Internal and External Sources of Political Instability in East Timor. This project is of direct relevance to Australia through its bilateral and multilateral provision of police to assist in the maintenance of East Timor's law and order, through its training of and support for the East Timor Border Patrol Unit, and its training and support of the East Timor defence force, Falintil-FDTL. The project also goes to the core of Australia's concerns with regional state maintenance (or conversely, pote ....Internal and External Sources of Political Instability in East Timor. This project is of direct relevance to Australia through its bilateral and multilateral provision of police to assist in the maintenance of East Timor's law and order, through its training of and support for the East Timor Border Patrol Unit, and its training and support of the East Timor defence force, Falintil-FDTL. The project also goes to the core of Australia's concerns with regional state maintenance (or conversely, potential state failure), direct bilateral relations with both East Timor and Indonesia, and the triangular relationship between these three states. Read moreRead less
A Study of the Fulbright Program in Australia 1949-2009. This history of the Fulbright Program of educational exchange between Australia and the USA will explore a significant and undervalued aspect of the post-war relationship between the two countries. It will enhance our understanding of the sources of innovative ideas and their transfer, by investigating whether the 2600 Australian Fulbright scholars since 1949 were influential in re-orienting local research practice and public policy initia ....A Study of the Fulbright Program in Australia 1949-2009. This history of the Fulbright Program of educational exchange between Australia and the USA will explore a significant and undervalued aspect of the post-war relationship between the two countries. It will enhance our understanding of the sources of innovative ideas and their transfer, by investigating whether the 2600 Australian Fulbright scholars since 1949 were influential in re-orienting local research practice and public policy initiatives along US models. It will broaden awareness of the Fulbright Program's place in the Australian experience of globalisation, and contribute to a critical understanding of cultural diplomacy as a key feature of foreign policy.Read moreRead less
Pacific futures and second generation transnationalism: a Tongan case study. As Australia considers its role in the Pacific it is imperative to understand the changing transnational ties of Pacific Islanders. A decline in ties such as remittances will have far-reaching implications for vulnerable Island economies and societies, and this study of 'second generation? Tongans will assess the extent to which transnational ties are likely to persist. Australia is Tonga's primary provider of developme ....Pacific futures and second generation transnationalism: a Tongan case study. As Australia considers its role in the Pacific it is imperative to understand the changing transnational ties of Pacific Islanders. A decline in ties such as remittances will have far-reaching implications for vulnerable Island economies and societies, and this study of 'second generation? Tongans will assess the extent to which transnational ties are likely to persist. Australia is Tonga's primary provider of development cooperation, and a decline in these ties will impact on this relationship. The project will contribute to planning for Australia's future relationship with Tonga and the Pacific region in areas such as aid, migration and security. Read moreRead less
The Spectre of Velvet Revolution: Dissidents, International Civil Society and post-Communist Authoritarianism. The study of 'Velvet Revolution,' both as a theory and as historical events, has immense implications for Australian policymakers. As an approach to regime change that does not entail foreign military intervention, 'Velvet Revolution' offers a path for democratic transition that minimises nationalist resentment and post-revolutionary violence. As a radical challenge to undemocratic regi ....The Spectre of Velvet Revolution: Dissidents, International Civil Society and post-Communist Authoritarianism. The study of 'Velvet Revolution,' both as a theory and as historical events, has immense implications for Australian policymakers. As an approach to regime change that does not entail foreign military intervention, 'Velvet Revolution' offers a path for democratic transition that minimises nationalist resentment and post-revolutionary violence. As a radical challenge to undemocratic regimes, it also constitutes a potent alternative to militant Islamism. By illuminating the role of dissidents and international civil society as protagonists and purveyors of 'Velvet Revolution,' this project will help to clarify the conditions that have facilitated the successful spread of democratic revolution.Read moreRead less
Governance in a Shrinking, Fragmenting World. 'The End of Sovereignty?' was a well received study in which the applicants examined the need to reconceptualize the 'sovereign state' in a rapidly globalizing world. Ten years later, this new study builds on that foundation. Through careful sifting of the empirical evidence, it examines both the challenge of globalization for governance, and institutional and normative responses to that challenge. In doing so, it aims to develop a clearer interpreta ....Governance in a Shrinking, Fragmenting World. 'The End of Sovereignty?' was a well received study in which the applicants examined the need to reconceptualize the 'sovereign state' in a rapidly globalizing world. Ten years later, this new study builds on that foundation. Through careful sifting of the empirical evidence, it examines both the challenge of globalization for governance, and institutional and normative responses to that challenge. In doing so, it aims to develop a clearer interpretation of the dynamics of global social change in relation to the national state, and a framework of analysis which, with whatever qualifications prove necessary, takes us beyond the sovereignty discourse.Read moreRead less
International Conflict, Religion and Culture: Implications for Southeast Asia and Australia. This study will:
