Track II Diplomacy

“It is in Australia’s interests to be proactive about shaping the strategic environment in the Asia-Pacific, and our own future, through regional engagement. Our diplomacy needs to be pervasive, formative and influential and it needs to be resourced for the challenges that Australia faces now and into the future”.

First National Security Statement to the Australian Parliament, Address by the Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon Kevin Rudd MP, 4 December 2008.

What is Track II Diplomacy?

Track II diplomacy refers to dialogues that promote a cooperative and regional approach to security.

This dialogue tends to occur in meetings that engage people from various states to discuss security issues of mutual concern. The emphasis of the dialogue is to identify new perspectives, develop innovative solutions and achieve mutual understanding.

Who is involved?

Track II diplomacy engages leaders from universities, business, civil society and governments. A key element of Track II diplomacy is the involvement of government representatives, although they attend Track II initiatives in a private capacity.

Some governments, such as the Australian Government, view Track II diplomacy as an important strategic tool for their own regional security interests and as a complement to Track I (official state) diplomacy.

Asialink’s Track II Diplomacy

Asialink's Track II specialist is Professor Anthony Milner, whose principal role with Asialink and the University of Melbourne is the continued development of Asialink’s Track II diplomacy initiatives to strengthen ASEAN-Australia relations and define a core organisational mission to strengthen Australia-Asia engagement.

Asialink’s most notable Track II initiative is the Asialink Conversations.