Title

Challenges to Australian security focus for new book

Document Type

Media Release

Publication Date

Spring 22-11-2011

Publisher Name

The University of Notre Dame, Fremantle Campus

Publication Place

Fremantle

Abstract

Environmental, social and economic security are three future challenges facing Australians as domestic borders become increasingly globalised, according to Dr Daniel Baldino, Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Notre Dame’s Fremantle Campus.

He says Australia’s role as a global middle-power will become more important to help respond to a growing number of security threats which require international collaborative partnerships.

Dr Baldino was one of four academics from around Australia involved in the publication of a textbook which is now available to politics and international relations students nationally.

Contemporary Challenges to Australian Security provides a practical overview of the key elements that constitute Australian security within a context of Asia-Pacific and global politics.

Collaborating on the book were Dr David Lundberg, Senior Lecturer at the University of South Australia; Dr Juliet Pietsch, Senior Lecturer at the Australian National University; and Dr John Rees, Senior Lecturer in International Relations at The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Sydney Campus.

The product was the brainchild of Associate Dean - History, at the Fremantle Campus, Associate Professor Deborah Gare, who marketed the book as part of a series for students studying international relations to publishers Palgrave MacMillan.

Contemporary Challenges to Australian Security delves into contemporary national and international political issues including refugees, asylum seekers, poverty, environmental security and terrorism.

Dr Baldino said the book would give students a greater scope to challenge the authenticity, validity and legitimacy of the concept of ‘security’ and how people related to it today.

“The emphasis of the book is that national security shouldn’t necessarily be synonymous with military security and that we need a better understanding of the concept to be able to deal with modern day political, economic, environmental and related challenges,” Dr Baldino said.

“With the onset of globalisation continuing to blur the lines between international and national borders, Australian politics does not stop at the water’s edge and Australia will not be able to be a country of stability within a sea of turmoil.

“Our hope would be that students approach these issues with an open mind so they can receive a much more sophisticated understanding about the evolving threats not only facing Australia now, but also potential threats in five, 10 or even 25 years time.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle Ebbs, Tel (08) 9433 0569, Mob 0408 959 138

Leigh Dawson, Tel (08) 9433 0569, Mob 0405 441 093

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