Generational Change in Asia
The region is undergoing a cycle of change in its leadership and society. On the one hand, a new generation of (35 - 50 year old) is now coming into positions of political, economic and military influence and leadership. This new generation of leaders will face a number of continuing internal and external policy challenges. This includes maintaining their country's economic development, responding to social forces unleashed by economic reforms of the past decade, to navigating the challenges of 'global terrorism', global economic volatility and the post-Cold War pattern of international relations.
On the other hand, within the region's social dynamics, a rapid transformation driven by the growing influence of the twenty and thirty year olds, are beginning to exert their political and economic influence over their country's development. They are young, cosmopolitan, mostly western educated, globalised in their thinking and high spenders.
Asia's generational transition raises new questions about how the region will develop in the next 5 to 10 years and its implications for Australia.
Tracking, understanding and acting on these changes becomes even more crucial for Australia as we continue to deepen our engagement in the region.
The Project
The primary aim of the Generational Change in Asia project is to inject new thinking and perspective on the complex changes developing in the Asia Pacific region. This aim will be realised through:
1) Research - developing research projects, generating briefing papers and publications around the following themes:
- Australia's transnational professionals;
- Pop culture, cyberspace and nationalism;
- Asia's emerging power elites: Inside Asia's politics and business networks;
- Political participation, social movements and collective action; and
- Defining 'Asian' identity: Crisis of identity or identity in crisis
2) Asia Dialogues - conducting regular briefing, lectures and seminars by scholars, corporate leaders and policy-makers.
3) Conference - an annual conference event examining generational change themes.
4) Leadership program - a regular leadership training program targeting young professionals in Australia and the region that focuses on building effective skills required in dealing with a rapidly changing environment.
Project Manager:
Rachel Nolan
Tel: +612 9036 5146
Email: