Foreign Affairs

Alexander’s career has seen him in several key roles on both the corporate and world stage. But it was in the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs (1996-2007) with the Liberal Government of Australia that allowed Alexander to truly make his mark. Today, Alexander enjoys speaking on a wide range of topics that include leadership, regional and global stability, future trends and the art of international negotiation – an indication of the wealth and breadth of knowledge he holds. 

Alexander Downer retired from politics in 2008 after an amazing 24 years and prior to that was a highly successful career diplomat. In every respect Alexander Downer has served his country with enormous energy, passion, dedication and integrity.... “For nearly 12 years he strutted the world stage, dining and talking with the most influential politicians in the world." 

Born in South Australia, schooled through Geelong Grammar and Radley College in Oxford, the son of a politician, Alexander was a leader with drive and enthusiasm from an early age. His University life at the University of Newcastle on Tyne in UK provided Alexander with a very international perspective on life that he was to use extensively through his later career. He has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Politics and Economics and is a Doctor of Civil Laws (honoris causa). Alexander also holds a Doctor of Philosophy from Bar Ilan University (Honorary). 

His early roles of Economist to Westpac Bank and Australian diplomat serving in the Australian Missions to European Union and NATO, and as an Embassy representative in Belgium and Luxembourg, were excellent training grounds for Alexander’s later role as Minister for Foreign Affairs. 

Politics called in 1984 and after two senior political advisory roles, Alexander entered politics as the Member for Mayo. He has held several key positions both in Government and Opposition (including Leader of the Opposition) but it was as Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Liberal Government of Australia from 1996 until November 2007 that Alexander truly made his mark. 

Alexander Downer has been at the forefront of Australian Foreign Policy in some very turbulent and also progressive times. He has seen the increase in terror around the World and orchestrated significant reforms to combat its influence; he has been instrumental in delivering independence in East Timor; he has played a pivotal role in Australia’s response to the Middle East conflicts; he has been an active participant and diplomatic force on global issues of human rights, climate change, natural disasters and he still found time to represent his local constituency on Local, State and Federal issues. 

Alexander Downer has earned respect all around the World as a man committed to making the World a better place and has enhanced Australia’s position in the Global fraternity. 

Post politics Alexander has accepted a professorial role with Adelaide University. He has started a consultancy business in South Australia and will write a book in the near future. He is enjoying speaking to business and community groups on a wide range of topics that include leadership, regional and global stability, future trends, the art of international negotiation, to mention but a few of his topics. 

His speeches are loaded with anecdotes that provide the listener with an insight into how it works at the top...the tensions, the humour and the characters that make the World go around. Alexander’s years in the media spotlight has shown him to be very quick witted and a man with a wonderfully Australian sense of humour.

Presentation Topics Include

• Leadership
• Future Trends
• Business Resilience
• Trump vs. the World
• The Global Marketplace
• China – threat or opportunity?
• Regional and Global Stability
  
• The Art of International Negotiation
• Conducting Business in Foreign Lands
• Russia – are they playing in our backyard?
• Brexit and its implications for Australian Businesses
  
• Australia’s security and lessons learnt from overseas

Testimonials

Fantastic session, Alexander was a highlight and was really engaging.
Association of Corporate Counsel Australia