Woolcott: Asia doesn't want Rudd's new Asia Pacific Community

Richard Woolcott, the PM's Envoy, said on ABC2's News Breakfast that PM Rudd's concept of the Asia Pacific Community has had a lukewarm response after his initial tour of 13 countries in the region. It will be interesting to see whether things will change as the financial crisis deepens, perhaps leaders in the region will see the value of a broader body to deal with issues that cut across political, economic and social divides. Woolcott seems to think that exisiting bodies can adequately deal with these issues.

Woolcott is set to head off again soon to consult and engage leaders and others in the region, including Obama and the new US administration. His report to Rudd is due in mid-December this year.

RA Connect Asia: Report on Chinese Language Education in Australian Schools

Alert: there will be a live interview on Tuesday 11 November at 10.45am EST on Radio Australia's Connect Asia program, with Dr Jane Orton on the report on Chinese Language Education in Australian Schools.

USyd to train students from the Asia Pacific in human rights

Sydney University has announced that it has won a grant from the EU to train post graduate students from the Asia Pacific region in human rights. Partner universities include Gadjah Mada University in Indonesia, Kathmandu Law School in Nepal, the University of Colombo in Sri Lanka, and Mahidol University in Thailand.

The program includes an initial semester and one week intensive course at USyd followed by study at a partner university. Students will do a combination of electives, research dissertation and an internship. The EU grant will fund 30 students from the region for two years, including travel, fees, and per diems.

This USyd announcement is timely given that ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan affirmed ASEAN's push to establish its first human rights body for the 41 year old grouping of Southeast Asian nations. Surin delivered the keynote address at the South East Asian Press Alliance 10 year anniversary dinner on Saturday night in Bangkok.

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