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This paper examines the strategic arguments articulated in calls for the teaching and learning of Asia in schools. “Asia literacy” is currently framed as a necessary “solution” for Australian education, but acceptance of this “solution” into the mainstream educational policy agenda has been problematised as a neoliberal and neocolonial construct. Subsequent policy debate indicates the dominance of an economic rationale that is seemingly impossible to resist. This paper suggests that critical policy approaches can be used to identify alternatives to these dominant frameworks, which imagine Asia literacy in alternate ways. Re-imagining the “solution” offers three alternatives: working within an economic agenda; restructuring Asia literacy away from a distinct policy agenda; and treating policy gaps as spaces in which teachers can generate locally relevant possibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Analyzes Taiwanese immigrants settlement experiences in Australia. Socio-demographic profile of Taiwanese immigrants; Factors that motivated Taiwanese to emigrate to Australia; Examination of their social and economic incorporation into Australian society.

Reports on developments concerning Asian studies in Australia as of April 1995. Includes the Asia Research Center's (ARC) development of a multidimensional strategy for dealing with questions on the country's changing Asian environment; Publication of working papers; Holding of several briefings on the political and economic conditions in Asia.

This paper takes an interdisciplinary approach to the history and politics of the development of Indonesian language studies within Australia. It examines the effect on Indonesian language education of government policies such as the National Asian Languages and Studies in Australian Schools (NALSAS) strategy, and responses developed by Indonesian language educators at the tertiary level. It suggests that, in order to achieve a more complete understanding of such issues as changes in the popularity of Indonesian language studies at the tertiary level, or the development of language education per se, it is necessary to broaden the frame of reference to include not only national policies but also politics. The impact of ideological, social, political, national and international frameworks also needs to be considered. Stakeholders may be able to effect improvements if the academic sector and government bodies identify and consciously pursue common goals, notably through a critique of the status of language teachers and continuous, collaborative consultation between the stakeholders on planning and problem solving. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Working Holiday is a relatively new but rapidly growing form of transnational mobility. In Australia, Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) form the largest group of Japanese temporary migrants, and their numbers have been increasing. In this paper, I will discuss the experience of returned WHMs in the light of Japanese labour practice. For my interlocutors, the motivations for taking a Working Holiday were frequently related to their dissatisfaction with their status and future prospects as workers. In order to understand this popular but under-researched form of transnational migration, it is therefore important to consider their self-perceptions about their worker status when they re-entered the Japanese workforce, and how they think their life course has changed due to the Working Holiday experience. The employment experience of WHMs upon their return to Japan illuminates their position in the home society in which their migratory decision-making was situated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on developments relevant to Asian studies centers in various universities and colleges in Australia. Includes National Center for South Asian Studies; Indian Ocean Center for Peace Studies; Australian APEC Study Center; Australia South Asia Research Center.

Focuses on Australia's Institutes and Centers of Asian Studies. 1995 characterized by growth and stability; Three new centers; Includes National Center for South Asian Studies; Indian Ocean Center for Peace Studies; Key Center for Asian Languages and Studies; National Korean Studies Center; The Australian APEC Studies Center, Center for Vietnamese Studies; Australia South Asia Research Center; Contemporary China Center.

The article discusses the diplomatic relations between Taipei, Taiwan and Australia from 1966-1972. In 1966, the decision of Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt to open a diplomatic mission in the capital has been viewed as one of the more unique episodes in the history of Australian diplomacy in Asia during the Cold War. Though formal, it is noted in the article that the diplomatic relations with the Nationalist Chinese government on Taiwan has not been a priority by the Australian government. Australia has maintained a nominal alliance with the nationalists in China, but does little to develop or strengthen their relationship.

The article presents a study about a workshop on Internet domains between China and India. This study was conducted by Melbourne University's Asia Institute in 2006 in Australia. According to the study, there is a growing attempt by researchers with Asian-language expertise to move beyond the Anglophone methodologies and paradigms which have so far structured the disciplines on Internet and Web studies. As the proposal for the Asia Institute's initiative, millions of people in Asian societies view the Internet through a different linguistic and cultural lens than that established by Bill Gates.

Traces the evolution of ideas on the question of how Australians might become Asia literate. Significance of the Rudd Report, or the 'Asian Languages and Australia's Economic Future'; Establishment of the contested nature of the context for the study of Asian languages and cultures in Australia; Debate about which languages should be prioritized in the Australian education system.

Presents an analysis of the 1993 Australian Election Study indicating that the increase in perceptions of threat from Indonesia is primarily held by older Australians, those who hold protectionist trade views and those who are concerned about East Timor. Themes in Australia-Indonesia relations; Themes examined in the Australian Election Study.

Presents the historic overview of the innovation in post-secondary education in Australia. Involvement of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector in the teaching of Asian Studies; Uncertainty about the need of the program at the end of the Pacific War; 1950 reopening of the program; VET Asia-related courses in the 1980s; Study of Japanese language from the mid-1980s.