(1) Provide governments and their agencies critical benchmarks and strategic options for policy development and public discourse, especially in periods of international tension;
(2) Offer religious and ethnic organisations greater expertise and more usable resources to help defuse potential conflict and hostility within Australian society;
(3) Widen media skills in interpreting and ....International Conflict, Religion and Culture: Implications for Southeast Asia and Australia. This study will:
(1) Provide governments and their agencies critical benchmarks and strategic options for policy development and public discourse, especially in periods of international tension;
(2) Offer religious and ethnic organisations greater expertise and more usable resources to help defuse potential conflict and hostility within Australian society;
(3) Widen media skills in interpreting and disseminating material originating from diverse religious and cultural sources;
(4) Enhance Australia's reputation as a vibrant multicultural society able to develop cutting-edge dialogical programmes;
(5) Help to make Australia's engagement with Asia more sensitive to the religious and cultural dimensions of international diplomacy.Read moreRead less
The law of refugee status: a theoretical and comparative analysis. This Project will make a significant contribution to international refugee law scholarship, thus consolidating Australia's place as a centre for excellence in international refugee law. In addition, the Project will have immediate practical relevance for individual refugee status determination in all states parties to the Convention, especially Australia, in its utility for practitioners, advocates and decision-makers. It will al ....The law of refugee status: a theoretical and comparative analysis. This Project will make a significant contribution to international refugee law scholarship, thus consolidating Australia's place as a centre for excellence in international refugee law. In addition, the Project will have immediate practical relevance for individual refugee status determination in all states parties to the Convention, especially Australia, in its utility for practitioners, advocates and decision-makers. It will also provide a principled basis for future policy development in Australia and abroad. It will therefore make a significant contribution to an area of law that is vital to Australia's future and to the international community as a whole.Read moreRead less
Democratizing the Middle East: implications of Washington's policies. Regime change has been justified by the coalition of willing as beneficial to the promotion of democracy and stable governance in the Middle East. It is, therefore, important to examine how effective this project has been. Australia's foreign policy towards the region resembles that of the United States, including military intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan. This involvement warrants an assessment of the way state building h ....Democratizing the Middle East: implications of Washington's policies. Regime change has been justified by the coalition of willing as beneficial to the promotion of democracy and stable governance in the Middle East. It is, therefore, important to examine how effective this project has been. Australia's foreign policy towards the region resembles that of the United States, including military intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan. This involvement warrants an assessment of the way state building has set these two societies on a democratic trajectory, and whether they are serving as beacons of democracy in their neighbourhood. It is in Australia's national interests to have a realistic assessment of its foreign policy impact in the Middle East and Central Asia. Read moreRead less
International Criminal Justice: Law, Policy and its Relevance to Australia's security. International Criminal Justice (ICJ) is a discipline of increasing importance in global and national responses to atrocity and violence, in particular war crimes and terrorism. Australia's security, as well as its standing in the international community is directly affected by the way it understands and applies ICJ. This project will benefit the Australian community by analysing and developing an understanding ....International Criminal Justice: Law, Policy and its Relevance to Australia's security. International Criminal Justice (ICJ) is a discipline of increasing importance in global and national responses to atrocity and violence, in particular war crimes and terrorism. Australia's security, as well as its standing in the international community is directly affected by the way it understands and applies ICJ. This project will benefit the Australian community by analysing and developing an understanding of the law and policy issues affecting how we treat war crimes and terrorism and by engaging not just with the academic and practitioner community in Australia and internationally, but with government representatives from the Attorney-General's, Foreign Affairs and Defence Departments.Read moreRead less
Islamic Perceptions of Justice in International Relations. This research moves beyond the conventional view of Islam and the West dichotomy and explores the middle ground. It explores the potential for redressing Muslim grievances through the existing international system by examining the sources of these grievances. It contextualises Islamic activism within time and space and, by implication, facilitates the formulation of relevant policy responses. As a result, this project contributes to a de ....Islamic Perceptions of Justice in International Relations. This research moves beyond the conventional view of Islam and the West dichotomy and explores the middle ground. It explores the potential for redressing Muslim grievances through the existing international system by examining the sources of these grievances. It contextualises Islamic activism within time and space and, by implication, facilitates the formulation of relevant policy responses. As a result, this project contributes to a de-ideologised view of the Muslim experience and the building of bridges to cross the imagined schism between Islam and the West. Read moreRead less