KAS Australia and Pacific in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | Community organisation

KAS Australia and Pacific

Locality: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Phone: +61 2 6154 9322

Address: 11/3 Sydney Ave 2600 Canberra, ACT, Australia

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25.01.2022 What is Faatuatua i Le Atua Samoa ua Tasi? And, can you pronounce it? If not, you better work on it, because it could be Samoa’s new ruling party. Read Digital Snapshot #8/21 for more information on the independent state’s general elections.

23.01.2022 APEC 2021 - KAS Australia has just released its latest Periscope Analysis Brief. The edition covers the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation currently hosted by New Zealand and analysed by its former Executive Director, Dr Alan Bollard. Find out about APEC’s current challenges, the host country’s priorities, and much more.

23.01.2022 Last night, the Regional Programme Australia and the Pacific had the privilege of hosting a virtual roundtable with the CDU’s International Secretary Bertil Wenger and political party representatives from Australia’s Liberal Party and New Zealand’s National Party. Mr Wenger’s impulse statement focused on three key issues: the recent federal party convention of the CDU and how the hurdles associated with of having to conduct it purely digitally were overcome; the new chairman... of the CDU, Armin Laschet, and what he stands for - especially with regards to the CDU’s international relations; and Germany in its ‘super election year’, with 6 regional elections and the federal election to take place on September 26. There were many parallels between the challenges outlined by Mr Wenger and those faced by the centre-right parties of Australia and New Zealand, and the event reinforced the value of coming together, even if only in virtual format at the moment, to learn from each other: international cooperation and multilateral engagement, based on shared principles and common goals, begin with dialogue. A big thank you to Mr Wenger for sharing his insights. We very much appreciate the participation and engagement of all our guests, with particular mention of the Hon Judith Collins, Leader of New Zealand’s National Party and its President Peter Goodfellow, the Liberal Party of Australia’s Federal Vice President Allan Pidgeon and Federal Director Andrew Hirst, both parties’ International Secretaries, Greg Hamilton and Bruce Edwards, as well as the Deputy Head of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung’s Main Department European and International Cooperation, Frank Priess. See more

22.01.2022 BLOCKCHAIN FOR SUSTAINABILITY - KAS Regional Programme Energy Security and Climate Change in Asia and the Pacific hosts a webinar series on blockchain for sustainability. The first seminar on blockchain in the energy sector will be held on Wednesday, 3 March 2021 from 6pm to 7pm AEDT (8am to 9am CET). For more details and to register for the event, please refer to: https://www.kas.de//opportunities-and-challenges-for-a-blu

21.01.2022 KAS Australia cordially congratulates New Zealand Aotearoa on its National Day! Check out the New Zealand Embassy in Berlin's Facebook posting on the history of Waitangi Day.

20.01.2022 KAS Australia is proud to support ASPI's new Climate and Security Policy Centre, headed by Robert Glasser. The Centre’s four main objectives are to: 1. Evaluate the impact climate change will have on security in the Indo-Pacific region, including by identifying the most likely paths through which disruptive climate events (individually, concurrently or consecutively) can cause cascading, security-relevant impacts. ... 2. Develop practical, evidence-based policy recommendations and interventions to reduce climate change risks and promote their adoption by policy makers. 3. Increase Australian and regional expertise, understanding and public awareness of the links between climate change and national security. 4. Identify the implications of these links for key stakeholders, including the Australian Defence Forces, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, other government agencies, parliamentarians, and the private sector. For more insights, please read the Centre's inaugural report on The rapidly emerging crisis on our doorstep.

20.01.2022 Only one week ago we had the honour to welcome the Hon Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Minister of Defence, Germany "to Australia" in a virtual dialogue with the Hon Linda Reynolds, Minister for Defence, Australia. The Minister is continuing her virtual journey to the region, with tomorrows event on "The Indo-Pacific: Geostrategical Challenges and Opportunities for Germany and Singapore. " hosted by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Political Dialogue Asia and RSIS. This event is public and can be followed live on Facebook - click below for more details.

