Dr. Cordesman speaks at the U.S. Consulate in Melbourne.

Assessing Afghanistan and Pakistan

Melbourne — 22 October 2009

U.S. national security expert Anthony Cordesman discusses the challenges ahead for coalition forces in Afghanistan and Pakistan during his visits to Hobart and Melbourne. Dr. Cordesman held a series of meetings across the Consular district, and spoke to the University of Tasmania, Monash University and the Australian Institute of International Affairs.

Consul General Ken Chern recognizes the achievements of Golden Key members.

Giving Students the Golden Key

Perth — 20 October 2009

The U.S. Consul General, Dr. Ken Chern, addressed an audience of about 400 students, faculty members, and guests at the Golden Key New Member Reception held at Edith Cowan University October 20.

In his speech, the Consul General cited the organization's commitment to scholarship, career development, leadership, and service. He remarked that Ms. Edith Cowan, for whom ECU was named, exemplified these ideals and values — persevering in her studies despite the loss of her parents while still a young girl; helping to found the Karrakatta Club and leading its fight for Australian women's suffrage; striving for the welfare of disadvantaged women and children; and becoming the first woman to serve in any state or federal parliament in Australia in 1921. Noting that ECU had now grown to over 20,000 students, 4,000 of them from abroad, Dr. Chern stressed the importance of ECU's role in the multicultural context of Western Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Citing lessons in leadership that he had learned in the multicultural contexts of teaching in Hong Kong and serving in U.S. embassies and consulates throughout Asia, he called on the students to be bold, optimistic, and clear in their leadership and in their service to their communities and the nation.

Among the other speakers at the event were ECU Vice Chancellor Professor Kerry Cox, and ECU Chancellor the Honorable Dr. Hendy Cowan, former Western Australian Deputy Premier and grand-nephew of Ms. Edith Cowan.

Founded by a group of undergraduates and faculty members at a university in Atlanta, Georgia in 1977, Golden Key is an academic honor society which recognizes and encourages scholastic achievement and excellence. It now has chapters in seven countries, with more than 1.5 million lifetime members.

Dr. Cordesman takes questions at a seminar in Canberra.

Assessing Afghanistan

Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane — October 2009

U.S. national security expert Anthony Cordesman discusses the challenges ahead for coalition forces in Afghanistan and Pakistan during a seminar in Canberra. Dr. Cordesman is currently in Australia as part of trip arranged by the State Department and will visit Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Perth.

You can watch portions of Dr. Cordesman's remarks in Canberra on our YouTube site.

Daniel Price meets with finance officials at the U.S. Embassy in Canberra.

Exploring Cost of Financial Crisis

Canberra — 8 October 2009

Daniel Price, a lawyer and former advisor to President Bush, discusses the new roles for APEC, the G20 and the impact of the financial crisis and climate change on regional economies during presentations in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.

To hear portions of Price's talk, visit our YouTube site.