Punching Above Our Weight? Australia as a

Global Citizen

Stage 5 Australian History

In the post-war era (1945-present) Australia has grown more and more aware of its role as a global citizen

Australia been an active participant in the global community.

Australia has a keen sense of responsibility and motivation to make a positive impact on a global stage

Australia has been a key member of the United Nations (UN) that, since the end of WWII, has been at the centre of most international initiatives to promote peace and security around the world.

Australia has a presence on nearly every continent, either as advisors or consultants or in a military form.

Introduction

Inquiry questions What role has Australia played in

international affairs in the postwar period?

What have been some important political developments in postwar Australian history?

How have significant individuals and groups exercised their democratic rights in the postwar period?

Australia and the world

World Youth DayAPECOlympics....

Australia and the world

Using your textbook, find and write down the definitions of the following terms:

1. Annex2. Autonomous3. Forward defence4. Global citizen5. Globalisation 6. Humanitarian 7. Mandate 8. Ratify 9. Subversion

Terms and concepts

Key facts about the UN:

Established on 24 October1945

Australia was a founding member

International body for peace and security around the world

Headquarters located in New York, USA

The United Nations

THE UNITED NATIONS is a unique international organization of 192 sovereign States, representing virtually every country in the world. It was founded after the Second World War to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations and promote social progress, better living standards and human rights.

The aims of the UN

The organisation of the UN

Find at least two facts about each of the following bodies and state whether Australia is involved in this body.

Trusteeship Council Security Council General Assembly Economic and Social Council International Court of Justice Secretariat

Main bodies

Australia was a founding member of the UN Dr Herbet Evatt was one of the significant

Australians to participate in the early UN years Australia has been an active member of UN

peacekeeping operations since 1945 Australia is not a permanent member of the

Security Council, but has been a member many times

Australia changed its position after 9/11 and went to war with the USA without UN approval

Australia and the UN

Asian Development Bank World Trade Organisation International Labour Organisation World Bank ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and

Development (OECD) Pacific Regional Environment Programme SEATO (South East Asian Treaty Organisation)

Other international organisations (Australia is a member)

The Asia-Pacific Region

Pacific Ocean

Indian Ocean

EconomicPolitical

Military/SecuritySocio-cultural Immigration

EnvironmentalScientific

Regional Agreements

Current Australian involvement

What are Australia’s main responsibilities internationally?

What should our responsibilities be as a global citizen?

Are we “punching above our weight”?

Concluding comments