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Go to our registration website at www.apscregistration.gov.au

Register by fax:

Simply fax the completed registration form to 02 6202 3799

Dates

Please refer to the national programmes calendar or online registration website for confirmation of dates.

Fees and charges

All fees quoted are GST inclusive
Full fee $27,800
The fee includes academic course content, a programme of meetings with high level government, business and community leaders, briefings from senior Australian and other diplomats, official receptions and in-country transport.

Travel, accommodation and allowances are additional costs to be met by sponsoring agencies.

Location

Venue details will be provided with your registration confirmation

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Leading Australia's Future in the Asia-Pacific (LAFIA)

In 2009, two LAFIA programmes will be conducted by the Australian Public Service Commission in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and The Crawford School of Economics and Government at the Australian National University.

Key senior executive government programme

Each year around 25 senior executives from the Australian and New Zealand public sector take part in LAFIA programmes across Asia and the Pacific. More than 260 senior executives have participated in LAFIA, now in its sixteenth year.

LAFIA Asia 2009 (China and South Korea)

If you are a member of the Commonwealth, State or New Zealand public service senior executive (Band 2 or 3, or equivalent) this programme gives you the context and background for the international dimension of your senior leader responsibilities.

Enhance your strategic leadership, build senior executive business and management skills, promote a greater understanding of the region and its significance and establish valuable contacts and networks.

Programme background

Join a group of diverse and high profile senior executives as part of LAFIA Asia 2009.

LAFIA Asia 2009 analyses Australia’s contemporary engagement with Asia. You will be encouraged as a senior executive to think about the effects of current developments within the region on Australia, your agency and yourself as a leader in government.

The unique and challenging political, economic, strategic and social issues in the Asia region increasingly influence Australia’s directions and policies. India, Thailand and Singapore have become key economic and policy powerhouses of Asia and LAFIA will provide you with a unique opportunity to better understand the intricacies of these two diverse countries.

LAFIA Asia 2009 takes you on a structured study tour of these countries.

LAFIA Asia 2009 allows you to experience contemporary challenges that face Asia initially through intensive pre-tour diplomatic and academic briefings. Then in China and South Korea you will meet with senior government, business and community leaders, visit key political, commercial and community locations and enjoy stimulating discussions with influential decision makers.

Key elements of LAFIA Asia 2009

LAFIA is a distinctive contribution to enhancing your performance and leadership skills as a senior member of the Australian and New Zealand public sectors. Through a structured and tailored programme designed to meet your portfolio needs and wider interests you are afforded a unique opportunity to experience first hand the social economic and political dimensions that charge Asia.

LAFIA Asia 2009 Programme features

LAFIA Asia 2009 focuses on China and South Korea.

China

China's gross domestic product (GDP) reached more than 30 trillion yuan (4.4 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2008 after a stellar period of extraordinary growth. The Chinese Government, recognising that China could not stay immune to the global financial contagion, announced a massive US$585 billion dollar economic stimulus package in November 2008 and budgeted for a US$135 billion deficit in March 2009 aimed at further public spending to boost its economy.

Although China’s share of the global economy is still only 5%, there is widespread speculation that an impetus to the Chinese economy will be the trigger to a worldwide resurgence of the global economy. LAFIA 2009 will investigate this issue, examine the resilience of the Chinese economy and assess the impact of the stimulus packages and the flow-on effects for the Australian economy. LAFIA will also explore the contemporary political and social environment in China after decades of spectacular economic growth. LAFIA will also explore China’s emerging importance in the global strategic balance as seen by key players in China itself.

South Korea

South Korea boasts Asia’s fourth largest economy built on a period of rapid development and industrialisation in the 60s and 70s. Korea has also undergone a remarkable political transition to a robust democracy. Reeling from the global economic crisis, the South Korean economy is now forecast to shrink by about 2 per cent in 2009; the first contraction since the Asian financial crisis in 1998 when more than 1 million jobs were lost.

Collapsing exports in the year to February 2009 have resulted in more than 200,000 jobs lost and the won has depreciated sharply (by 35 per cent) against the US dollar. In response, the South Korean government has announced plans for a US$20 billion stimulus package to boost the domestic economy.

LAFIA 2009 will assess the capacity of the South Korean economy to withstand and survive the global economic downturn. You will explore the critical issue of relations with North Korea, the long term outlook for reunification, South Korea’s relations with China, and its strategic relations with Japan and the United States.

Introductory Strategic Dialogue

The Introductory Strategic Dialogue (ISD) is an intensive two day briefing of Australia’s engagement with Asia designed to prepare you for your study tour.

You will hear a diverse range of views focusing on the cultural, social, economic and political perspectives of Asia including key historical events as well as current and topical issues.

The ISD is conducted by the Australian National University’s Crawford School of Economics and Government.

The key to the success of the ISD is the quality of presentations from high profile professionals with long experience in engagement with the Asia region.

Over the two days you will hear from and interact with:

Discussion topics for LAFIA Asia 2009 ISD include:

Study tour highlights

Reporting and evaluation session

The reporting and evaluation session is the opportunity to reflect and share your experiences and those of SES colleagues about LAFIA Asia 2009.

Specifically the session is an assessment of the personal and professional outcomes of LAFIA Asia 2009 through its stated aims of:

The reporting and evaluation session will be in Canberra on 30 July 2009.

The session will be followed by a celebratory LAFIA Alumni dinner.

Cancellation

Any cancellations from the programme must be advised in writing. Written cancellations received within 30 days of the commencement of the programme on 7 May 2009 will be entitled to a full refund. Cancellations received after this date will incur full charges. Substitute participants of the appropriate level will be accepted up to 6 May 2009.

Further information

Closing date for application — Monday, 27 April 2009 Complete and return the LAFIA Asia 2009 registration form by facsimile to: 02 6202 3799.

For further information, please contact Theresa Graham (Australian Public Service Commission) on 02 6202 3767, or email theresa.graham@apsc.gov.au.