An Evening with the Interns

Our six interns will each give a presentation on a topic of their own choice:

Climate change-induced migration: An Australian perspective

By mid-century, the UNHCR estimates more than 500 million people will be displaced from their homes because of climate-related disasters. Some estimates place this figure as high as 1.2 billion. As the climate continues to warm as the century progresses, climate-changed induced migration will have profound effects for every country on the planet, and Australia is certainly not immune from these shocks. The Asia-Pacific is most at risk. In the decade between 2008 and 2018, 80% of all new global disaster displacements occurred within this region. Ralph Housego will outline recent examples of displacements caused by climate change, discuss potential scenarios Australia will be forced to contend with and highlight the scope of impacts this mass movement of people will inevitably cause.

Cyberwarfare: The New Battlefield

A new security dilemma has emerged out of the 4th industrial revolution. An arms race designed to be fought not on air, land or sea but rather in cyber space is already here and it has just entered its infancy. Its development and consequences for Australia and its international neighbours will be explored by Teague Mirabelle in his talk on the true risk we have accepted into our lives with our everyday pieces of technology that we have become so dependent on.

The Cuba embargo at sixty

Antony Murrell will discuss the United States' embargo on Cuba. Implemented in 1962, the policy was intended to dislodge the revolutionary government of Fidel Castro. Following the Soviet Union's dissolution, the policy rationale morphed into one of liberalisation and democratisation. Yet, despite continuing for sixty years and depriving Cuba of more than USD 130 billion in trade, the embargo has failed to realise these professed objectives. This talk will seek to answer why the embargo on Cuba persists and what will be needed for it to end.

Australia and Space

Oliver Owens will present on the topic of Australia and space exploration. He will consider the historical developments of Australia's space agencies and the domestic commercial space industry to contextualise the current state of Australia's engagement in extra-terrestrial operations. As space becomes a more congested and contested region, occupied by both state and private actors, the presentation will also analyse current and future opportunities and challenges for Australia's space operations across the commercial, strategic and scientific landscapes.

How does the international system deal with transitional justice? – lessons from Cambodia.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) are both mechanisms to provide reparations and prosecute international crimes. The ICC is a permanent court with 120 parties that only has jurisdiction to examine crimes after 2002, whereas the ECCC has been established to prosecute crimes that occurred specifically within the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979). They are however both fundamentally different in their case law and approach to justice. A comparative analysis of these two courts by Grace Papworth will show fundamental differences in their focus on victim's rights and reparations, underlying functions and goals and the localisation of justice mechanisms.

The Future of India-Australia Bilateral Relationship

At the crux of the bolstered India-Australia bilateral relationship is the shared goal of ensuring that the Indo-Pacific transforms into a region that is stable, affluent and respects the right of any country to make its own decisions. This goal has been created under the shadow of China's increasing authority and the economic and strategic restructuring triggered by it in the region. Ashrika Paruthi asks what will the future of this relationship be as India continues its policy of friendship without alliances while Australia depends on its long-standing relationship with its western allies and their values? As India's economy overtakes the United Kingdom's and becomes the fifth largest in the world, how will India's rise affect this relationship?

Ralph Housego is a fourth-year student at the University of Sydney studying a Bachelor of Arts/Advanced Studies (Politics and International Relations, Political Economy).

Teague Mirabelle is a fourth-year student at Macquarie University undertaking a double Masters in cyber-security analysis and international affairs.

Antony Murrell is a fourth-year student at the University of New South Wales, studying a Bachelor of Arts (History/Spanish and Latin American Studies) and a Bachelor of Laws.

Oliver Owens is a recent graduate from the Australian National University where he studied a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics, and a Bachelor of Visual Arts with a major in ceramics.

Grace Papworth is in her fourth-year undergraduate law degree and has a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in politics at the University of Sydney.

Ashrika Paruthi is a third-year Dalyell Scholar and Vice Chancellor's International Scholar, undertaking a Bachelor of Arts/Advanced Studies, majoring in International Relations and Politics, at the University of Sydney.

(For more information, go to the Internships page​)

REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 4:00PM AEST ON Tuesday, November 29

We will have space for a limited number of participants in-person at the Glover Cottages, tickets to be pre-paid (all in-person attendees must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or hold a valid exemption). Once the limit for in-person attendees is reached, tickets will no longer be sold on the website or at the door.

Refreshments will be served.

This event will also be streamed online via Zoom. Register by clicking the "get tickets" button below. Once you have registered, you will receive a follow-up confirmation email on the day of the event (Tuesday, November 29) containing details of the Zoom link and how to join the event.

The Zoom event will start at 6.30pm (Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne time).

For further information please email: nswexec@internationalaffairs.org.au

Photo from left to right: Antony, Grace, Ashrika, Teague, Ralph and Oliver