Asia Society Australia is the Australian centre of the Asia Society, a global organisation dedicated to understanding Asia and its role in the world.

We are independent, non-partisan and not-for-profit.

Mission

Our mission is to advance Australia’s prosperity and security in Asia.

We do this through corporate partnerships, programs, research and commentary that deepen Australia’s understanding of Asia, provide policy ideas for business and government, and create contemporary connections and networks in the region.

History

Asia Society was founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd and has centres in New York, Delhi, Hong Kong, Houston, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Mumbai, Paris, San Francisco, Seattle, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo, Washington DC and Zurich. Explore Asia Society's global network.

Asia Society Australia was founded in 1997 in Sydney by then Prime Minister John Howard to broaden interest and understanding in Australia of Asian countries and their politics, business and culture. The establishment of the Asia Society Australia was led by Hugh Morgan AC (then CEO of WMC Limited) and Richard Woolcott AC (former Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade).

Asia Society Australia's Melbourne centre was officially opened on 3 October 2019 by then Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews.

Strategic Priorities

1. Complex Asia: Build a deeper understanding of geopolitical and economic trends in Asia.

2. Trade Smarter: Inform Australia’s trade and investment expansion and innovation in Asia.

3. Living with China: Inform the development of a more sustainable relationship with China.

4. Generation Asia: Empower the next generation of Asia-engaged leaders, especially by leveraging Australian-Asian expertise. 

Learn more about our strategy here.

Values

Creativity: We are curious and prepared to experiment. 

Excellence: We aspire to the highest standards, but our goal is progress not perfection. 

Agility: We respond and adapt quickly.

Collegiality: We respect each other’s expertise, perspective and time.

Collaboration: We are always looking for ways to work across teams. 

Asia Society Australia Institutional Independence Policy

• The Asia Society Australia is a not-for-profit, non-governmental and non-political organisation, registered in Australia under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. We seek to promote mutual understanding and public debate about Asia and Australia-Asia relations.
• Asia Society globally (including all its centres) takes no institutional position on policy issues and has no affiliation with any government. Where opinions and recommendations are expressed in Asia Society publications and at our events, they reflect the views of the author or authors
• The independence of what we do is very important to Asia Society Australia and to the Asia Society Policy Institute. We will not allow limitations or conditions to be placed by funders and members — individuals, governments or companies — that compromise the independence of our research, projects, programs, products, or speaker selection.

Governance

Asia Society Australia is an independent, not-for-profit, non-governmental and non-political organisation, registered in Australia under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Asia Society Australia’s peak governance body is the Board of Directors. It receives no funding from foreign governments.