2018 Annual General Meeting

Thursday 6 September

The USI of the ACT 2018 Annual General Meeting will be held in the Spender Theatre at the Australian Defence College, Weston Creek, on Thursday 6 September 2018, commencing at 1800 hours.

Papers for the meeting will be posted on the RUSIDSS-A website no later than 23 August 2018.

Members wishing to propose items for the Agenda must advise the Secretary by close of business Wednesday 22 August 2018.  Only items listed on the Agenda will be discussed at the meeting.

Under revised arrangements for Council elections (2015), the Treasurer (CMDR Nick Tate RAN) and one Councillor (Ms Jacinta Carroll), having completed their two-year terms, must seek re-election in 2018; both have indicated their intention to stand again for their respective appointments. The Secretary (Mrs Kay Gilchrist) and one Councillor (Ms Sarah Perry), having filled casual vacancies on the Council in 2018, must seek election in 2018; both have indicated their intention to stand for their respective appointments. One Councillor (Mr Jeremy Stredwick), having already served two consecutive terms, is ineligible for re-relection; his position will be declared vacant at the AGM.

Members wishing to nominate for any of these Council positions should download the nomination form from the website (also under the Governance tab), complete it and return it to the Secretary no later than 23 August 2017.

All USI members are strongly encouraged to attend the AGM - please come along and participate in the governance of your Institute. Please register here. Apologies may be sent to the Secretary via the USI office: T: 6266 3446; E; support@rusi.org.au.

The ADC Mess will be open for networking from 1700 hours.  Members are reminded that photo ID is required for access to the Weston Creek campus.

Thursday 9 August 2018

Panel Discussion: Approaches to countering terrorism and radicalisation: theory and practice

On Thursday 9 August, members and guests were treated to an engaging and challenging panel discussion on approaches to countering terrorism and radicalisation. USI Councillor Jacinta Carroll, Dr Emily Corner from ANU and Mr Bren Burkevics from the ACT Government's Security & Emergency Management Branch canvassed both theory and practice in a session that raised as many questions as it answered. 

Emily began by explaining that her research has found no causal link between mental health and radicalisation, and that we just don't know why people radicalise. She lamented the paucity of data to enable research and suggested that researchers are not yet pushing the field far enough.

Bren began by stressing that, although there is very good cooperation between governments at all levels, it is difficult to identify potential offenders, particularly in a world where there are so many potential sources of radicalisation. He agreed that more data would be helpful and argued for a long-term research plan with clearly established priorities, and stronger links between academia and practitioners.

A fascinating exchange then unfolded, in which Jacinta and the audience probed the presenters in detail. The conclusion was that USI probably needs to return to this very difficult subject area in the not too distant future.

(Carroll & Horner bios: ANU; Photo: USI)

Major General Mike Crane DSC & Bar AM (Retd)

The USI of the ACT is committed to presenting a compelling program of activities, delivering value for stakeholders, and modelling best-practice governance.

In 2018, we are exploring in some detail the new Department of Home Affairs: how it came about, views on whether it is necessary, how it is shaping up, and what is hoped for its future. Members and guests will hear views from academics and policy practitioners. Beyond that theme, we will present a range of other speakers, including: our 2017 Leo Mahoney Bursary winner, Deborah Jeppesen; Vice Chief of the Defence Force Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AO, CSC, RAN; and a panel of counter-terorism experts. And we will continue to seize opportunities to engage other relevant speakers as they arise. The guest speaker for our 2018 Members' Dinner will be Secretary of Defence, Greg Moriarty; and we have locked in another outstanding Orator for the 2018 ACT Blamey Oration, who will be announced later in the year. Please keep an eye on the website and watch our newsletters for further details.

From a Council point of view, 2018 is another year of consolidating the changes we have made to our governance. We continue to work hard to implement the reforms identified in our 2015 strategic review.

The United Services Institute of the Australian Capital Territory (USI of the ACT) is an independent, not-for-profit, incorporated association, part of a wider network of similar state and territory organisations operating under the umbrella of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies - Australia. Our aim is to promote understanding of national security and defence issues. Membership is open to all who have an interest in national security and defence. We host a program of guest speaker presentations, usually once each month, and offer an annual bursary to an ACT-based doctoral scholar.  

Our Patron is Major General the Honourable Michael Jeffery AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd).  You can read his biography here.

Our next speaker can be found at "What's On", and a record of previous presentations can be found under "Transcripts" and Past Events.