The Australian National University (ANU) has launched a new Australian Studies Institute, to promote the study of the nation and its role in the world.
The Institute will be led by Professor Paul Pickering and through research and study will help bring an Australian perspective to transnational and international projects.
Vice-Chancellor at ANU, Professor Brian Schmidt said establishment of the Institute was part of the University’s strategic plan to deliver on its unique national responsibilities.
“The Australian National University was founded in 1947 to study the great challenges confronting the globe from an Australian perspective,” Professor Schmidt said.
“As part of its strategic plan for the next five years, the University has reaffirmed our commitment to this mission.”
He said like all the ANU’s specialist institutions, the Australian Studies Institute will play a unique role in the Australian public policy sector by providing evidence-based analysis and research on Australian issues.
Chancellor at ANU, Professor Gareth Evans launched the Australian Studies Institute and delivered the inaugural Australia and the World lecture.
“There are obvious constraints limiting the exercise of Australia’s diplomatic authority, but against all this we have wonderful strengths,” Professor Evans said.
“Assets and capabilities giving real weight to our standing and reputation — some of them inherent or of very long standing, some much more recently acquired.”
He said Australia’s track record over many decades overwhelmingly showed that Australia and individual Australians were decent and committed international citizens, independently minded and with a real egalitarian streak — something that played well with a great many other countries.
