Bulletin

Issue: April 2004

News

A Degree of Diplomacy

How many undergraduates make recommendations as part of their study that are acted upon by federal parliamentarians, national police forces, large non-government organisations (NGOs), big businesses - or even a foreign government?

Not many - but these are among the achievement of the first cohort of 21 graduates from La Trobe University's new Bachelor of International Relations (BIR) degree who completed their course at the end of 2003.

The BIR is three-year degree, which, according to Joseph Camilleri, Professor of International Relations in the School of Social Sciences, is unique in terms of content, structure and ethos.

'In addition to several core subjects, students are required to choose electives in international relations across a range of disciplines, including law, sociology and anthropology, history, philosophy, busi-ness and tourism. This is how students became involved in practical aspects of international diplomacy,' Professor Camilleri said.

This occurred during the last semester when students took a subject called Professional Competence - Transition to the Workplace.

Its goal is to offer students an opportunity to apply their analytical skills and knowledge to an experiential situation. Students are expected to make a significant contribution to the workplace, whilst making university level learning the central focus of the work placement experience.

Students negotiate a placement with the La Trobe University's workplace co-ordinator. They commit to one and a half days per week for the final semester of their degree.

Students are placed in the offices of parliamentarians, business organisations like the ANZ banking group, NGOs like World Vision, or Oxfam/Community Aid Abroad, government agencies like the Australian Federal Police and must produce a concrete result - usually a report - useful to the organisation.

Professor Camilleri cited the following examples of the work of the first cohort of BIR graduates:

• Kate McRae worked with the Federal Member for Calwell, Ms Maria Vamvakinou, researching and writing a briefing paper on the Roadmap to Peace in the Middle East conflict. She interviewed key stakeholders in Canberra as well as liaising with DFAT. Her report was launched in Parliament House in December and will be used when Ms Vamvakinou moves a grievance motion to encourage debate on Australia's role in a peaceful resolution of the Middle East conflict.
• Cassie Matthews and Sarah Eifermann worked in the Melbourne consulate of Timor Leste (East Timor), issuing visa applications and dealing with migration concerns at the front desk. The Honorary Consul briefed them to research and write the draft protocols for all the Timor Leste offices in Australia.
• Paul Xerri worked with the Australian Federal Police in Canberra, designing a questionnaire and survey to evaluate the effectiveness of co-operation agreements between Australia and a number of Pacific Islands. He interviewed many serving police, assessed the results of the questionnaires, and then prepared a dozen recommendations for consideration by the Board of the Australian Federal Police.

The next cohort of BIR students is already negotiating projects with a QC regarding international law on Asylum Seekers; with ABC Radio National's 'Europeans' program, and with the International Women's Development Agency on a nine nation forum to be held in Cambodia.

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