Australia’s Leaders in International Affairs

The Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) has been promoting interest in and understanding of international affairs in Australia for more than 85 years. As a part of this mandate, the AIIA launched a Fellows program in 2008 to recognise exceptional contributions to Australia’s international relations.

The AIIA congratulates the following people who have been recognised as Fellows of the Australian Institute of International Affairs (FAIIA) for 2015:

• The Hon Kim Beazley AC, for his distinguished contribution to Australia’s international relations most recently as Australia’s Ambassador to the United States of America.

• Geraldine Doogue AO, for her distinguished contribution to public awareness of international affairs through her role as a journalist.

• The Hon Alexander Downer AC, for his distinguished contribution to Australia’s foreign policy, including his achievements as Australia’s longest serving Minister for Foreign Affairs and as Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

• Dr Ken Henry AC, for his distinguished contribution to Australia’s foreign policy in the areas of finance and economic policy.

• David Irvine AO, for his distinguished contribution to Australia’s security, including his service as Director-General of ASIO and ASIS.

• The Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG, for his distinguished contribution to international law and human rights, including his leadership on an inquiry into human rights abuses in North Korea for the United Nations Human Rights Council.

• Professor John Ravenhill, for his distinguished contribution to the disciplines of international relations and international political economy.

• Dr Elizabeth Reid AO FASSA, for her distinguished contribution to international aid and development, including through her involvement with the United Nations.

• Penny Wensley AC, for her distinguished contribution to Australia’s international relations as a career diplomat.

The overriding criterion for selection was that the person has achieved a high level of distinction in, and made a distinguished contribution to, Australia’s international relations. Nominations received from AIIA members and others were assessed in confidence by a selection committee made up of members of AIIA’s National Executive Team and existing Fellows. For a full list of Fellows of the AIIA since 2008 see: www.internationalaffairs.org.au/about-us/fellows-of-the-aiia/

Background Information

The Australian Institute of International Affairs was established in 1933 as an independent non-political body to promote interest in and understanding of international affairs. It operates nationwide with more than 1500 members across seven State and Territory branches. For more information see www.internationalaffairs.org.au

To Nominate a Candidate for 2016, please contact Melissa Conley Tyler, National Executive Director, on ceo@international affairs.org.au