Earlier this month, the Australian government published an inquiry into the development of the country’s Asia capability titled “Security and Prosperity in Asia: Building Asia Capability in Australia through the Education System and Beyond.” The capability this inquiry sought to evaluate includes the teaching and learning of Asian languages and cultures, alongside how best to facilitate the public’s broader regional engagement.
The report argued that Australia’s prosperity, diplomacy, and strategic independence increasingly depend on Australians developing stronger knowledge of the Asian region; yet the institutions responsible for building this capability are weakening. Without a public who have a good ability to understand and engage effectively with Asia, there is a diminished capacity for Australia to advance itself and secure its future.
The report distinguished between general Asia literacy for the broader population and the deeper specialist expertise required for diplomats, researchers, business leaders, defense officials, and policymakers. Yet the former feeds into the latter. Without a high baseline of knowledge within the general public, it is more difficult for the country to produce the critical mass of experts required to do the specialist roles. Schools should provide all students with a strong general knowledge of the region, and then universities can hone this into producing highly skilled experts with advanced knowledge.
