Australia’s African Engagement

A presentation by Matthew Neuhaus
Assistant Secretary, Africa Branch, DFAT

Wednesday 22 February, 6:00pm
Refreshments served from 5:30pm

AIIA Conference Centre – Stephen House
32 Thesiger Court
Deakin ACT 2600

Australia’s Africa engagement – encompassing 54 bilateral relationships on one continent of over 1 billion people at the frontline of some of the world’s key economic and security challenges – is more complex and diverse than popularly understood. Over 200 Australian companies, largely in the mining sector, have invested more than $30 billion in the continent. Trade and investment is growing as Africa develops. The growing Africa diaspora in Australia – with over 400,000 African born people in Australia – also plays an increasing role in the relationship. DFAT’s Assistant Secretary for Africa and former Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Matthew Neuhaus, will discuss Australia’s growing engagement in Africa in the context of the continent’s increasing economic and political importance in the world.
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Mr Matthew Neuhaus commenced as Assistant Secretary, Africa Branch in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) on 27 July 2015. Prior to this, he was the Australian Ambassador to Zimbabwe from January 2011 to March 2015 (accredited also to DRC, Malawi and Zambia).

Mr Neuhaus has served in several senior positions in DFAT in Canberra, including as the Head of the Pacific Engagement Taskforce and Head of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Policy Task Force in 2010. He was the Director of the Political Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London 2002-2008. His previous postings with DFAT include Kenya (1983-1985), Papua New Guinea (1988-1989), New York (1991-94) and Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria – accredited also to Ghana, Sierra Leone, Senegal and The Gambia (1997-2000). He was seconded to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (Senior Adviser, International Division) from 2001-2002.

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This is an AIIA ACT Branch event.

Registration is encouraged through the following link:

https://aiiaact.tidyhq.com/public/events/10544-australia-s-african-engagement

Registration is also available at the door.

From: http://dfat.gov.au/whitepaper/index.html

“This will be Australia’s first foreign policy White Paper since 2003.  The international environment has changed profoundly over the past 13 years.

At the same time, Australia’s engagement with the world has continued to expand. We need to ensure our international engagement continues to deliver prosperity and security for all Australians.

The White Paper will provide a roadmap for advancing and protecting Australia’s international interests and define how we engage with the world in the years ahead.”

For more information on making a public submission see:
file:///C:/Users/David/AppData/Local/Temp/foreign-policy-white-paper-call-for-submissions-2.pdf

Submissions close 28 February 2017.  Email to whitepaper@dfat.gov.au

According to the RDI Network:

“ the Australian Government launched the terms of reference and consultation process for the development of an Australian Foreign Policy White Paper, due for release in September 2017. The call for submissions directly seeks ideas for how the Government can work more effectively with academia and NGOs to advance foreign policy interests, as well as how the Australian aid program can promote prosperity and stability”.

Africanists making a submission might wish to refer to the failure to implement the recommendation of the 2011 Parliamentary Inquiry into Africa that an African Studies Centre be created at an Australian University.

From Dr Nathan Steggel in Canberra:

“Windlab is recruiting for a Project Manager to be based in Nairobi – if you think of interest please send to any African networks.

http://www.windlab.com/sites/default/files/20170124_WindlabAfrica.KenyaPMJobDescription_KP.pdf

https://www.myjobmag.co.ke/readjob/31092/jobs/project-manager-job-at-windlab

Dr Nathan Steggel
GM Operations | Windlab
Level 4, 60 Marcus Clarke Street | Canberra 2601 | Australia
Office: +61-2-6175-4608 | Mobile: +61-433-108-392
Twitter @nathSteggel | nathan.steggel@windlab.com | www.windlab.com