14 July 2010 | Vol.1, № 4.
An Indian Ocean Dialogue – A Strategically Vital Conversation,
I Would Suggest!
Right Honourable Ms Lisa Scaffidi
Lord Mayor of the City of Perth
Address given at Government House, Perth
6 July 2010
Thank you for the respect to Local Government in inviting me to speak about Perth in the
context of this Dialogue.
By anyone’s measure we all come together at this event with some pretty big questions to
consider. How can we all work together NOW to bring the right focus to such very necessary,
many say long overdue, global dialogue? The effective and appropriate interaction between
our three tiers of government, as well as the role of our citizens, should be core concerns on
the large issues that impact us all.
It is seemingly very timely to once again encourage and contribute to an informed debate on
an Indian Ocean rim that we here in Perth and Western Australia are a key (eastern) part of.
In a time when we are so easily informed, as it happens, on current issues of the day, more
than ever before in our collective history, possibly it could be an interesting twist on
traditional forums to see a citizen led, non-partisan dialogue created to encourage an active
exchange of ideas and input which, in turn, could be channelled up to our Federal political
leaders who, typically, have brokered such dialogues before.
There are some understandably more complicated issues that are always harder to gain
agreement and mutual understanding on. Issues like the seeking of asylum, migration,
matters of defence, fishing or maritime issues, world health, aid and foreign affairs. This is
usually all the responsibility of our Federal Government.
So, rather than the more usual top down approach, what about turning the whole idea of a
dialogue upside down? Through such a paradigm shift maybe we should start small and look
at more common interests first. The phrase “big picture, achievable bits” comes to mind.
If we consider the politics of oil and energy alone (a key driver for our state economy and
this capital city right now), which are likely to have a powerful longer term impact on some
of the trade and strategic dynamics of the Indian Ocean and, perhaps, in years to come
won’t always necessarily be conducive to co-operation, we have a very good reason why my
suggested approach should possibly be considered.
We worked so well together post- the 2004 Boxing Day tsunamis and the impact they had on
us; as a collective we have climate change creating a marked rise in sea levels and ocean
temperatures. Ongoing CO2 emissions are causing acidification of our oceans and so this
alone highlights the need for more joint and focused oceanic research.
On the west coast of the United States there is an amazing oceanic and marine biology
organisation, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Recently, the University of Western
Australia has created a faculty focusing on this important area also, but maybe an entity
similar to Scripps could be a fabulous way in which to see Australia begin a more definite
engagement with this region.
Through this research, undertaken in key Indian Ocean academic institutions, we could
collaborate. Even in the area of health we have great medical institutions, researchers,
Nobel prize winners and great scientists who could lead the way on a wide range of medical
affiliations, just as we have seen happening between our sister city of Nanjing and Perth via
the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital and Royal Perth Hospital.
On an urban front, as a safe, modern and clean capital city – and one of the world’s most
liveable cities according to the Economist magazine, we can and have much to contribute on
an urban policy level as, more than any time in man’s history, our cities are more and more
the place where people live and they are lessening in numbers in the regions in many places
globally.
Did you know that post-World War II, US President Eisenhower came up with the idea for
sister city relationships? This was a way in which, through citizen-to-citizen diplomacy,
people could re-build many of the bridges that had been broken during the tension of war.
Today, most Australian capital cities have up to 20 or more sister city affiliations. Often
maligned as being unnecessary, a country like Australia can leverage great opportunity and
trade for itself via connections with other global cities.
But it need not be a one dimensional/self-interest serving relationship. On the right path,
these relationships can be a real source of allegiance, alliance and action. Perth currently has
ten of these relationships but sadly, none are within the Indian Ocean Rim.
Interestingly, I have just been working with our international staff at the City on the
finalisation of a new brochure for our website and, in my foreword, I made deliberate and
specific reference to the fact that any future global partnerships should ideally be in
Indonesia, India and the Middle East and, no doubt Africa, too. A comment made on the
need to engage with world markets that are increasingly significant but they must be active
and meaningful – not symbolic only.
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We know – and we have heard already this morning – the Indian Ocean Region is a region of
vast political cultural and economic diversity. We are broadly speaking of the peoples
around Asia, Africa, and India.
An area of our globe, our planet Earth, where probably more than 50 per cent of the world’s
population lives and a place representing the greatest diversity of religions and races. A
place of vastly different population levels and therefore too, economic development but,
nevertheless, a region of irrefutable interdependence in what is, after all, “the global
village”.
A region containing very many cities of all sizes.
So, maybe a city focus could be the most appropriate starting point for better collaboration
in an ever shrinking and more globalised world?
At first glance there are some 48 independent littoral and island countries in the Indian
Ocean Region, as well as the stakeholders that include China, France, Japan, Russia, the EU
and the US. Despite so many differences we can, believe it or not, also observe some
amazing similarities. We all mostly have a tropical or temperate climate, our fair share of
natural disasters, pretty impressive reserves of hydrocarbons and zones rich in fish. Much of
the world’s trade crosses the Indian Ocean.
I think it comes down to building collaborative frameworks and then stepping up to the
bigger issues that will always take more time, if not generations, to interpret.
Congratulations to FDI today. I have observed various attempts over the past years on this
type of dialogue. I recall about 15 years ago, an International Forum on the Indian Ocean
rim, which was held here in Perth, in June 1995. This discussion today is a small, but timely,
kick start.
In promoting co-operation, as Lord Mayor of the western gateway capital to our continent,
indeed, our nation, I would hope to be a part of a dialogue that promotes strengthened
relations through capacity building opportunities, collaboration and co-operation for all
participants. From little things, bigger things can grow. Rather than calling for Indian Ocean
rim dialogue, I think we need to rally a little more Indian Ocean rim enthusiasm and,
hopefully, then some ripples of interest on the big Indian Ocean “pond” for all.
Thank you.
*****
Any opinions or views expressed in this paper are those of the individual speaker, unless stated to be those of
Future Directions International.
Published by Future Directions International Pty Ltd.
Desborough House, Suite 2, 1161 Hay Street, West Perth WA 6005 Australia.
Tel: +61 8 9486 1046 Fax: +61 8 9486 4000
E-mail: lluke@futuredirections.org.au Web: www.futuredirections.org.au
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