Chargé Dan Clune welcomes participants in the 2009 Fulbright Symposium to a reception at the Embassy.

Fulbright Symposium on Free Trade

Canberra — 25 August 2009

Chargé Dan Clune welcomes participants in the 2009 Fulbright Symposium to a reception at the Embassy. This year’s symposium, which was organized by the University of Queensland, focused on the impact of the US-Australian Free Trade Agreement signed five years ago.

Morey Wolfson (left) meets with senior advisors to the Victorian Premier about climate change and energy policy.

Climate Change Policy From Colorado to Victoria

Melbourne — 24 August 2009

On his visit to Melbourne Morey Wolfson, from the Colorado Governor’s Energy office, met with senior advisors to the Victorian Premier on climate change. Wolfson detailed the many progressive measures Colorado had taken to address climate change, energy security and global warming. The Victorian government representatives were interested to hear of the successes and challenges faced on a state level in the U.S. The meeting was a great opportunity to highlight the similarities between Colorado and Victoria, and the many progressive actions being taken on a state level across the U.S.

Chargé Dan Clune discusses important issues with Melbourne’s youth leaders.

Gaining Youth Perspective

Melbourne — 13 August 2009

Chargé d’Affairs Dan Clune hosted a roundtable with Melbourne’s youth leaders. From think tanks, student unions and the Australian American Youth Leadership Dialogue, the participants asked the Chargé about a range of issues important to young Australians. These issues ranged from the quality of university education in the US, to the changing relationship between Australia, China and the US, the role of new media in Obama’s healthcare reform, and the expectations for Copenhagen and after with climate change.

Director and producer Jeffery Roth indroduces his film “The Wonder of it All” at Melbourne’s Capitol Theatre.

The Wonder of the Moon Landings

Melbourne — 7 August 2009

Melbourne’s Capitol Theatre was filled to near overflowing as more than 350 guests of the Consulate gathered to watch The Wonder of it All, a newly released documentary on the intimate human story of the men behind the Apollo missions. The film features the thoughtful and candid recollections of seven of the 12 surviving moonwalkers. Director and producer Jeffery Roth was on hand in Melbourne to introduce his film and answer many interesting questions from the audience after the screening.

Students from Australia National University students discussing Amar Bakshi’s remarks after the program.

Changing the Dialog

Canberra — 6 August 2009

Students from the Australian National University were among those on hand to hear the insights of Amar Bakshi gained during his interviews with young people around the world on their views of America. Bakshi, who now works for the State department, participated a digital video conference with Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, to talk about outreach to Islamic youth using new media.

Dianella Australian Islamic College Teacher Faizel Bedford, Principal Ahdielah Edries, and CG Ken Chern after the DVC.

“Breaking the Narrative”

Perth — 6 August 2009

Consul General Kenneth Chern hosted a stimulating digital video conference August 6, with Amar Bakshi, Special Assistant to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice. Mr. Bakshi, speaking from Washington, shared his insights on how Muslim youth can use the tools of new media, from the internet and Facebook to text messaging, to enhance dialogue among diverse populations around the world.

Drawing on his recent private experience travelling the world to explore American impacts on the lives of ordinary people, Bashki engaged Perth’s audience of Muslim high-school and university students, researchers and community outreach professionals on issues including “pushing back” against negative “Hollywood” portrayals of Muslims, and on how the innovative use of humor in You-tube videos and other new media can be effective in “breaking the narrative” of difference, radicalism and stereotype. The video conference stimulated a lively discussion among the audience that continued well afterwards.