Philippines Institute Launch

An incredible launch event for our new ANU Philippines Institute!

Last Friday, ANU academics, students, public sector representatives, and distinguished members of the diplomatic community united to celebrate the launch of the ANU Philippines Institute: a new hub for research and policy dialogue focused on the Philippines’ economy, politics and society.

With collaboration and support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the ANU Philippines Institute stands as a testament to the strengthened bilateral ties between Australia and the Philippines. The Institute is led by CAP academics, Associate Professor Björn Dressel and Dr Maria Tanyag.

CAP Dean, Professor Helen Sullivan, provided the official welcome. We were then honoured to have HE Ma Hellen Barber De La Vega (Philippines Ambassador to Australia) and Michelle Chan (Deputy Secretary of South and Southeast Asia Group, DFAT) deliver opening remarks. The keynote address was presented by the retired Hon. Justice Antonio T Carpio. He discussed the importance of justice and the rule of law in maritime dispute negotiations, especially related to the South China Sea dispute.

The celebrations concluded with a cultural presentation from ANU honorary academic, Dr Merlinda Bobis, who presented poetry, song and reflections on the history of cultural alliance between Indigenous Australia and the Philippines.

The Regional Institutes of CAP represent our commitment to fostering area studies and multi-disciplinary expertise, serving as a hub to provide comprehensive advice to policymakers and practitioners, and promoting greater knowledge and understanding of the vibrant cultures and societies of the Asia-Pacific region. We are excited to welcome the ANU Philippines Institute into our community, continuing our mission of being Australia’s largest centre of Asia-Pacific expertise.

For more information about the ANU Philippines Institute, please visit:
https://lnkd.in/gYg7WNx2

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade