australia-thailand institute

AUSTRALIA-THAILAND INSTITUTEANNUAL PROGRAM REPORT 2010-11

AUSTRALIA-THAILAND INSTITUTE ANNUAL PROGRAM REPORT 2010-11 1

Contents

GLOSSARY 3

CHAIRPERSON’S MESSAGE 4

AUSTRALIA-THAILAND INSTITUTE OVERVIEW 6

BOARD MEMBERSHIP as at 30 June 2011 7

AUSTRALIA-THAILAND INSTITUTE SECRETARIAT 8

MISSION STATEMENT AND GOALS 10

FUNDING ACTIVITIES 11

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS GRANTS PROGRAM 12

Science, Technology and Innovation 12

Economics and Trade 14

Education 15

Culture and the Arts 19

Community Programs 22

OTHER DISCRETIONARY GRANTS 24

ATI INITIATED PROGRAMS 26

ADMINISTRATIVE OVERVIEW 32

APPENDIX A: ATI Strategic Plan 2009-2012 33

APPENDIX B: ATI Financial Information 2010-2011 35


Australia-Thailand Business Council

Australia-Thailand Institute

Thailand Board of Investment

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Foundation, Council, Institute

Head of Mission (i.e. Ambassador)

International Relations Grant Program (grants in support of the Government’s foreign and trade policy goals, including through bilateral foundations, councils and institutes, which help promote people- to-people links and a contemporary and positive image of Australia).

Next Generation Community Leaders

Australian Embassy, Bangkok

Long running or long term activities that promote the mission and goals of the ATI

Individual, one-off undertakings to promote the mission and goals of the ATI

Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement

Glossary

ATBC

ATI

BOI

DFAT

FCI

HOM

IRGP

NGCL

Post

Programs

Projects

TAFTA

AUSTRALIA-THAILAND INSTITUTE ANNUAL PROGRAM REPORT 2010-114

This year the Australia-Thailand Institute received a record 87 applications and has funded 37 different grant activities and departmental programs within the framework of our 2010/11 business plan objectives.

The ATI has funded a diverse range of grants with exciting potential where seed funding from the Institute has been extremely valuable in progressing important issues through bilateral cooperation. In line with our stated priorities we targeted projects impacting on Community Development, Economics and Trade, and Media with a focus wherever possible on the ‘next generation’ of leaders.

In the area of Community Development we continued our Next Generation Community Leaders program for the sixth year with six young Thais from the Southern Provinces visiting Australia to experience our multicultural society and social inclusion policies. We also sponsored a very successful alumni meeting in Bangkok hosted by the Australian Ambassador where 24 previous participants met to renew friendships and discuss community issues. In addition, the ATI also helped a number of young Thais to attend a variety of regional development programs including the Asia Pacific Youth Conference.

Through our grants program we also supported a number of community projects from Royal Surf Life Saving Australia’s ‘SwimSafe’ project (aimed at stemming the 2,600 child drownings per year in Thailand) to a Buddhist arts and community development program in Sydney.

To continue to promote trade and investment between our two countries we worked with the Thai Board of Investment to stage conferences in Melbourne and Bangkok on how TAFTA can be used to expand business opportunities. These events attracted more than 350 participants and confirmed the importance of bilateral trade and ongoing opportunities.

Chairperson’s Message


In March we continued our successful Media Visit program with three Thai music and arts journalists visiting Australia with a focus on Australia’s vibrant cultural scene and the Australian Government’s policies on supporting the arts. This resulted in a large number of positive articles in the Thai media.

This year we also approved a number of grants with a focus on the environment ranging from a seminar on Integrated Pest Management held in Northern Thailand, to a collaborative program on Mangrove Monitoring.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of the ATI Secretariat, who provided ongoing support to the Board in implementing our agenda. Vanessa Wood commenced early this year as the new Director of the secretariat and has been a valuable addition to the Institute. I thank her predecessor, Alison Purnell, for her untiring work and wish her well in her new role. I also wish to acknowledge and thank Gai Jansen and the many other DFAT officers, both in Canberra and the Australian Embassy in Bangkok, for their invaluable advice and support throughout the year.

I would also like to thank my fellow Board members for their energetic commitment, support and spirit which have not only made my role easier but more importantly allowed the ATI to make significant progress in achieving its goals.

Finally, I would also like to thank everyone who applied for a grant, without whom there would be no projects to fund. Your enthusiasm and commitment energise everyone. I would also like to thank all the participants of the many programs run by the ATI; it is your energy that makes these programs the success they are.

Overall, the ATI has supported a number of projects and programs that have, at their core, the ability to enhance the bilateral relationship between Australia and Thailand. The upcoming commemoration of 60 years of bilateral diplomatic relations between Australia and Thailand will be an important focal point for the Institute in 2012, providing an opportunity to showcase this very important relationship.

Mike Courtnall Chairperson Australia-Thailand Institute



The Australia-Thailand Institute (ATI) was established in 2005 to promote and enhance the bilateral relationship between Australia and Thailand. On 4 July 2008 the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Hon Mr Stephen Smith MP, announced the Government’s decision to make the Institute permanent.

The Institute is headed by a Chairperson and is governed by an Advisory Board of up to eight members chosen from the Australian public. The ATI is funded by the Australian Government and is housed within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In 2010-11 the ATI’s budget was $500,000, half of which was for funding grants. Appendix B provides detailed financial information.

The ATI’s purpose is to promote bilateral relations with Thailand and to expand institutional and people-to-people links. The ATI initiates and supports a range of activities designed to promote a greater awareness of Australia in Thailand and a greater awareness of Thailand in Australia, including visits and exchanges between the two countries, development of institutional links and support for knowledge transfer.

Wherever possible, the ATI seeks to expand people-to-people links with a focus on the next generation of leaders as well as institutional linkages through programs, partnerships with other organisations, and seed funding of projects to enable them to grow.

Overview


At 30 June 2011, the Advisory Board was comprised of eight Australians from business, academia and the arts, plus an ex-officio member from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Chairperson

Mr Mike Courtnall Company Director and former President of Asian Building and Manufacturing Markets, Bluescope Steel (Advisory Board member from 1 May 2005 - 31 July 2008. Appointed as Chair from 1 January 2009 - 31 December 2011)

Professor Abdullah Saeed Director, National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies, University of Melbourne (Advisory Board Membership from 1 January 2009 - 31 December 2011)

Mr John Hancock Chairman of John W. Hancock & Associates (Advisory Board Membership from 1 January 2009 - 31 December 2011)

Mr Michael Laverty Managing Director, Tropfest (Advisory Board Membership from 1 January 2009 - 31 December 2011)

Mr Jim Middleton Anchor Newshour, Australia Network (Advisory Board Membership from 1 January 2009 - 31 December 2011)

Mr Sid Myer Co-Vice President, Myer Foundation Chairman, Asialink (Advisory Board Membership from 1 May 2005 - 31 July 2008. Reappointed from 1 January 2009 - 31 December 2011)

Advisory Board Members

Ms Gillian Bird Deputy Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Ex-officio member since 1 May 2005)

Mr Doug Hall AM Writer, Company Director and former Art Museum Director (Advisory Board Membership from 1 May 2005 - 31 July 2008. Reappointed from 1 January 2009 - 31 December 2011)

Board Membership as at 30 June 2011

Ms Margaret West AM Curatorial Consultant and Emeritus Curator of Aboriginal Art, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin (Advisory Board Membership from 1 November 2009 - 31 October 2012)



The ATI’s Secretariat is located within the South-East Asia Bilateral Branch, South-East Asia Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Secretariat implements the ATI Board’s decisions and recommendations, and administers the ATI’s funding programs and other activities.

In 2010-11 the Secretariat consisted of one full-time director and one full-time officer. Over the course of the financial year these positions were filled by:

Ms Alison Purnell Director Jul 2010 - Aug 2010 Mr Phillip Stonehouse Director Sept 2010 - Nov 2010 Ms Vanessa Wood Director Commenced 7 Feb 2011 Ms Kim Freeman Project Officer Aug 2010 - Jan 2011 Ms Gai Jansen Executive Officer Jul 2010, (maternity leave), recommenced Jan 2011. The Secretariat liaises with the Australian Embassy in Bangkok, and receives input and assistance from the following officers:

Mr James Wise Ambassador Mr Simon Farbenbloom Deputy Head of Mission Ms Sarah Storey Counsellor Ms Amelia Henty First Secretary Ms Melanie Littlejohn Second Secretary Mr Benjamin Wright Second Secretary Ms Piyarat Suksiri Director, Public and Cultural Diplomacy Mr Sarat Suebsantikul Research Officer

Contact Details

Australia-Thailand Institute Secretariat South-East Asia Division Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade RG Casey Building John McEwen Crescent BARTON ACT 0221 Telephone: (02) 6261 3202 Facsimile: (02) 6261 2342

Email: [email protected] Website: www.dfat.gov.au/ati

Secretariat


Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Minister’s official Delegate (First Assistant Secretary, South-East Asia Division)

DFAT’s Executive, Planning and Evaluation

Branch

Australia - Thailand Institute

ATI Secretariat

ATI Director plus 1 x Executive Officer

Located within the Department of Foreign Affairs

and Trade, Canberra South-East Asia Division South-East Asia Bilateral

Branch

ATI Advisory Board

Chair Mr Mike Courtnall

Ex-officio Member Ms Gillian Bird

(DFAT Deputy Secretary)

Advisory Board Members Mr Doug Hall, AM Mr John Hancock

Mr Michael Laverty Mr Jim Middleton

Mr Sid Myer Professor Abdullah Saeed

Ms Margie West, AM


Mission Statement

Goals

The ATI program and budget will support Australia’s foreign and trade policy interests by facilitating activities that:

• Contribute to the development of Australia’s political and economic relations with Thailand and support Australia’s broader diplomatic objectives in Thailand;

• Broaden awareness and understanding in Australia and Thailand of each other’s culture, values and traditions, including sport;

• Generate increased institutional and people-to-people contacts between Australia and Thailand; and

• Publicly promote the Australia-Thailand relationship and establish relations through media and alumni activities in order to facilitate long-term bilateral links.

The Australia-Thailand Institute’s three year Strategic Plan (2009-2012), approved by the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Smith, sets out the ATI’s mission, functions, goals and strategies (Appendix A).

To broaden and deepen the relationship between Australia and Thailand and to undertake and support programs that strengthen next generation links between Australia and Thailand.


The ATI identified the following priority areas for 2010-11 with a focus on youth and geographical balance in its programming:1. Economics and Trade: including the facilitation of

TAFTA Seminars2. Community Development: continuation of the Next Generation Community Leaders visit 3. Media: next generation journalists, including a Thai media visit to Australia

During 2010-11 the Board considered 80 grant applications and provided funding for 29 of these under the International Relations Grants Program. The majority of activities supported by the ATI also attracted substantial funding and in-kind support from other organisations and individuals.

A thematic summary of ATI expenditure in 2010-11 is outlined in the table below. Full details are included in the financial statement at Appendix B.

Funding Activities

PRIORITY AREA EXPENDITURE PERCENTAGE

Science, Technology and $69,275 13.86 Innovation Economics and Trade $35,957 7.19

Education $111,480 22.30

Culture and the Arts $119,068 23.81

Community Programs $83,465 16.69

Public Policy $8,963 1.79

Administration Costs $47,909 9.58

TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENDITURE $476,117 95.22 per cent

A description of each of the grants and projects funded by the ATI, by priority area, follows.



The ATI accesses the Department’s International Relations Grants Program (IRGP) funding to directly fund public projects designed to advance Australia-Thailand bilateral relations. In 2010-11 the ATI was allocated a budget of $250,000 in IRGP funding.

International Relations

Science Technology and InnovationIPM Technologies, Integrated Pest Management in Northern Thailand

In conjunction with Bhuping Palace and the Muang Ngai Agriculture Project (Royal Project Foundation of Thailand), IPM Technologies taught and demonstrated integrated pest management to farmers and agricultural technologists in northern Thailand. The aim was to reduce reliance on pesticides and improve environmentally sustainable farming practises. Farmers became aware of the benefits of growing their crops in a more environmentally sustainable manner, which improves worker health and safety, reduces pesticide residues on produce and improves pest control. The success of integrated pest management on a demonstration rose crop was a particular highlight. Prior to this project pests in this crop were unable to be controlled due to pesticide resistance.

Ongoing collaboration is planned as the Royal Project Foundation is determined to establish IPM education centres at both Bhuping Palace and Muang Ngai Agriculture Station. Both institutes have selected sites for building the centres and allocated land for demonstration trials. This fantastic outcome is beyond the original expectations of the project, demonstrating the success and benefits of this program.

Participants in the IPM Project, Northern Thailand (photo courtesy of Peter Cole, IPM Technologies)

Grants Program


Asialink, Building the Australia-Thailand Partnership in Community Mental Health

ATI funding supported the participation of senior Australian mental health specialists to travel to Thailand to deliver jointly developed training programs and workshops. This included four senior representatives from Australia travelling to Thailand to facilitate key sessions in the Annual National International Mental Health Conference. Further information can be found at http://www.aamh.edu.au/projects/thailand

Funding also supported Thailand’s participation in Stage 2 of the Asia Pacific Community Mental Health Development Project (APCMHD), with two senior Thai representatives attending a two day APCMHD workshop. Further information can be found at http://www.aamh.edu.au/special_projects/asia_pacific_community_mental_health_development_project/apcmhdp_india_conference

The final stage of the project involving a two day workshop for Thai mental health professionals delivered by Australian trainers in Thailand was delayed to August 2011. Due to savings achieved so far in administering this project, it has been agreed that the project can now also fund a Thai participant in the next APCMHD workshop to be held in Melbourne in November 2011. This project is due for completion following the Melbourne workshop with a full completion report to be submitted to the ATI by the end of December 2011.

University of Technology Sydney/Central Institute of Forensic Science Thailand, Specialist Forensic Science Training in Thailand: A Capacity Building Activity

This project will deliver a training package to the Central Institute of Forensic Science Thailand and bring Thai representatives to Australia to tour Australian forensic science facilities. It will develop meaningful and long-term contacts between a world-leading Australian forensic science training and research institution and a Thai forensic science agency and encourage the bilateral exchange of information and knowledge. This project is due for completion in October 2011 with a full completion report to be submitted to the ATI by the end of November 2011.

James Cook University, MangroveWatch Thailand

A project to develop a mangrove hub to promote collaboration and communication between Thai and Australian research/non-government organisation/Government agencies. A seven day workshop will be held in Krabi, Thailand to establish the mangrove hub and develop a mangrove monitoring program for Thailand to promote better management of their important mangrove resources. It will include field days with visits to local villages to provide local community participants with the opportunity to engage in the mangrove monitoring development process and to discuss local concerns regarding mangrove management. This project is due for completion in August 2011 with a full completion report to be submitted to the ATI by the end of September 2011.


Economics and TradeAustralia Thailand Business Council, Resurgent Thailand: Future Prospects Through Australian Eyes Seminar

The Australia Thailand Business Council (ATBC) hosted a seminar in Melbourne on 20 October 2010 to provide insights into Thailand’s current political and economic situation for people seeking to do business in Thailand.

The program commenced with an academic seminar opened by the Thai Ambassador, His Excellency Dr Kriangsak Kittichaisaree and was followed by a business forum and luncheon at which Mr Lindsay Fox, founder of LinFox, gave a keynote address focussing on his business experience with Thailand. Leading Asian business advisers also shared their experiences and successes in Thailand during an interactive session.

Over 100 participants attended the event. The seminar facilitated exchange between the academic and business communities and highlighted investment and trade opportunities in Thailand. The event also provided an excellent opportunity for businesses, decision makers and academics to promote the Thailand Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA).

Lindsay Fox addresses the ATBC Seminar (photo courtesy of Colin Mackenzie, ATBC)


EducationEducation Radio Productions, Talkback Classroom in the Classroom

Students participating in the Talkback Classroom project (photo courtesy of Mr Stephen Cutting)

A practical five day professional development program for 21 Thai secondary school teachers that demonstrated the benefits of active, student centred learning for Thai classrooms. The participants were exposed to the successful and proven ‘Talkback Classroom’ model of participatory student learning and engagement, and are now able to implement a Talkback Classroom pedagogical model in their schools.

A central component of the program was the involvement of 24 grade 12 students who took part in a teaching lab component of the program each afternoon. Participating teachers worked with the students to prepare them for a series of interviews that culminated in a final interview on the last day of the program with a guest interviewee.

The program referenced the Thai Ministry of Education’s Stimulus Package 2, introduced in January 2010, which encourages teachers to introduce a more interactive pedagogy in their classrooms. This professional development program for teachers actively supported the principles of this new Thai education initiative.


Royal Life Saving Society Australia, SwimSafe Thailand

This project targeted childhood drowning in Thailand, an epidemic that claims the lives of 2,600 Thai children annually, nearly all of whom lack basic survival swimming skills. The project trialled a new survival swimming program, delivered in portable swimming pools. The project trained and certified 11 new swimming and water safety instructors (Thai nationals, normally school teachers) to deliver the program to school children. SwimSafe Thailand has trained around 500 children to date with particularly strong results for older primary school children. More information on this wonderful program can be obtained from www.swimsafe.org

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Promoting Midwifery Care Through Education Exchange

Professor Eleanor Holroyd (left), Dr Linda Jones (centre), Dr Amepom Ratinthom (right)and Directors of Midwifery from Mahidol University’s teaching hospital

Under this program the ATI funded two exchange visits to promote midwifery care in Thailand and Australia. The first brought Mahidol University (Bangkok) staff to RMIT for two weeks in November 2010. A return trip of RMIT academics to Mahidol University occurred in July 2011. The visits included lectures, midwifery clinical visits and seminars to clinicians and academics on Thai midwifery practises. This project achieved sustainable long term continuity of care midwifery models for Thai maternal health service delivery. Further information can be found at RMIT.edu.au > News and Events > Health

Floating skills at Mahaparp Krajathong Uppatham School, Samut Prakan province


Global Entrepreneurial Education, Phuket/Darwin Education Initiative

This grant was the first phase in bringing the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI) to Thailand. Dr Peter Harris travelled to Thailand to sign a memorandum of understanding between CERES Community Environment Park (Melbourne), Billanook College (Victoria), and the Srinagarindra The Princess Mother School, Phuket. This set in place the foundation for a cross-cultural program to teach schools and their communities to become sustainable through improvements to their management of resources such as energy, waste, water, biodiversity and landscape design. Phase two of this project has been funded in the 2011-12 financial year. This project, in its entirety, is due for completion in December 2011 with a full completion report to be submitted to the ATI by the end of January 2012.

Australian National University, Building and Sustaining Research Capacity of Academic Staff Through Collaborative Research and Postgraduate Supervision

A project between the Research Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Australian National University, the School of Nursing University of Canberra, and the Faculty of Nursing Chulalongkorn University, Thailand to establish a new Centre for Health Development for Persons with Chronic Illness. This will provide an opportunity for Australian and Thai nurses to form a strong alliance to promote research targeting people with chronic illness and to build sustainable processes to prevent and manage chronic illness. This project is due for completion in September 2011 with a full completion report to be submitted to the ATI by the end of October 2011.


University of Sydney, Democratic Governance and Human Rights Program

This program seeks to deepen and broaden academic research and teaching in the area of democratic governance and human rights. It will do so by building a strong and sustainable collaboration between two leading research and teaching centres in Australia and Thailand and providing opportunities for young scholars to develop their expertise in and exposure to this field. The ATI’s funding will specifically:

• Provide support for two emerging human rights advocates from Australia and Thailand to conduct cross-cultural research into current human right issues.

• Provide support for a reciprocal academic exchange program for one leading academic from University of Sydney and Mahidol University respectively to collaborate on research, transfer knowledge and build new links and networks between human rights professionals.

This project is due for completion in June 2012 with a full completion report to be submitted to the ATI by the end of July 2012.


Culture and the ArtsQL2 Centre for Youth Dance, Toes on the Edge

A contemporary dance cultural exchange between QL2 Centre for Youth Dance and Bangkok Dance Academy. Nine young dancers from QL2 travelled to Bangkok, Chang Mai and Khon Kaen during January 2011, performing a piece choreographed partly in Australia and Thailand in conjunction with dancers from the Bangkok Dance Academy. The performance, Toes on the Edge, explored cultural boundaries and how young people choose to respect or transgress those boundaries. Workshops for students were also held in each city. This was a highly successful project with QL2 and Bangkok Dance Academy set to continue their relationship through future exchanges.


Adelaide International Film Festival, Thai Cinema Strand

The ATI provided a small amount of funding to the Adelaide Film Festival to showcase the work of Cannes Palm D’Or winner Apichatapong Weerasethakul. Mr Weerasethakul conducted a SKYPE interview with film festival attendees following the screening of his film Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives. This event was pivotal in providing the space to promote, screen, discuss and celebrate Thai films and filmmakers.

Apichatapong Weerasethakul speaking to Adelaide Film Festival attendees via SKYPE

Australian Catholic University, Vejjasala (Place of Healing) Buddhist Art and Community Development Project

With the assistance of ATI funding the Australian Catholic University’s Mr Lachlan Warner travelled to Chiang Mai to observe and participate in the activities of the Land Foundation and work with the local art community, particularly at Chiang Mai University. Mr Warner developed working models and processes for an active contemporary artists’ community and work centre, based on Buddhist customs and principles. He developed ongoing contacts for future exchanges between Chiang Mai artists and artists of the Vejjasala Centre, Australia. Mr Warner also developed links between the Fine Art Department, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai Rajamangula Lanna University of Technology, and Chiang Mai Art on Paper, particularly in the areas of sculpture, installation and printmaking.


Helen Stacey Fine Art Productions, Border Crossing Art Project

A collaborative, cross-cultural, visual art project incorporating an exhibition and collaborative research program. The project was launched at The Art Centre, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. It then toured to the Adelaide College of Arts and then on to tour New Zealand in 2011. At each location there was an exhibition, workshops, a forum and a seminar involving tertiary institutions and the public. This project developed a model of cross-cultural engagement through the medium of visual arts in order to link artists and institutions in the Asia-Pacific region – Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. More information and photographs can be found at http://thebordercrossingartproject.blogspot.com

Thai Culture and Food Festival Inc, Thai Culture and Food Festivals, Melbourne and Brisbance 2010

These festivals showcase Thailand to the wider community through performances of Thai dance, music, Muay Thai and cooking demonstrations, a beauty contest, Thai restaurant and product stalls. This event was held in Brisbane for the first time in 2010 following the enormous success of the Thai

Culture and Food Festival held annually in Melbourne. Over 63,000 people attended these events, bringing a greater awareness of Thai culture to Brisbane and Melbourne.

Asialink, Arts Residency Program 2011

Each year the Asialink Arts Residency Program sends a number of Australian artists to live and work in countries throughout Asia. The ATI provides funding to send artists to Thailand for three to four months based at an arts organisation, institution or university, to work on a project of their choice. This particular program will see Ms Zoe Scrogings undertaking an arts management residency with Makhampom Theatre Group, Mr Akos Armont undertaking a performing arts residency with Circus Action International, and Ms Irene Hanenbergh undertaking a visual arts residency with Naresuan University. This project is due for completion in December 2011 with a full completion report to be submitted to the ATI by the end of January 2012.

Traditional Thai dancers performing at the Melbourne Festival


Community ProgramsJustice Empowerment Mission, Mao Yao Hill Tribes Craft and Textiles Development Program

This project focussed on training women from ethnic minorities within the Mae Yao subdistrict, Chiang Rai province, Thailand. The women were taught sewing, textile creation, design and western garment production. This project was conducted in partnership with the Mirror Foundation, a Thai based non-government organisation. The project has been an outstanding success with a vibrant and functional textiles work room operating from Monday to Friday that provides on-going, dignified employment and higher than award-level wages for six women from Thai ethnic minority groups.

Canberra Grammar School, Tha Ma Khaeng School IT Room Project

In July 2011 students from Canberra Grammar School travelled to a poor, rural, hill tribe school in Northern Thailand to assist in the construction of a two storey block that now houses an IT room on the top floor, and a general purpose meeting room on the ground floor. This fostered links between Australian and Thai school students, and saw the construction of some much needed additional infrastructure to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding Tha Ma Khaeng School. A blog describing the students experiences, including photographs can be found at www.cgs.act.edu.au/news/postcard-from-thailand

Participants in the Mao Yao Hill Tribes Craft and Textiles Development Program


Free the Bears Fund Inc, Bears for Thought - Developing Environmental Knowledge and Youth Wildlife Advocacy in Rural Thailand

This is a 12 month rural youth education project to be implemented by the Mobile Education Unit of Thailand-based non-profit FREELAND Foundation, with support from Australia’s Free the Bears Fund. In the provinces surrounding the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai forest complex in Central Thailand, a series of mobile education program visits will be made to schools in villages known to be involved in unsustainable and environmen-tally destructive wildlife poaching. Two youth camps will also be organised to expose children to the natural wonders of Kaho Yai and Thap Lan National Parks and give them an appreciation of the complexity and delicate ecological balance of these nature re-serves. A workshop will also be organised to equip local teachers so they can integrate this education into their school curriculum. This project is due for completion in June 2012 with a full completion report to be submitted to the ATI by the end of July 2012.


The ATI was allocated operational funding of $250,000 in 2010-11. These monies may be used to fund additional grants where IRGP funds have been exhausted.

Other Discretionary

Initiatives of Change, Asia-Pacific Youth Conference 2011

ATI funding will assist in sending Thai participants to the Asia-Pacific Youth Conference 2011 which has the aim of empowering individuals to shape their cultures, communities and nations. The program will cover plenary sessions, workshops and skills development, cultural presentations, team activities and leadership and life direction discussions. More information can be found at www.apyc2011.org

La Trobe University, Centre for Dialogue, Leadership Training Program for Young Muslims

This leadership training program will provide skills to young Muslims from South-East Asia (including Thailand) through interaction with emerging Muslim leaders in Australia and a series of dialogues with influential Australians. This will be achieved through an intensive seven week program in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne with a focus on intercultural and interfaith understanding. This project is due for completion by September 2011 with a full completion report to be submitted to the ATI by October 2011.

Mr Giles Ryder, Thailand-Australia Light Space Festival

This project will develop and implement an international contemporary art festival focusing on light installation in Northern Thailand during Loi Krathong (the festival of the lights). Venues will include Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok and Chiang Rai. This project is due for completion by mid September 2011 with a full completion report to be submitted to the ATI by mid October 2011.

