vietnam [PDF, 2MB, 20 pages]
- Prime Minister John Howard’s keynote address at The Asialink Conversations Vietnam 2006 [pdf, 360 KB, 13 pages]
- 2004 Asialink Conversations - Malaysia [PDF, 1MB, 20 pages]
- 2002 Asialink Conversations - Australia [PDF, 868 kb, 20 pgs]
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