In his recent book, "Asian Century … on a Knife-edge," John West questions the conventional wisdom that the 21st century will belong to Asia. He argues that in recent years many observers have succumbed to a case of “Asian-Century hype.” In reality, Asia is suffering from stunted economic and social development. John identifies seven economic, social, political and geopolitical challenges for realising an Asian Century, but doubts that Asia’s leading economies have the political will to tackle these challenges. Further, he identifies numerous possible sources of economic, social, and political crisis.
Nevertheless, the Indo-Pacific of the 21st century is becoming increasingly dominated by Asia’s emerging giants - China, India and Indonesia - which have some of the world's largest economies. John argues that these countries are fragile superpowers whose power derives mainly from their enormous populations. Even by mid-century, they will still be well behind advanced countries like the US, Japan and Germany in terms of economic, business, and technological sophistication. But this has not stopped the rise of strategic competition between an increasingly distracted US and a growingly assertive China, despite the latter's domestic fragilities. Countries like Australia face great challenges in adapting to this new strategic environment.
Prof Tsutomu Kikuchi - Regional Institution Building in the Asia-Pacific: A Japanese View
Rowan Callick - Refugees: The International Dimension
An address by His Excellency James A. Michel - President of the Republic of Seychelles
China’s Grand Strategy – Past, Present, and Future - Professor Gilbert Rozman, Princeton University
Australia’s Struggle for Security - Mr Cameron Stewart, Associate Editor, ‘The Australian’
From the Heart of West Africa - HE Mr Ian McConville, Australian High Commissioner in Nigeria
ACCESS Annual Debate - Aid vs. Trade. Tuesday 19th July
Can the European Union Survive? Dr Stefan Auer, La Trobe University, Thursday 14 July, 2011
Time to Get Serious About India, Dr Pradeep Taneja, Thursday 7 July, 2011
Inside Latin America Today, H.E. Ms Virginia Greville.
Professor Geoffrey Lawrence - Food Security: Global Realities
Alex Bellamy - Getting Away with Mass Murder: A Guide for Despots
Asia’s Rise: What it Means for Australia, Mr John McCarthy, AO,
Defending Australia: Getting it Right? Mr Neil James Tuesday 19 April, 2011
Poland Today: Challenges and Opportunities H.E. Mr Andrzej Jaroszynski, Ambassador for Poland,
Asia’s Rise: What it Means for Australia Mr John McCarthy, AO, Wednesday 11 May, 2011
Europe’s Energy Crisis: is Eurasia the Answer? - Dr Luca Anceschi
Saving the US from Itself - Dr Paul Monk
Kevin Rudd’s World – Mr Daniel Flitton
The Middle East: Where to Now? - Dr Michael Rubin
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