The Australian National University’s annual Asia Pacific Week conference is on again in 2012.

Asia Pacific Week brings together leading experts on the Asia Pacific region and 100 student delegates from around the world to engage in a series of dynamic discussions and events focused on developments and trends that will shape the ‘Asia Pacific Century’.

For the second year in a row we will be running the Master Blogging Challenge (pictured) which was won in 2011 by New Mandala‘s own Dr Andrew Walker. He will, we assume, seek to defend his title. There will also be a ‘pub style debate’ where my ‘Team Asia’ goes toe-to-toe with a leading light of European Studies at the ANU, Dr Ben Wellings, and his ‘Team Europe’.

Plus there will be the usual lectures, dinners, round-tables, workshops, networking events, scenario-based challenges, and all the rest. It is a tremendously exciting part of the ANU calendar.

The conference will be held from 8 to 13 July 2012 at our beautiful campus in Canberra, Australia.

Now to the key information: the Asia Pacific Week organising committee is seeking delegates from all over the world and PhD candidates, as well as Masters and Honours students of all disciplines, are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate both academic and extra-curricular dedication to the Asia Pacific region.

Delegate applications for Asia Pacific Week close 23March 2012 at 9am Canberra time (GMT+11:00). For more information, including how to apply, please visit asiapacificweek.anu.edu.au.

It would be terrific to see plenty of applications from New Mandala readers in the mix.