MILITARY LEADERSHIP FORUM
22-28 February 2008
The APCML co-hosted with the St James Ethics Centre and the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) a seminar in Jakarta in the period 26-28 February 2008. The seminar was part of an ongoing regional Military Leadership Forum that was established following the conduct of a successful pilot activity in Thailand in the period 27 February – 1 March 2007. The pilot activity had Minister of Defence approval with the ongoing forum being conducted with the support of International Policy Division.

The Military Leadership Forum involves the conduct each year of a three-day seminar in a regional country. An overarching theme is selected for the seminar with additional daily sub-themes. For the Jakarta seminar the overarching theme was ‘Military Operations other than War’. The sub-themes were: ‘Challenges of Civil-Military Operations’; ‘Use of Force’; and ‘The Role of Legal Advice’. The Australian delegation comprised: Major General David Chalmers; Brigadier Paul Symon; Dr Simon Longstaff (St James Ethics Centre); Captain Dale Stephens RAN; and Lieutenant Colonel Evan Carlin.

The Military Leadership Forum seminar format uses innovative discussion techniques developed in Australia by the St James Ethics Centre. These techniques promote an open and enthusiastic discussion about various ethical and leadership challenges in contemporary military operations.  The representation at the forum in Jakarta was widespread, with senior officers from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Thailand, Tonga, Vietnam and, of course, Indonesia. Through his well developed forensic skills Dr. Longstaff was able to facilitate very open and honest dialogue on issues relevant to law, legitimacy and ethics. The frank avenues of exchange promote a greater confidence between regional participants in understanding perspectives and values applicable to the conduct of military operations.

Enormous effort was expended by Captain Robert Plath RAN and Chief Petty Officer Alida D'Angeli of the Australian Embassy, Jakarta, to ensure that the forum was a success and their efforts paid off handsomely. The Military Leadership Forum Forum has developed an enviable record of achievement and has a strong momentum which augers well for the future. The APCML is proud to be associated with this initiative.

Contact details:

University Node Cathy Hutton Administrator Asia-Pacific Centre for Military Law Law School The University of Melbourne VIC 3010 AUSTRALIA Tel: + 61 3 8344 4775 Fax: + 61 3 8344 0054 Email: law-apcml@unimelb.edu.au

Military Node Ian Martin Administrator Asia-Pacific Centre for Military Law Building 100 Randwick Barracks Avoca Street RANDWICK NSW 2031 AUSTRALIA Tel: + 61 2 9349 0628 Fax: +61 2 9349 0757 Email: mlc.admin@defence.gov.au