Recent Events

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE COLLEGE
CENTRE FOR DEFENCE AND STRATEGIC STUDIES    

CDSS RECENT EVENTS - JANUARY/MARCH 2008

Visit to College by Ambassador Robert Hill

CDSS was fortunate, on 18 March, to have the opportunity to host the Honorable Robert Hill, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations at lunch.  Ambassador Hill provided his insights into the role and function of the United Nations in the contemporary security environment, and his perceptions of Australia’s relationship with the organisation.  He responded openly and frankly to a number of questions from CDSS course members, both Australian and those from overseas.

International Night

One of the highlights of the CDSS calendar year is the International Night, and the event held on 15 March 2008 was no exception.  Led by the overseas course members, the International Night provides an opportunity for the entire course membership, and their families, to share in the cultural and culinary diversity of their countries of origin.  Highlights of the evening included dancing, singing and recitals by course members in traditional national dress.  The care and time taken in the preparation of a myriad of national dishes was outstanding.  A great night was had by all who attended.

Visit to College by Admiral Mullen

On 22 February, the Australian Defence College welcomed Admiral Mullen, United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who addressed both the CDSS and the Australian Command and Staff College on his perceptions of the key strategic leadership challenges of the modern day military, and his perceptions of the future for coalition operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The brief offered a unique opportunity for members of the Australian Defence College to gain insights into the strategic priorities of the United States military.

Block One – Frameworks for Strategic Leadership

Block One, ‘Frameworks for Strategic Leadership’, was successfully conducted over the period 21 January to 7 March.  Block One examined the fundamental elements for understanding strategic leadership and command at the higher level.

Lieutenant General Hickling (Retd), former Chief of Army, opened the Block with a number of astute insights into the ‘urban myths’ and realities concerning strategic leadership in the contemporary security environment.  He underscored the need for course members, as future leaders, to prepare themselves to provide clear guidance in circumstances of strategic ambiguity, and to take individual responsibility for their actions and decisions. 

In Week Two, course members examined critical thinking techniques.  Professor David Kang from Dartmouth College explored whether there is a need to develop new analytical frameworks through which Western commentators should consider Asian security dynamics.  This led course members to consider, among other issues, whether a ‘balance of power’ or alternative theoretical approach is the best model for explaining Asian international relations.  Later in the same week, Mr Waleed Aly, an Australian lawyer and Muslim community leader, presented an Islamic view of the contemporary international system.  This presentation sharpened course members’ appreciation of the extent to which the way we see the world is an outcome of our cognitive and cultural traditions.

The CDSS was very fortunate to have the opportunity in Week Three to hear reflections of senior leaders on the challenges of higher command.  Speakers included: Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston; Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Shepherd; and Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General David Hurley.  Later in the same week, course members were introduced to the senior mentors who will join the course periodically to help guide them through the concepts and issues that will be introduced throughout the year.  These senior mentors include: Vice Admiral (Retd.) David Shackleton, former Chief of Navy; Lieutenant General Hickling, former Chief of Army; Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Bob Treloar, former Commander Australian Theatre; and Mr Cavan Hogue, Mr Robert Laurie, and Mr Geoff Millar, all of whom are former Australian Ambassadors.

Jindabyne Leadership Activity

Course members agreed that the highlight of Week Four was the Group Leadership Activity to Jindabyne and Mount Kosciusko conducted from 13-15 February.  The purpose of the activity was to provide course members with the opportunity to participate in group activities designed to enhance leadership and to gain a greater understanding of the cultural diversity within the group.  The event took place over two perfect days and saw course members successfully reach the tip of Mount Kosciuszko, the highest point in Australia.   The event was uniformly enjoyed by course members and contributed significantly to enhancing the already strong group dynamic. 

Week Five of Block One was conducted on behalf of CDSS by the Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law (APCML).  For the second year, the APCML presented an International Law Module to course members.  Together with military staff from the APCML, course members also heard from Professor of Law at the University of Melbourne, Professor Stuart Kaye and Professor of Law at the Australian National University, Professor Simon Bronitt. The week provided course members with the opportunity to ‘think outside the box’ regarding the role of both black letter law and the different ‘rule of law’ concepts that impact upon command decision making. 

Week Six commenced with the conduct of the Cranlana Program by Dr David Neal, a member of the Victorian Bar and legal policy consultant. Through a moderated session of reading, study and directed discussion, the purpose of the program was to enhance course members’ understanding of the philosophical, ethical and social issues that affect strategic decision making. 

For the remainder of Weeks Six and Seven, course members were led through a series of stimulating discussions that examined several major theories of international relations and that consolidated their understanding of strategic security concepts.  These included presentations on the relevance of international relations theory to the practitioner, the meaning of security, and the role of regional security architecture.  The course also examined implications arising from the end of the Cold War, particularly as it relates to the contemporary role of the United States and the United Nations. CDSS was delighted to have Professor Michael Cox, Chair in International Relations at the London School of Economics, join the faculty as a Visiting Fellow for the fortnight.  

CDSS RECENT EVENTS - APRIL 2008

Overseas Study Tour

From 12-27 April 2008, CDSS undertook its annual Overseas Study Tour (OST).  The aim of the OST is to provide course members with an opportunity to enhance their study of the contemporary strategic setting by participating in defence engagement with counterpart organisations and senior strategic policy makers in the region.  The core component of Block Two of the Defence and Strategic Studies Course covers the major powers in the Asia Pacific: the United States, China and Japan. 

The tour saw the course visit China (Nanjing, Shanghai and Beijing).  From there, the course split into two, with half visiting Korea (Seoul) and the remainder traveling to Japan (Tokyo).  The visit to China allowed course members to analyse the strategic significance of China’s economic and security interests within its borders, within the region, and globally.  For those visiting Korea, examination of the future security of the Korean Peninsula was at the centre of discussions, while in Japan course members focused on the security relationship between Japan and the United States.  Other highlights of the trip included visits to the Great Wall of China, the Demilitarised Zone in Korea, and participation in ANZAC Day ceremonies in both Korea and Japan.