19.01.2022 China’s Great Game? Regional Connectivity, Power Asymmetries and Security Integration KAS Australia and the Pacific hosted a dinner discussion on the foreign and security policy outlook for members of the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce and security experts in Canberra. Great Power politics are said to increasingly drive economic and political developments in the Indo-Pacific, with the course of the next decade to a large extent determined by how China and... the United States manage their relationship and respective power resources. Where does that leave nations like Australia and Germany? Are there strategic costs to remaining neutral or trying to chart a middle path? What role is there for diplomacy, cooperation and concerted leadership? The keynote speaker was Mr Peter Jennings, Executive Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute who outlined the defence and national security risks created by China’s strategic advances to make itself a dominant power in the Indo Pacific. Describing Australia and Germany as historically ‘reluctant powers’, he pointed to the value of greater strategic thinking. Quoting Wolfgang Ischinger’s ‘A World in Danger’, he emphasized that both countries are well-suited to take a strong stance together to ensure a free, democratic order regionally and globally. This closed-door event formed part of the German-Australian Chamber’s ‘Canberra Delegation’, an annual event where members have the opportunity to engage with key policy makers in the heart of the nation, Canberra. We warmly thank Mr Jennings for joining us to share his insights with his usual candor and pragmatic optimism. We very much appreciate the great cooperation with the AHK, a big thank you to Dr Michael Zettinig, Deputy Executive Director of the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce for his support in organizing this event and to the AHK board and members as well as our other guests. See more

18.01.2022 Are you a young scientist who is looking to create a better, more sustainable future for all? Then Apply to the Green Talents Competition 2021 by 19 May http://ow.ly/lS1250EhqIq

18.01.2022 KAS Australia and the Pacific is celebrating its 4th Anniversary as Regional Programme in Australia! We would like to thank all our partners and collaborators for the support and great partnership we have received in the past 4 years and we are looking forward to another successful year ahead.

18.01.2022 Following New Zealand's General Elections last month, Digital Snapshot #31/20 provides you with information on the official election results, the country's new government and its future opposition.

17.01.2022 Saving Journalism and Curbing Platform Power? Australia’s News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code. Read our latest Digital Snapshot #4/21 for more insights!

17.01.2022 KAS Australia and the Pacific warmly congratulates former Australian finance minister the Hon Mathias Cormann on his official nomination as the OECD’s next Secretary General. Mr Cormann has been a long-standing active supporter of the work of our regional programme here in Australia, which is reflective of his connectedness to both regions. Mr Cormann is the first OECD head from the Asia-Pacific. His election sends a strong signal for increased cooperation and sets the parameters for mutually supportive relationships between like-minded nations. Following from this foundation, we see great potential for new bridges that connect our regions even further and look forward to the unique perspectives Mr Cormann will bring to this task.

15.01.2022 His Excellency Ambassador Philip Green, Australian Ambassador to Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein presented his credentials to the German Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. KAS Australia and the Pacific would like to congratulate the Ambassador for his accredidation and wishes the very best of luck. We are looking forward to the ongoing cooperation with the Australian Embassy, Berlin.

13.01.2022 KAS Australia's Digital Snapshots are back! The first edition covers the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC 2021) hosted by New Zealand this year. For the first time in the forum's history, all meetings will be held virtually. What a challenge for the host country!

10.01.2022 The ANU Centre for European Studies is presenting their annual Schuman Lecture Series, to be delivered by the Ambassador of Germany to Australia, His Excellency Dr Thomas Fitschen. Click below for more information and ticketing!

09.01.2022 As we're ready to ring in the weekend here in Australia, we present our readers the latest edition of our digital snapshot: looking at the various perspectives around the Quad Joint Leaders Summit and how they reflect existing debates on where the grouping is - or should be headed. We hope you enjoy our digest and commentary, and send 'happy weekend' wishes from down under

08.01.2022 KAS Australia and the Pacific, in partnership with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), brought together The Honourable Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Federal Minister of Defence, Germany and Senator the Honourable Linda Reynolds CSC, Minister for Defence, Australia for a hybrid dialogue on the strategic outlook in the Indo-Pacific and the potential of AustralianGerman Defence relations. In light of the recently released German Government Policy Guidelines on the I...ndo-Pacific and the Australian Government’s Strategic Update 2020 the Ministers discussed their countries’ respective approaches to a rapidly changing strategic environment. This highlighted once more that amongst the many shared concerns about the future of the rules-based order, many opportunities for increased cooperation in the Indo-Pacific can be found. Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer reiterated Germany’s readiness to expand security and defence cooperation with those who share our values in the region, intensify our military contacts and promote dialogue on matters of security. This commitment to increased German engagement in the Indo-Pacific was warmly welcomed by the Australian side and Minister Reynolds affirmed that, especially on key issues of future security such as critical technologies and raw earths, there was no better place to start cooperation with than Germany. The discussion was moderated by ASPI’s Executive Director Peter Jennings, with KAS Australia & The Pacific Director Dr Beatrice Gorawantschy introducing the Ministers and delivering the vote of thanks.

