LAFIA 2008

Political, economic and social changes occurring in the Asia-Pacific region are profoundly affecting Australia’s strategic and economic directions. The Leading Australia’s Future in the Asia Pacific (LAFIA) programme enables senior executives to meet these changes more confidently by giving you context and background for the international dimension of your responsibilities.

LAFIA focuses on key issues important to all areas of government. You will gain insights into the people of the region and what drives them, learn about their institutions, cultural-historic background, their demographic profiles, the socio-economic context, the political and strategic implications and the dynamics of the inter-play between political power-brokers, business entities and government. You will meet senior government, business and community leaders in Australia and overseas, be briefed by diplomatic representatives, visit political and communal sites and successful commercial enterprises and take the opportunity to engage in strategic dialogues with influential persons and decision-makers.

LAFIA is sponsored by the Australian Government to increase understanding of the dynamics of change in the Asia-Pacific political environments and how these may affect Australia.

More than 200 senior executives have participated in LAFIA, now in its fourteenth year. LAFIA continues to succeed because the content is challenging and experience intensely rewarding. From 2005, LAFIA Pacific was organized as a separate stream targeted specifically at the Pacific Region. LAFIA addresses the changing global environment that organizations face while at the same time meeting your specific needs and interests.

The objective of the LAFIA programme cycle is to provide senior Australian officials with a solid grounding in Australia’s Asia-Pacific context and in key related international activities. It enhances strategic leadership, builds senior executive business and management skills, promotes a greater understanding of the region and its significance and establishes valuable contacts and networks.

Scope for 2008:

• Globalisation – pressures and opportunities.
• Asia’s future directions and Australia’s future interests.
• Designing and building international organisations.
• The role of strategic alliances – Australia’s place.
• Promoting Australia’s future integration into the Asia-Pacific.

 Further information is attainable at: http://www.apsc.gov.au/seslearn/lafia.htm

The 2008 LAFIA programme in India, Thailand and Singapore will be conducted by the Australian Public Service Commission in conjunction with the Crawford School of Economics and Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Professor Andrew MacIntyre is the senior academic facilitator for LAFIA 2008.

LAFIA 2008 Dates:

• Two day introductory strategic dialogue in Canberra:
  • 22 - 23 May 2008 (TBC)

• Three week overseas study tour visiting India, Thailand and Singapore:
  • 6 – 25 July 2008

• Reporting and evaluation session in Canberra:
  • 15 August 2008 (TBC)

LAFIA Pacific will run its third programme cycle in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Samoa. Professor Andrew MacIntyre will be the senior academic facilitator for LAFIA Pacific 2008.
LAFIA Pacific 2008 Dates:

• Two day introductory strategic dialogue in Canberra:
  • 4 - 5 September 2008

• Two week overseas study tour visiting Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Samoa :
  • 27 September - 12 October 2008

• Reporting and evaluation in Canberra:
  • 6 November 2008

Further information is attainable at: http://www.apsc.gov.au/seslearn/lafia.htm

• One-to-one interviews designed to tailor programme material specific to client requirements

• A two-day Introductory Strategic Dialogue session held in Canberra. This is an in-depth and focused briefing on Australia’s engagement with the Asia-Pacific region. Senior academics, leaders of Canberra’s diplomatic community and country experts from the Department of Trade will provide learned perspectives about the study-countries and their economies and share insightful analyses derived from many years of personal experience in the region.

• A three-week In-Country Study usually in two or three countries. Through meetings with senior government, business and community leaders, participants observe first-hand the pressures being encountered by Asia-Pacific nations and how these may affect Australia.

• A post-training Reporting and Evaluating Recall session followed by an Alumni Dinner held in Canberra. The Recall session provides the opportunity for participants to reflect on key lessons gained from the programme and the implications of these on their leadership.

Each year the Leading Australia’s Future in the Asia-Pacific (LAFIA) programme involves around twenty senior executives drawn together from the Commonwealth, state and territory public sector. Members of the Senior Executive Band 3 and Band 2 (Deputy Secretary and First Assistant Secretary) are invited to attend.

Institutional clients of the LAFIA programme have included the Reserve Bank Australia, the Department of Environment and Heritage, the Department of Education Science and Training, the Victorian State Services Authority and even the New Zealand Ministry for Social Development.

Further information is attainable at: http://www.apsc.gov.au/seslearn/lafia.htm

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