The Australian Institute of International Affairs was represented at the Second Asia Think Tank Summit by National Vice President, Zara Kimpton OAM. The conference was again organised by the Asian Development Bank Institute and the Think Tank and Civil Societies Program of the University of Pennsylvania.

The conference theme was “ Promoting Regional Economic Cooperation and Integration”.   Over 30 institutes were represented from across the Asian region which led to a wide ranging discussion of current conditions in both individual countries and the region as a whole, with some emphasis on the role of think tanks.   Others attending the conference included representatives of the Asian Development Bank, the IMF, and the former ASEAN Secretary-General, Surin Pitsuwan.

Ms Kimpton addressed the AIIA’s role in the session titled “Engaging Policymakers, Journalists, and the Public” with particular reference to the key mechanisms AIIA uses to effectively engage with policymakers, civil society and media.