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COUNCIL FOR AUSTRALIAN-ARAB RELATIONS (CAAR)

For information contact us Email: caar@dfat.gov.au Phone: +61 2 6261 2090 Website: www.dfat.gov.au/caar FB: www.facebook.com/AustArabCouncil

CAAR INTRO – WHO WE ARE

The Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR) promotes cross-cultural understanding between Australia and the Arab world, and seeks to develop strong networks between them. We do this through advice to government, and by awarding grants to individuals or institutions, in Australia or the Arab world, whose projects align with our vision.

MISSION AND GOALS

Mission To strengthen Australian-Arab relations by advancing areas of shared political, economic and social interest and building a greater awareness and appreciation of each other's cultures and values. Objectives The objectives of the Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR) are to:  empower the peoples of Australia and the Arab world to develop a holistic and contemporary mutual understanding;  support positive and collaborative relationships between Australia’s Arab diaspora communities and the broader Australian community; and  support activities that encourage increased trade and investment between the two regions.

OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

The CAAR is a non-statutory, regional council in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Established in 2003, its purpose is to broaden and strengthen the relationship between Australia and the Arab world, by encouraging and supporting greater mutual understanding and cooperation between the peoples of Australia and the Arab world. The CAAR Board is appointed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs (with the agreement of the Minister for Trade). Board Members are eminent Australians, bringing expertise from areas such as business, government and the academic community. The Secretary of the Department

• f Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Managing Director of Austrade (or their

nominated representatives) are ex officio CAAR Board Members. The CAAR Secretariat is located in DFAT’s Middle East Branch. The Minister for Foreign Affairs may from time to time issue directives to the Council, to which the Council will be bound.

CAAR BOARD

From left to right: Chair, Ms Sue Ismiel, Deputy Chair, Clr Houssam Abiad, Ms Yassmin Abdel-Magied, Ms Joumanah El Matrah, and our three newest members: Ms Amna Karra-Hassan, Mr Soufiane Rboub and Ms Widyan Fares. For more information please visit out website www.dfat.gov.au/caar

Mr David Landers, Austrade’s General Manager for the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Austrade Ex Officio Member. Mr Marc Innes-Brown, First Assistant Secretary, Middle East and Africa Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. DFAT Ex Officio Member.

CAAR GRANTS ROUND

The CAAR runs an annual grants round valued at around AU$400,000. As a general rule, each year the round will open in February, close in April, and be announced in July. We encourage applicants to consider applying under one of our four Flagship Programs. In addition to these, the CAAR also identifies annual Priority Sectors. Typically, the CAAR grants round opens early in the year, with successful applicants notified around August or September. Individuals and organisations in both Australia and the Arab world are encouraged to apply. The Council’s funding guidelines, including how to apply, can be found on our website: www.dfat.gov.au/caar Applicants may wish to apply for funding in line with one of CAAR’s four Flagship Programs: CAAR Speakers, CAAR Visitors, CAAR Exchanges, and Women in Leadership. In addition to these, the CAAR encourages applications under the annually updated Priority Sectors. In 2017, the Priority Sectors are Fashion and Sports.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES 2016-2020

In order to achieve its objectives over 2016-2020, the CAAR Board Members will identify, in each annual Business Plan, the Priority Sectors and geographical areas for the relevant grants round, based on key anniversaries, events and Public Diplomacy opportunities. Each grants round will also call for applications that align with the CAAR Flagship Programs. The CAAR may update the definition of the Flagship Programs in each subsequent Business

• Plan. For the 2017-2018 the Council has selected

two priority sectors in Fashion and Sports.

CAAR SPEAKERS

CAAR Speakers – provides opportunities for influential Australians to visit the Arab world (or vice versa) to share their expertise on a particular issue. The host institution (not the Speaker themselves) would receive $10,000 (excluding GST) in CAAR funding to cover costs associated with economy class international flights, domestic transport, accommodation and per diem expenses. The Speaker would visit for a week, visiting at least two cities, and undertaking at least one public (free) speaking event. The grantee must arrange for the Speaker to carry out media interviews and hold targeted meetings (with diplomats, relevant government agencies and community groups). Both the Speaker and the host institution are responsible for promotion of the CAAR’s support of the project, including through the use of social media.

Tunisian Civil Society activists, hosted by Deakin University

CAAR VISITORS

CAAR Visitors – provides opportunities for Australian or Arab experts (in disciplines as diverse as political science, theatre, sport, science, visual arts or start-up incubators) to collaborate with their counterparts in the alternate region. The host institution (not the Visitor themselves) would receive $30,000 (excluding GST) in CAAR funding to cover costs associated with business class international flights, domestic transport, accommodation and per diem expenses. The Visitor would visit for five to twelve weeks, and would achieve a demonstrable outcome, such as: an academic research paper, a theatre play script, a radio documentary, or an album. The grantee must arrange for the Visitor to carry out media interviews and hold targeted meetings (with diplomats, relevant government agencies and community groups). Both the Visitor and the host institution are responsible for appropriate promotion of the CAAR’s support of the project, including through the use of social media.

Hayder el Khoei, Chatham House, hosted by the Lowy Institute

CAAR EXCHANGES

CAAR Exchanges – provides funding to universities and professional organisations to arrange for Australian groups to travel to the Arab world (or vice versa) to undertake activities related to their studies or professions. For example, journalism students could attend a professional tour of local media agencies, or a sporting team could engage in a ‘train-the-trainer’ program. The students and the grantee are responsible for appropriate promotion of the CAAR’s support of the project, including through the use of social media.

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

Women in Leadership – gives a platform to Australian and Arab women known for their leadership and innovation. Projects funded under this flagship must centre around an event (held in either Australia or the Arab world), and have a lasting impact (such as by creating professional networks). The

• rganisation would be expected to carry out media interviews

and hold targeted meetings (with diplomats, relevant government agencies and community groups). The organisation is responsible for appropriate promotion of the CAAR’s support

• f the project, including through the use of social media.

World of Women Film Fair , Dubai

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact: CAAR Secretariat Email: caar@dfat.gov.au Phone: +61 2 6261 2090 Website: www.dfat.gov.au/caar Facebook: www.facebook.com/AustArabCouncil