Football Diplomacy - Australia's engagement with Asia through Football
In January 2015 Australia will host the AFC Asian Cup. Beyond its sporting significance, this four-yearly event will be a unique opportunity for commercial, diplomatic and cultural engagement between Australia and key countries in Asia.
To discuss these opportunities the Lowy Institute, the Local Organising Committee of AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 and Football Federation Australia will hold a one-day conference to leverage the unique engagement and networking opportunities that this major Asian sporting event will provide. Bringing together senior political, business, sporting and community figures, the conference will be structured around four interactive sessions on business and investment; tourism; diplomatic relations; and people-to-people contacts.
The one-day conference is a continuation of the Institute's earlier work on Football Diplomacy from 2004/5, in which West Asia Program Director Anthony Bubalo produced a policy brief examining how Australia can best use this new sporting relationship with Asia to enhance its regional image and engagement. More recently the Football Federation of Australia made a submission to the 'Australia in the Asian Century' White Paper that outlined the role football has played in building links to Asia since Australia’s admission into the Asian Football Confederation. The final White Paper, on page 269, included a specific reference to Football Diplomacy
PROGRAM:
9.00am-10.00am AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 - Introduction
Session theme: Asian Cup 2015: what is it, when is it, and who will be coming?
Chair Dr Michael Fullilove, Executive Director, Lowy Institute
Speakers Mr Frank Lowy AC, Chairman Football Australia and Lowy Institute for International Policy
Keynote: the Hon. Craig Emerson MP, Minister for Trade
Michael Brown, CEO AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 LOC
10.00am-11.15am Trade and Investment
Session theme: How can we use the Asian Cup to promote Australia’s trade and investment ties with Asia? What needs to happen? Who will take responsibility?
Chair Anthony Bubalo, Research Director, Lowy Institute for International Policy
Speakers Christopher Fong, Deputy Chairman, Brisbane Roar Football Club and Senior Vice President, Bakrie Group, John Lord AM, Chairman, Huawei Technologies (Australia) Pty Ltd, Ashley White, Chair, Business Club Australia, Austrade
11.30am-12.45pm Tourism
Session theme: How can we use the Asian Cup to promote Australia as a Tourism destination? What needs to happen? Who will take responsibility?
Chair Geoff Dixon, Chairman, Tourism Australia
Speakers Bruce Baird AM, Chairman, Tourism and Transport Forum, Sandra Chipchase, CEO, Destination NSW, Ann Sherry AO, Chief Executive Officer, Carnival Australia.
1.45pm-3.00pm Diplomatic relations
Session theme: How can we use the Asian Cup to support Australia’s diplomatic interests in the region? What needs to happen? Who takes responsibility?
Chair Geraldine Doogue AO, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Speakers Justin Brown, First Assistant Secretary, Consular, Public Diplomacy and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, John McCarthy AO, Chairman Australia-India Council, Les Luck, former senior Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Official
3.15pm-4.30pm Social and community engagement
Session theme: How can we use the Asian Cup to strengthen social and community links with Asia? What needs to happen? Who takes responsibility?
Chair Craig Foster, SBS television
Speakers Peter Danks, the Big Issue, Moya Dodd, Vice President, Asian Football Confederation, Assmah Helal, Football United
The event is invitation only, however you are welcome to register your interest to attend with Kate Weston (kweston@lowyinstitute.org). Please indicate in your email which sessions you would like to attend.
For further information please download the Football Diplomacy Information Sheet (in left hand column)
