Australia's Use of Education in Its Foreign Policy: A Tool for Achieving Political Objectives

ARIQ DMITRI ANDREI, Dr. Dafri Agussalim

2021 | Skripsi | S1 ILMU HUBUNGAN INTERNASIONAL

Australia has been using education as a tool in its foreign policy since long ago, with notable ones such as the Colombo Plan that date back to the 1950's. Today, Australia continues to use education as a part of its foreign policy, through various means such as Australia Awards, New Colombo Plan, Australian education fairs abroad and numerous other methods. It is within Australia's interest to attract international students, since the presence of international students, will bring political benefits towards Australia. Political benefits that Australia gain by using education in its foreign policy include improving Australia's image through the good international citizen principle, gaining useful alumni networks and increasing Australia geopolitical standing abroad. This thesis uses foreign policy analysis as a tool in analyzing Australia's motives behind its use of education in its foreign policy.

Australia has been using education as a tool in its foreign policy since long ago, with notable ones such as the Colombo Plan that date back to the 1950's. Today, Australia continues to use education as a part of its foreign policy, through various means such as Australia Awards, New Colombo Plan, Australian education fairs abroad and numerous other methods. It is within Australia's interest to attract international students, since the presence of international students, will bring political benefits towards Australia. Political benefits that Australia gain by using education in its foreign policy include improving Australia's image through the good international citizen principle, gaining useful alumni networks and increasing Australia geopolitical standing abroad. This thesis uses foreign policy analysis as a tool in analyzing Australia's motives behind its use of education in its foreign policy.

Kata Kunci : Education, foreign policy, rational actor, good international citizenship, political interest