Grants


University of Melbourne, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, Thailand, Pedagogy and Praxis: Learning and Teaching in Buri Ram Province

Six Master of Teaching teacher candidates and two teacher educators from the Melbourne Graduate School of Education will travel to the Mechai Pattana School, Lamplaimat, Buri Ram Province to undertake a teaching placement and to work alongside the Thai teachers to enhance teacher education practices in Thailand and Australia. This project is due for completion in December 2011 with a full completion report to be submitted to the ATI by the end of January 2012.

Southern Cross University, Centre for Tourism Leisure and Work, Krabi-Queensland Cultural Engagement Project

This project will facilitate a tour of Australia for a selected group of traditional Thai musicians from Krabi province. Initial discussions are being held with the Urak Lawoi from the village of Sang-ga-u in the South-East corner of Koh Lanta (otherwise known as the Sea Gypsies or “Chao Leh” people of the sea). The project will also produce a documentary video of the tour. This project is due for completion in March 2012 with a full completion report to be submitted to the ATI by the end of April 2012.


The ATI was allocated operational funding of $250,000 in 2010-11. In addition to covering the running costs of the Institute, these monies may be used to fund specific programs as identified by the ATI Advisory Board.


Making the Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement Work For You Seminar

On 20 July 2010, in conjunction with the Thai Board of Investment, the ATI co-funded a seminar in Melbourne to promote the benefits of TAFTA. Guest speakers included His Excellency Dr Kriangsak Kittichaisaree, Thailand Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Australia; Ms Maurine Lam, Regional Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner: ASEAN North and Minister Commercial to Thailand, Austrade; Ms Duangjai Asawachintachit, Assistant Secretary General, Thailand Board of Investment; Mr Jason Ellis, President, BlueScope Steel Thailand; and Mr Andrew Durieux, then President of the Australia-Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Next Generation Community Leaders (NGCL) Visit

This annual flagship program brings young Thai community leaders from differing faiths and regional areas to Australia to experience our culture and gain an understanding of the different ways in which multiculturalism is approached by the Australian Government and private sector organisations, and embraced by communities. The 2011 visit brought six Thai community leaders to Sydney and Melbourne between 5-11 June. The visit schedule included the following engagements:

Initiated Programs

SYDNEY MELBOURNE Parramatta West Primary School Aust. Federal Police Community Liaison Team

Forum on Australian-Islamic Relations Australian Multicultural Foundation

Dinner with ATI Chairman, Dinner with ATI Board member,

Mr Mike Courtnall Prof. Saeed

Thulli Dreaming Indigenous Troupe Dandenong interfaith tour

Roundtable, interview and tour of SBS Radio

Guided tour of State Library of Victoria


Participants found the visit to be extremely useful and have indicated that they will apply what they had seen and experienced to their own work within their communities. All of the young leaders have returned home with a deeper understanding of Australia and an appreciation of our culture and society.

2011 NGCL participants at Parramatta West Primary School [photo courtesy of Ben Wright, Australian Embassy, Bangkok]


Next Generation Community Leaders Alumni Event

Following the completion of six highly successful annual NGCL visits to Australia, the ATI sponsored an alumni event for all past participants in the program. This event was held in Bangkok on 12 May 2011 with ATI Chairman, Mr Mike Courtnall, and ATI Board member, Mr John Hancock, in attendance. The alumni event gave 24 past participants the chance to exchange stories and experiences from their visits and to build contacts with each other, creating on-going and long lasting personal and professional relationships.

Thai Media Visit

Three Thai journalists in the field of arts and culture visited Australia from 11 to 18 March 2011. The journalists were Anant Lerpradit (Chief Reporter, Krungthep Turakij newspaper), Rungfa Limhassanaikul (Senior Reporter, Season magazine) and Weerawut Ujjutamanus (Editor, Hamburger magazine). The Australian Embassy Bangkok’s Public and Cultural Diplomacy Director, Ms Piyarat Suksiri, accompanied the participants. The purpose of the visit was to expose the journalists to Australian art and culture, including Australian education in the arts and Australian Government policy supporting the arts. The journalists attended the Inverloch Jazz Festival, visited the Gertrude Contemporary Art Space in Melbourne, the Victorian College of Arts and Music, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, met with the chief Executive Officer, Asialink and attended the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. In Sydney the journalists met with the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Council for the Arts and Mr Michael Laverty, Managing Director of Tropfest and ATI Board member. They also received a backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House, toured the Powerhouse Museum, visited the Thulli Dreaming Aboriginal Dance Troup, and attended the YouTube Symphony Orchestra Woodwind Ensemble recital. Feedback from the participants was very positive and the journalists were impressed by Australia’s rich, modern and creative art and cultural scene and the abundance of Australian artistic talent.

NGCL Alumni participants with Mr Mike Courtnall (ATI Chair) and Mr John Hancock (ATI Board member), Bangkok [photo courtesy Ben Wright, Australian Embassy, Bangkok]


ATI Elite Swimming Coach Scholarship

The ATI approached the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) in late 2010 to discuss the possibility of funding an elite scholarship program for Thai coaches or athletes, giving them full autonomy to choose the sport and coach/athlete option that would best suit their requirements. The Thailand Swimming Association nominated, through the SAT, Mr Sathit Hongthong (a swimming coach from the Chalermprakuiat Youth Centre) to take part in the scholarship program. Nunawading Swimming Club in Melbourne agreed to host Mr Hongthong for a four week program with Mr Rohan Taylor nominated as the high performance swim coach that would mentor him for the duration of his scholarship.