05.01.2022 Digital Snapshot #5/21 covers the general elections held in the Federated States of Micronesia on 2 March 2021. Apart from the unofficial election result, you can read out about the strategic importance of the island state, and the resulting tug of war by 2 major players in the region. By the way, the cover image depicts the island state’s flag can you guess what the 4 stars stand for?

05.01.2022 Thank you to the Honorary Consul- Brisbane for this insightful review on 2020! KAS Australia & the Pacific is grateful for the longstanding support and partnership and looking forward to future cooperation.

05.01.2022 Recent Extremism Developments and Debates Downunder A number of interesting debates and developments in regards to extremism/terrorism have been taking place in Australia and New Zealand over recent weeks and months. Our latest snapshot gives brief overview and explainer on their significance, illustrating the rich discussions, important research and arguments brought forward. And we are especially pleased to highlight that many of them are contributions by our ongstanding cooperation partners.

04.01.2022 This Special Edition of our Digital Snapshot takes a closer look at Germany's engagement in the Indo-Pacific and the potential of the German-Australian relationship, following our dialogue with the Defence Ministers of both countries that KAS Australia and the Pacific held in partnership with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI). Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer, who had chosen Canberra as her first port of call on a 'virtual visit’ to the region, outlined a notable shift from the transatlantic area to the Indo-Pacific.One key intersection between Australia's 2020 Strategic Update and the German Government's Policy Guidelines on the Indo-Pacific is the recognition that it is in Australia's and Germany's respective interest to not only defend but also actively shape the global order.

02.01.2022 Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in cooperation with the International Vaccine Institute and the Korean Embassy in Berlin invite you to discuss global vaccination strat...egies and international cooperation for vaccine access - among others with Prof. Dr. Ilona Kickbusch and Dr. Jerome Kim! Please register here: https://bit.ly/32wIxFZ See more

02.01.2022 KAS Australia and the Pacific would like to congratulate the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce to the launch of the German-Australian Hydrogen Alliance and feels privileged to be part of the upcoming platform.

02.01.2022 We are excited to announce the European Research Days 2020 - Australia & New Zealand (bit.ly/ERD-2020), an annual flagship event of Euraxess Australia and New... Zealand, in collaboration with the European Union in Australia and the European Union in New Zealand. 25 - 27 Nov (16:30 - 19:30 AEDT) 9 Sessions 50 Speakers Free & Virtual Event Register now bit.ly/ERD-2020-Register

02.01.2022 Just in time for the weekend, here's the second digital snapshot for 2021, delving into a topic that has received much coverage in Australia over the past weeks DIGITAL SNAPSHOT SPECIAL EDITION:A LONG READ ON WHAT THE BIDEN PRESIDENCY MAY MEAN FOR AUSTRALIA We wish all our readers a safe and relaxing weekend

01.01.2022 A New World Order at China’s Behest? Why a Swan Song for the Political West is Premature By David Merkle, Desk Officer for China (Team Asia and the Pacific), Department European and International Cooperation of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Berlin Note: This article was originally written in German and published in the Neue Züricher Zeitung on 05.02.2021. It was translated into English for the KAS Regional Programme Australia & the Pacific by Katja Theodorakis (Senior Programme Coordinator Foreign/Security Policy) and John Fitzgerald (KAS Research Intern through the ANU’s Australian National Internship Program ANIP)

01.01.2022 PACIFIC ISLANDS FORUM In the Pacific, we are told, it is all about consensus achieved by way of inclusive, participatory and transparent dialogue (talanoa). The 2021 Forum leaders' meeting is underway to achieve just that - consensus on its new Secretary-General. The question is, however, if the leaders will be able to come to an agreement, given that this year's meeting is held virtually due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. By unwritten convention it would be Micronesia's turn to lead the Forum. Their candidate - the Marshall Islands Ambassador to the United States, Gerald Zackios - is contested by other candidates for the top job. Let's see what the outcome will be.

01.01.2022 Digital Snapshot #7/21: Media report that Tuvalu, one of the world's smallest independent nations comprising nine low-lying atolls, was chasing immortality. Read our latest snapshot to find out how they propose to do it.