Asian Cup Australia 2015 can open doors to Asia

The Lowy Institute for International Policy has released a paper highlighting the important role football can play in strengthening and broadening Australia's networks in Asia.

The paper Football Diplomacy Redux: The 2015 Asian Cup and Australia's Engagement with Asia, released by the Lowy Institute is the outcome of a conference at the Lowy Institute last November where more than 100 business, government, football and community leaders came together to share their ideas about the role football can have in deepening Australia's relationship with Asia.

The paper has been welcomend by the Asian Cup Australia 2015 Local Organising Committee (LOC) , with Chief Executive Michael Brown said the paper, prepared by Research Director Anthony Bubalo, highlighted the important role football could play in strengthening and broadening Australia's networks in Asia.

Brown said the paper also provided priorities for the engagement with a Football Asia Council the key recommendation, stating "there is growing recognition that football, through events like the Asian Cup, offers a unique opportunity for Australia to promote tourism, trade and other interests in Asia.

"Australia needs to do more to capitalise on the doors football can open and the Football Diplomacy Paper explores those opportunities.

"The Policy Brief discusses the practical ways that Australia can use the 2015 Asian Cup to promote diplomatic, tourism, business and social engagement with key countries in Asia.

"Importantly, it also recognises that this opportunity begins with the Asian Cup, but does not end when the tournament is over. Football will continue to connect Australia and the rest of Asia long after the teams have travelled home."

Brown said the LOC would now review the paper and work with governments and stakeholders on addressing the Policy Brief's recommendations and added "I want to thank The Lowy Institute, and especially Executive Director Michael Fullilove, Anthony Bubalo and his team, for their great work on the Policy Brief and the November conference.

"I welcome feedback from government, business, football fans and community representatives on the ideas raised on the day and those canvassed by the policy document.

"If we can turn these ideas into concrete action I'm sure this will be a legacy not only for football but also for Australia."

The Policy Brief: Football Diplomacy Redux: The 2015 Asian Cup and Australia's Engagement with Asia can be found at www.lowyinstitute.org/publications/football-diplomacy-redux

16th December 2011 - FFA APPOINTS 2015 AFC ASIAN CUP CHIEF