The scholarship allowed Mr Hongthong to attend daily training sessions, assist with athlete sports science testing, attend strength conditioning workouts, assist with video and bio-mechanic sessions, meet with the Victorian Institute of Sport and travel to the Australian Short Course Swimming Championships in Adelaide. Courtesy calls were also arranged for Mr Hongthong to meet the President of the Swimming Australia Board, Mr David Urquhart, and the Australian National Head Swimming Coach, Mr Leigh Nugent.

The scholarship program was very successful and Mr Hongthong will make a significant contribution to the development of a Thai swimming coach training course. He will be able to implement best practice training methods and is looking at ways to implement the regular development and updating of athletes technical and tactical skills, as well as initiating the Target Operation Model of analysis and results assessment.


Thailand Universities Guitar Tour

This tour is a cultural relations outreach project that aims to enhance Australia’s social and cultural relations with Thailand, as well as promote education links. The tour features Australian guitarist Andy Garcia, Thai guitarist Jiraphan Angsawanon and German-Thai classical guitarist Hucky Eichelmann. The ATI is co-sponsoring this collaborative project between the Australian Embassy Bangkok and Asia Music International. The tour program includes workshops on guitar technique, interpretation and skills development and a series of concerts throughout regional Thailand. In the North-East region guitar students will also have a chance to participate in a guitar competition initiated by Mahasarakham University.

Trade Policy Course

The ATI funded the attendance of a Thai Ministry of Commerce official at the Office of Trade Negotiation’s Trade Policy Course in Canberra from 11 to 13 May 2011. The course covered a range of trade policy issues, as well as topics on the World Trade Organisation and Free Trade Agreements plus industry key note speakers, and negotiation skill workshops.

The Australia-ASEAN Emerging Leaders Programme (A2ELP)

This program was established as a platform to extend the capacity of emerging leaders in ASEAN and Australia and build better relationships and shared understanding across our wider region. The program introduced emerging leaders and professionals to each other in a format that encouraged them to explore regional and global issues and concerns of current common interest together. It also increased participants’ appreciation and understanding of the different political, cultural, social and religious perspectives represented and exposed participants to the thinking of some senior political, business, and academic figures from around South-East Asia. The ATI funded a Thai delegate to attend this program which was held in Kuala Lumpur between 29 May and 3 June 2011.


DATE LOCATION

25 November 2010 Canberra

28 March 2011 Sydney

27 June 2011 Sydney

The period 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011 represents the sixth full financial year of the ATI’s operations since it was established in 2005. Meetings

The Advisory Board is required to meet at least three times per year. ATI Board meetings held during the reporting period were:

Remuneration

Members of the ATI Advisory Board receive a “Category 2” daily fee for ATI business at rates determined under the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973 for part-time holders of public offices. Members are also entitled to reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred on ATI business. Applications for Funding

The ATI grant program is advertised on the DFAT and ATI websites. Funding guidelines and copies of the application form are available on the ATI website.

Grant rounds are usually advertised in major Australian newspapers at least one weekend before the round is opened. Thai language and English language advertisements are also placed in major Thai newspapers at the same time.

Rounds are currently held twice a year and are kept open for a minimum of four weeks to allow for the submission of applications. Auditor’s Report

The Australian National Audit Office examines the financial affairs of the Australia-Thailand Institute as part of its examination of the accounts of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Industrial Democracy and Workplace Diversity

Secretariat staff are covered by the industrial democracy and workplace diversity provisions of DFAT, including the Enterprise Agreement. Freedom of Information

The ATI received no applications under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 in 2010-11.

AUSTRALIA-THAILAND INSTITUTE

Strategic Plan 2009-12

Administrative Overview


AUSTRALIA-THAILAND INSTITUTE

Strategic Plan 2009-12

Appendix A

Mission statementTo broaden and deepen the relationship between Australia and Thailand and to undertake and support programs that strengthen next generation links between Australia and Thailand.

The functions of the ATI are to:

1) Provide advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), on ways to enhance Australia’s political, economic, social and cultural relations with Thailand;

2) Develop an annual Business Plan of activities aimed at implementing the ATI’s objectives. The Business Plan will recommend expenditure on those activities from funds allocated to the ATI;

3) Administer a grants program under the priority areas of the Business Plan;

4) Organise visit programs, carry out joint activities with other organisations and leverage with other DFAT Foundations, Councils and Institutes; and

5) Prepare an Annual Program Report by 31 October each year for submission to the Minister.

Accordingly, this Strategic Plan sets out the ATI’s goals and strategic programs. The Strategic Plan will be supplemented by a Business Plan for each financial year detailing activities more precisely and recommending expenditures for those activities from the funds allocated to the ATI.


Goals In order to promote and strengthen the Australia-Thailand bilateral relationship, the Australia-Thailand Institute will pursue four goals:

1. Contribute to the development of Australia’s political and economic relations with Thailand and support Australia’s broader diplomatic objectives in Thailand.

2. Broaden awareness and understanding in Australia and Thailand of each other’s culture, values and traditions, including sport.

3. Generate increased institutional and people-to-people contacts between Australia and Thailand.

4. Publicly promote the Australia-Thailand relationship and establish relations through media and alumni activities in order to facilitate long-term bilateral links.

