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2008 Public Affairs Programs
DCM Clune visits WA
Perth — 16-20 June 2008
Coming from the U.S. Embassy in Canberra to Perth for a June 16-20 visit, Deputy Chief of Mission Dan Clune spoke to approximately 40 Scotch College secondary school students and faculty about the U.S. Presidential campaign and the similarities and differences between the U.S. and Australian political systems. He also spoke about U.S.-Australian cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region to approximately twenty senior academics from the John Curtin Institute of Public Policy at Curtin University. At Curtin, he explored the history and foundations of the bilateral relationship, citing the World War II experience, shared values, and similar cultures. He highlighted strong ties in trade, defense, the environment, and humanitarian assistance, and cited examples of how the U.S. and Australia can work together to build better relationships in Asia and the Middle East.
At the University of Western Australia, the DCM met with Professor Kim Beazley and Vice Chancellor Alan Robson before seeing Professor of Astronomy Peter Quinn, who briefed him on plans for the Square Kilometer Array radio telescope system, a 19-nation project that will exponentially expand astronomical exploration and will be sited either in Western Australia or in southern Africa. DCM Clune attended an Australian Institute of Company Directors and Australia Business Arts Foundation reception at the At Gallery of Western Australia, where ANZ Bank Chief Economist Saul Eslake gave a presentation on business support for the arts. While in Perth, the DCM also met with business and resource professionals, government officials, political leaders, and senior academics, and was the guest of honor at an evening reception hosted by Consul General Ken Chern.
James Kelly Visits Perth
Perth — April 2008
During his April visit to Perth, visiting U.S. Speaker James Kelly spoke to senior academics, business professionals, think tank representatives, students and members of the international affairs community about America's policy toward the Asia-Pacific, U.S.-China relations, and U.S. efforts to strengthen its alliance relationships. He commented that there has been an enclave of bipartisanship in American policy toward the Asia-Pacific, including relations with China. He cited the understanding in America, and to a greater extent in Australia, that the global center of gravity is shifting from Europe to East Asia. He noted that Asia is developing in leaps and bounds and that the United States is often preoccupied by competing demands in other parts of the world, such as the Middle East. Mr. Kelly spotlighted growing protectionism in the U.S., noting that this phenomenon amidst deteriorating economic conditions presented challenges to the U.S. in East Asia. He remarked that the U.S. election campaign has focused little attention on international issues, adding that an upcoming vote in the U.S. Congress for a U.S.-Korea trade deal in 2009 could test the attitudes of a new President and Congress toward free trade.
Mr. Kelly has previously held a number of key roles at the U.S. Department of State. He is the former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and he led the U.S. delegation to the initial three sessions of the Six-Party Korea Talks in 2003-04.
Youth Councils Meet Via DVC
Perth & Houston — 10 April 2008
Having previously hosted a series of debates between Perth High School students and their counterparts in Perth’s sister cities of Houston and San Diego, on April 10, 2008 the U.S. Consulate General Perth hosted a video meeting and discussion between members of the City of Perth's Youth Advisory Council and the Mayor of Houston's Youth Council.
Six young people from each city were provided the opportunity to discuss topics of interest including: youth engagement by City Hall; measures led by youth in each city to protect the environment; and problems affecting indigenous people in Western Australia and in Texas. Acting U.S. Consul General Mark Prokop introduced and facilitated the discussion, and he provided a summation and closing remarks.
He also thanked the numerous Council Members and staff from both Mayor’s office who attended and lent their support to this international outreach and bridge-building event, part of an ongoing effort initiated by Mark and the Consulate General in 2005 to revivify and strengthen the Perth-Houston and Perth-San Diego sister city relationship. He also expressed appreciation to BHP Billiton Houston for kindly providing their board room and DVC equipment and being generous hosts.
At the conclusion of the DVC, Mr. Prokop noted that it was evident that both youth councils received a high degree of recognition in their home cities and that both groups played key roles in initiating activities that raised the quality of life in Houston and Perth. He said that it was evident that both youth council's were dynamic and that the members, with an average age of 19, shared common generational concerns such as environmental degradation, green space conservation, low voting rates amongst young people, and appropriate recreational outlets and events. At the end of the informal discussion the young people were swapping their FaceBook details so that dialogues could continue. We intend to continue this program as all have found it not only enjoyable but have been impressed by the quality of the discussion and intellectual caliber of all the young people that have participated.
Visa Chat: Non-Immigrant Visas
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
The chat on Non-Immigrant Visas is now concluded. Thank you to everyone who participated, and we hope that the session was helpful and informative to all! The full transcript of the session is now available.
Professor Davidson Provides Brief on U.S. Presidential Elections
Perth — 1 April 2008
The Consulate hosted a digital video conference (DVC) 1 April with Dr. Roger Davidson, Professor Emeritus of Government & Politics at the University of Maryland and Visiting Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Over fifty guests attended the DVC which provided Dr. Davidson with an opportunity to present a brief analysis on the 2008 U.S. Presidential elections and how the party nominating process is a complicated system with both the Democrats and Republicans employing contrasting approaches to nominating their candidates. Professor Davidson explained that the Democrats generally choose their delegates by a preference system of proportional representation — if a candidate gets 40 percent of the vote in a state, he/she can expect to get roughly 40 percent of the delegates in that state, whereas the Republicans generally have a winner takes all system. Professor Davidson also noted that the key 2008 election issues are the economy, Iraq and domestic issues such as health care, education, environment and energy conservation. A lively question and answer session and discussions over coffee followed.
CG Chern Speaks With Students From Around Perth
Perth — 27-31 March 2008
Approximately 350 students from St. Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls, Presbyterian Ladies College, Iona Presentation College and Shenton College in Western Australia attended a talk by the Consul General Dr. Ken Chern at St. Hilda’s on Thursday, March 27. Additionally, 200 students attended a similar talk by the CG at Hale School on Monday, 31 March. Dr. Chern spoke to the high school students about how we live in a rapidly changing world and what we can do about that change as Americans, Australians and citizens of the world. He commented that the key changes taking place globally today are both geopolitical and technological. He explained that change can and does present great opportunity, but also with change comes great competition and challenge. The CG pointed out that one area that does not seem to have changed in the last twenty years is the rise of China, and he said there is much the U.S. and Australia can do together to help China’s development as a positive force throughout Asia and the world.
Ambassador McCallum tours WA
Perth — 11-13 March 2008
Ambassador Robert D. McCallum, Jr. and Mrs. Mimi McCallum further acquainted themselves with Western Australia during their March 11 - 13 visit to our state. In Broome, in the Northwest Kimberley region, they paid their respect at the Allied War Memorial; met with representatives of the Returned Services League and Shire leaders; and visited the University of Notre Dame campus, where the Ambassador spoke to approximately 30 students and faculty members about the role of an Ambassador, the U.S. Presidential campaign, and the outlook for U.S.-Australia relations after the election. The Ambassador also lunched with business and political leaders from the Kimberley region and discussed economic, environmental, and social aspects of development plans for this mineral and energy rich region. In Perth, Ambassador and Mrs. McCallum met with His Excellency Dr. Ken Michael, AC, Governor of Western Australia and Mrs. Julie Michael, and with former Federal Opposition leader Kim Beazley. The Ambassador also called on Perth’s resource industry leaders. More than 100 secondary school students attended a talk by the Ambassador at Shenton College. The McCallums were also special guests at the Fulbright National Presentation Dinner — the first ever such dinner in Western Australia — held at the University of Western Australia.
Last update Monday, 7 July 2008
