Konrad Adenauer Lecture
Join us on Friday, 23 June 2023
We are delighted to invite you to the Konrad Adenauer Lecture 2023.
The Konrad Adenauer Lecture Series is dedicated to enhancing understanding of Europe and Germany in Australia and the wider region. With the Indo-Pacific quickly gaining geo-political importance, it is vital in reciprocity to enhance understanding of the region to European stakeholders as well. The initiative is the culmination of a longstanding partnership between the ANU Centre for European Studies and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, a German political foundation with a regional representation in Canberra, covering Australia, New Zealand and 13 Pacific Island States.
This year's KAS Lecture on "Security Issues for the Pacific Region" will be delivered by former President of the Republic of Kiribati and advocate for climate action and ocean conservation Anote Tong.
The growing geo-political importance of the Indo-Pacific has not only influenced European and Australian foreign and security policy strategies but has also posed new challenges for the island states situated in the region. In addition to climate-related challenges, Pacific nations have increasingly found themselves caught in the middle of great power struggles and the often-re-iterated mantra of a ‘friends to all and enemies to none’ neutrality has become harder to maintain. This has had implications for their own relations to major actors like the EU, the USA and China. In view of these developments, it is ever more important for these major actors to actively listen to Pacific partners and engage in solution-oriented dialogue based on common principles and joint interests, on an equal footing.
The lecture will be held in person only. Registration is required.
In Partnership with: the ANU Centre for European studies
The Konrad Adenauer Lecture Series is dedicated to enhancing understanding of Europe and Germany in Australia and the wider region. With the Indo-Pacific quickly gaining geo-political importance, it is vital in reciprocity to enhance understanding of the region to European stakeholders as well. The initiative is the culmination of a longstanding partnership between the ANU Centre for European Studies and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, a German political foundation with a regional representation in Canberra, covering Australia, New Zealand and 13 Pacific Island States.
This year's KAS Lecture on "Security Issues for the Pacific Region" will be delivered by former President of the Republic of Kiribati and advocate for climate action and ocean conservation Anote Tong.
The growing geo-political importance of the Indo-Pacific has not only influenced European and Australian foreign and security policy strategies but has also posed new challenges for the island states situated in the region. In addition to climate-related challenges, Pacific nations have increasingly found themselves caught in the middle of great power struggles and the often-re-iterated mantra of a ‘friends to all and enemies to none’ neutrality has become harder to maintain. This has had implications for their own relations to major actors like the EU, the USA and China. In view of these developments, it is ever more important for these major actors to actively listen to Pacific partners and engage in solution-oriented dialogue based on common principles and joint interests, on an equal footing.
The lecture will be held in person only. Registration is required.
In Partnership with: the ANU Centre for European studies
Location
Hyatt Hotel Canberra
120 Commonwealth Ave, Canberra ACT 2600
120 Commonwealth Ave, Canberra ACT 2600
Date & Time
23 June 2023
10:00AM - 01:00PM AEST
10:00AM - 01:00PM AEST
Keynote Speaker
Anote Tong
FORMER President of the Republic of Kiribati (2003 to 2016)
Anote Tong was the President of the Republic of Kiribati from 2003 to 2016 when he retired after holding office for the mandatory three term limit. Throughout his terms in office he highlighted the human dimensions of the climate change challenge with special focus on the existential threat it poses for the Pacific island and other communities on the front line of the impacts of climate change. Whilst in office he was a Board Member of Conservation International (CI) and upon leaving office in 2016 was appointed as a Distinguished Fellow of CI. In 2015 he was awarded the SunHak Peace Prize and has been nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize, was awarded the Edmund Hilary Award, the Peter Benchley Ocean Award as well as other awards for his work on climate change and ocean conservation. To date he continues his advocacy work on these and other regional issues speaking to various audiences world wide. He is a member and current chair of the Pacific Elders Voice (PEV) group which comprises of former national, academic and diplomatic leaders from the Pacific region.
He graduated from The University of Canterbury in NZ with a Bachelors Degree, A MSc from the London School of Economics and was awarded Honorary Doctorates from Pukyong State University, South Korea and from the University of the South Pacific, Fiji.
He graduated from The University of Canterbury in NZ with a Bachelors Degree, A MSc from the London School of Economics and was awarded Honorary Doctorates from Pukyong State University, South Korea and from the University of the South Pacific, Fiji.
Schedule (AEST)
10:00Am
Arrival and Registration
10:30AM
Welcome Remarks
10:35Am
Introduction of the Keynote Speaker
10:40Am
Lecture by Anote Tong
11:10Am
Discussion
11:25pm
Closing Remarks
11:30pm
End of Lecture followed by a Reception
01:00pm
End of Event
Location
Hyatt Hotel Canberra
120 Commonwealth Ave, Canberra ACT 2600
120 Commonwealth Ave, Canberra ACT 2600
The lecture will take place in the Federation Ballroom. You can enter the venue from the Function entrance at the rear of the Hotel. Access from Flynn Drive. Parking is limited.
Contact Us
Please feel free to contact us in case of any queries on the Konrad Adenauer Lecture and we will aim to get back to you as soon as possible.