StrategiesThe Australia – Thailand Institute will adopt the following strategies to meet its goals.

• Create and strengthen networks, contacts, partnerships and/or institutional linkages

• Capitalise on partnerships which increase overall value of activities

• Provide seed funding for activities which will become self-sustaining

• Support activities which have the potential to deliver medium to longer term outcomes, including through institutions, groups or individuals

• Facilitate a broad geographic spread of activities both in Australia and Thailand

• Leverage from high profile events to maximise benefits and the effective use of resources

• Promote complementarities and avoid duplication with other institutions active in Australia-Thailand relations

• Collaborate in programs of mutual interest with other DFAT Asia-focused Foundations, Councils and Institutes

The ATI will conduct a regular review and evaluation of its programs to determine the extent of their impact on the bilateral relationship.

MeetingsThe Advisory Board will meet at least three times a year, and at least one of these meetings will consider the Business Plan for the following year.


Appendix B

AUSTRALIA-THAILAND INSTITUTE FINANCIAL INFORMATION 2010-11


FUNDINGPROGRAMS

ACTIVITIES/EXPENSES

Community Programs

Next Generation Community Leaders Visit

Elite Swimming Coach Scholarship

JEM - Mao Yao Hill Tribes Textiles Program

Canberra Grammar - Tha Ma Khaeng School

IT Room Project

Free the Bears Fund - Bears For Thought

Sub-total Community Programs

Economics and Trade

BOI Tafta Seminar, Melbourne

Aust-Thai Business Council -

Resurgent Thailand Seminar

Sub-total Economics and Trade

Public Policy

Thai Ministry of Commerce official -

attendance at Trade Policy Course

Australia - ASEAN Emerging Leaders

Programme - Thai participant

Sub-total Public Policy

Culture and the Arts

Media Visit

Next Generation Community Leaders

Visit Alumni Event, Bangkok

Thailand Universities Guitar Tour

IRGP

$COST

$16,597.82

$6,000.00

$19,306.00

$41,903.82

$10,000.00

$10,000.00

OTHER

$COST

$22,406.47

$19,155.16

$41,561.63

$25,956.56

$25,956.56

$6,627.27

$2,336.00

$8,963.27

$15,939.64

$5,323.12

$15,000.00


PROGRAMS

Southern Cross University -

Krabi Cultural Engagement Project

Giles Ryder - Thailand Australia

Light Space Festival

Asialink - Arts Residency Program 2011

QL2 Centre for Youth Dance -

Toes on the Edge

Adelaide International Film Festival -

Thai Cinema Strand

Aust Catholic University - Buddhist

Art Community Development Project

Helen Stacey - Border Crossing

Art Project

Brisbane Thai Food and Culture Festival

Melbourne Thai Food and Culture

Festival

Sub-total Culture and the Arts

Education

University of Sydney - Democratic

Governance and Human Rights Program

Melbourne Graduate School of Education -

Teaching in Buri Ram Province

La Trobe University - Young Musllim

Leadership Training

Initiatives of Change - Asia Pacific

Youth Conference

ANU - Building and Sustaining Research

Capacity of Academic Staff Through

IRGP

$COST

$15,000.00

$12,000.00

$1,000.00

$4,534.00

$10,270.82

$10,000.00

$5,000.00

$57,804.82

$10,000.00

OTHER

$COST

$15,000.00

$10,000.00

$61,262.76

$10,000.00

$10,000.00

$15,000.00

$9,000.00

FUNDING


FUNDINGPROGRAMS

ACTIVITIES/EXPENSES

Education (continued)

Collaborative Research and

Postgraduate Supervision

Education Radio Productions -

Talkback Classroom

Royal Life Saving Society -

SwimSafe Thailand

RMIT - Promoting Midwifery

Care through Education Exchange

Global Entrepreneurial Education -

Phuket/Darwin Education Initiative

Sub-total Education

Science, Technology and Innovation

IPM Technologies - Integrated Pest

Management in Northern Thailand

Asialink - Community Mental

Health Partnerships

University of Sydney - Forensic

Science Training

James Cook University -

MangroveWatch Thailand

Sub-total Science, Technology

and Innovation

TOTAL PROGRAMS

IRGP

$COST

$14,000.00

$8,000.00

$19,680.00

$9,800.00

$6,000.00

$67,480.00

$17,500.00

$18,900.00

$17,700.00

$15,175.00

$69,275.00

$246,463.64

OTHER

$COST

$44,000.00

$181,744.22


FUNDINGADMINISTRATION

Advisory Board meeting 1

(25 November 2010 in Canberra)


(28 March 2011 in Sydney)


(27 June 2011 in Sydney)

Board/Secretariat associated costs

Board Members travel to Thailand

ATI 2009-10 Annual Report

SmartyGrants software

ATI 2011-12 grants advertising

Thai translation of grants guidelines

TOTAL ADMINISTRATION

TOTAL EXPENDITURE (PROGRAM

AND ADMINISTRATION)

Unallocated funds 2010-11

09-10 carry-overs

TOTAL

IRGP

$COST

OTHER

$COST

$7,173.98

$10,267.32

$11,400.07

$1,532.10

$4,266.29

$862.41

$1,393.64

$10,802.41

$211.11

$47,909.33

$476,117.19

$19,081.25

$4,801.56

$500,000.00

australia-thailand institute

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