Treaties allowing investors to initiate arbitration claims directly against host states for illegally interfering with cross-border investments are becoming increasingly common in Asia, but Australia announced in 2011 that it will no longer include such protections in future treaties. The backdrop to this decision includes keen interest from Asia in foreign direct investment (FDI) into Australia’s resources sector, meaning that potential investors may not be significantly deterred by a lack of arbitration provisions in future treaties. This article argues, however, that Australia’s policy shift risks undermining the entire investor-state arbitration (ISA) system, with the earliest impact being felt by major pending treaty negotiations by Australia with Japan, China and Korea (respectively); and that the shift may significantly reduce FDI flows or have other adverse effects. The article criticises the cost-benefit analysis of ISA protections in one pivotal study conducted in 2010 by an Australian Government think-tank, arguing that this assessment is insufficiently nuanced. Instead, the article presents a justification for more tailored and moderate changes to ISA provisions in future treaties. Its tentative interest-group analysis suggests, however, that there may be surprisingly few public or private constituencies that would prefer such moderate reforms, and that most may well prefer the more extreme position recently adopted by Australia, despite the damage that will be done to the ISA system as a whole. The article also argues that Australia’s policy shift and think-tank analysis may make Asian countries more cautious about ISA, especially those (like the Philippines and Vietnam) which have traditionally been more cautious about this dispute resolution system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses the Rudd Report's policy prescription for a national strategy for Asia literacy in the Australian education system. It states that the report can be seen as a political and a practical solution to the longstanding inertia in the Australian government and education systems on Asian languages and studies. Moreover, the Report's policy process offers insights for other nations in terms of how an experiment in linking the study of Asian languages and cultures to the knowledge economy developed in one nation in response to regional and global forces. In addition, the Hawke-Keating period on the restructuring of the Australian economy, the geopolitical fluidity, the economic stability and the regionalism have been discussed.

The article presents a case study on the use of a Social Networking System (SNS) called Cyworld mini-hompy by Korean students studying in Australia. This system combines a photo gallery, message board, guestbook, video, and personal bulletin board. Moreover, mini-hompy is regularly accessed by young and old in South Korea.

The article discusses the implications for language policy and planning (LPP) in the rise and fall of Indonesian in Australian Schools. The section explores on the language planning and policy theory and practice, specifically language-in-education policy theory and practice, to examine Indonesian in the Australian education system. It examines why Indonesian study has declined so steeply, while enrollments in other languages have remained relatively stable. It provides a brief overview of the field of LPP, of LPP in Australia, and of the study of Indonesian in Australia.

The author focuses on the increase in the number of Asian international students in Australian universities. The author explains that international students have been studying in Australian universities to improve technical knowledge and skills, and contribute to economic development in their mother country. The author also discusses his investigation in the areas of higher education, immigration and scholarships provided by the Australian Government.

The article examines the concept of gender identity of male Chinese migrants in Australia. Gender is defined as a process and a practice organized in terms of reproductive divisions of people into male and female identities. The gender notion is reinforced and established as a heterosexuality behavior. The meanings associated with gender and sexuality are subject for cultural variation.

The article focuses on the activities of ethnic community organizations in Australia. It uses the case study of the Japan Club of Sydney as a group of middle-class Asian immigrants to show their engagement with welfare multiculturalism. It suggests that middle-class immigrants have experienced problems and need support from multicultural welfare policies.

Examines some of the complexities of cultural, ethnic and national belonging that confound the equation between culture and citizenship within the Chinese diaspora in Australia. Overview of the cultural citizenship and the cultural underpinnings of modern citizenship; Possibility of defining the conditions for cultural citizenship in any given community; Importance of formal education to the Chinese communities.

Focuses on the enhancement of trade and economic cooperation between Korea and Australia. Details about the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation trade policy imperatives affecting the Asia-Pacific region; Trends of the Korean and Australian trade; Intensity between Korean and Australian trade.

Focuses on the acquisition of Asian languages and literacy in Australia. Programs designed to raise the `Asia-literacy' of teachers; Greatest uniform cause for development of self-knowledge; Intercultural perception.

Reports on the Generic Curriculum for the National Languages Project developed by writers from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Applied Languages Unit with representatives from both educational and business institutions. Structure and mode of delivery; Assessment; Specific language curriculum from the generic curriculum.

Focuses on language training for vocational language purposes in Australia. Ways and purposes of Languages Other Than English (LOTE) education; Organizations involved in language training; System of teaching and learning; Candidates for language training.

Comments on Australian and Literacy Council chairman Rodney Cavalier's article on Asian studies published in the July 1995 issue of the periodical `Australian Language Matters.' Influence of national economic interests on education policy; Inadequacy of the training of Asian language teachers; Views on the selection of language which will be prioritized; Use of Asian language skills in business.

Discusses the trends in Asian studies in Australia. Prioritization of Asian studies in Australia since 1990; Expansion of Asia-related activity in Australia in 1995; Attitudes of Australians concerning Asia; Tasks facing Asian studies in Australia.

Examines relations between Australia and China concerning science and technology. Analysis of the compatibility of the objectives and interests of the two countries; Difference in perceptions of cooperation; Difference between the perceptions of scientists and government officials and institutions; Realization of the stated aims and objectives of the exchange agreement.