AIIA Chief Executive Officer Dr Bryce Wakefield said the IPCN reflects shared regional priorities and approaches to cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. “The program is designed to bring together people working across different sectors and contexts to learn from one another and strengthen regional cooperation on resilience,” he said.

The Japan Foundation’s Ayumi Takita, along with Wakefield one of the co-creators of the initiative, noted that given the frequency of disasters in the region, the need for cross-border cooperation in strengthening resilience has become more pressing.“We are delighted to convene such a dynamic group of next generation fellows working across disaster resilience, and hope this shared journey will strengthen partnerships and build enduring connections for regional cooperation,” she said.

The newly selected cohort of 15 participants reflects the diversity and complexity of the Indo-Pacific region. Participants come from across Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America, and represent a wide range of professional backgrounds. Their work spans climate and disaster policy, humanitarian response, public health, urban planning, water and sanitation, governance, finance, security, research and journalism.

This diversity is a defining feature of the IPCN. By bringing together participants with different disciplinary expertise and lived experience, the program creates space for meaningful cross-regional learning on shared challenges such as climate change, disaster risk reduction, preparedness and recovery.

Takita added, “This program is conceived as a shared year-long journey. Fellows will learn together from local experts in multiple locations over the course of a year, and we hope this experience will foster lasting connections in resilience. We are confident this initiative reflects our commitment to dialogue, mutual understanding and people-to-people exchange as the basis for sustained regional cooperation.”

Dr Wakefield said the initiative also aligns with Australia’s approach to engagement in the Indo-Pacific. “Representing an Australian institution, I am pleased that this initiative reflects the focus on region, resilience, relationships and rules that are central to Australia’s approach to the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

Over the year-long program, participants will engage in study visits across Japan, the South Pacific and Australia, meeting with local communities, government agencies, humanitarian organisations and research institutions. These experiences are complemented by expert briefings, facilitated discussions and collaborative research outputs, with many cohort members contributing to public and policy debate through platforms such as Australian Outlook.

Applications for the program were highly competitive, with selection based on professional engagement, demonstrated commitment to resilience-related work and the perspectives applicants would contribute to the network.

The Hansard featuring Wakefield’s full remarks is available here.

In his remarks, Wakefield emphasised the importance of drawing on existing local and international knowledge networks to strengthen disaster resilience efforts. He highlighted the work of the Indo-Pacific Cooperation Network (IPCN), a program co-created by the AIIA and the Japan Foundation, which brings together early-career professionals from across the Indo-Pacific to exchange expertise in disaster preparedness, response, and memorialisation.

The initiative, recognised at the highest levels during a state visit to the White House by then Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, convenes scientists, communications specialists, NGO staff, emergency coordinators, and others to build a transnational professional community able to support one another in their approach to disaster preparation, response, and recovery. Wakefield noted that this type of network exemplifies the collaborative and regionally grounded approach that could complement Australia’s proposed volunteer scheme.

He further pointed out that the AIIA’s submission drew on the contributions of several IPCN participants, who reflected on the scheme in light of their diverse professional and regional experiences. Their perspectives, grounded in local realities across the Indo-Pacific, highlighted the centrality of knowledge-sharing, the importance of engaging at-risk communities, and the risks of ad hoc volunteer mobilisation.

Wakefield stressed that any national volunteer program must prioritise coordination, leadership, and training to avoid fragmented responses, and ensure that Indigenous and local communities are active contributors rather than passive recipients of assistance. Drawing lessons from New Zealand and Japan, he underscored the value of integrating local knowledge, youth participation, and strong preparation into disaster response frameworks.

The hearing formed part of the Senate inquiry into how the Climate Army could mobilise young Australians, strengthen community resilience, and learn from overseas best practices. Wakefield’s contribution showcased how Australia can not only build its own capacity but also play a leading role in shaping regional approaches to disaster resilience through innovative networks and partnerships.

The submission draws from the experiences of the Indo-Pacific Cooperation Network (IPCN), a regional initiative supported by the AIIA and the Japan Foundation. The IPCN brings together emerging leaders from across the Indo-Pacific to tackle the complex challenges of climate and disaster resilience. Their reflections now contribute directly to shaping a uniquely Australian volunteer scheme with international scope and local sensitivity.

“Climate change is a regional challenge, and it makes sense to look to regional solutions,” said AIIA Projects and Publications Manager, Emily Mosley,  manager of the inquiry submission. “We brought together voices from across the Indo-Pacific to highlight practical models Australia can learn from in building a more inclusive and effective Climate Army.”

Learning from the Region

The AIIA’s submission responds to key terms of reference in the inquiry, including strategies for volunteer engagement, best practices from abroad, and integration with educational institutions. Case studies span seven Indo-Pacific countries, highlighting innovative and culturally responsive models. For example:

• Mark Daza (Philippines) highlighted the Filipino cultural value of bayanihan—community solidarity—as a key driver of sustained volunteerism, and called for Australian programs to similarly reflect national values and local trust.
• Dr Connie Gan (Australia) advocated for community-embedded volunteer models, citing Indonesia’s community health “cadres” as examples of sustainable, localised engagement in public health and disaster resilience.
• Dr Kiriloi Ingram (Australia) urged the Climate Army to adopt gender-sensitive, trauma-informed training and leadership structures that include Indigenous and culturally diverse voices—addressing a critical gap in disaster response.
• Daisuke Kageyama (Japan) reflected on Japan’s evolving volunteer coordination systems following the Great Hanshin-Awaji and 2024 Noto earthquakes. He recommended investing in formal volunteer management infrastructure to avoid bottlenecks in disaster response.
• Stephen McHugh (United States) emphasised the importance of planning for vulnerable populations, particularly older adults. He showcased the Philippines’ “Go Bike” programme, where young volunteers deliver health checks and preparedness messages to seniors—an intergenerational model adaptable to Australia.
• Falguni Tailor (India) detailed India’s integrated approach to disaster volunteering across government, academia, and the private sector. Programmes like Aapda Mitra and Aapda Sakhi Yojana provide incentives and pathways for students, women, and people with disabilities to contribute meaningfully.
• Merita Tuari’i (Cook Islands) described the traditional puna system of decentralised community leadership and the youth-led Te Kōrero o te ‘Ōrau organisation. Both exemplify culturally embedded, gender-aware, and youth-driven disaster preparedness.

Practical Policy Pathways

The submission canvasses numerous initiatives, including a tiered volunteer recognition system, integration of volunteer training in schools and universities, creation of a national digital volunteer database, and public-private partnerships to fund and support disaster response initiatives.

It also stresses the need for local coordination and the recognition of informal volunteer networks. Drawing from Japan’s experience during the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and recent Noto earthquake, the document stresses the role of civil society organisations in managing large-scale volunteer coordination when governments are overstretched.

AIIA CEO Dr Bryce Wakefield notes that “This submission reflects our deep commitment to international cooperation. In the run-up to COP31, Australia and its regional partners are well placed to lead the way in integrating community and climate action.”

Access and Engagement

The AIIA encourages the public and policymakers to explore the full range of ideas and case studies shared through the Indo-Pacific Cooperation Network. The IPCN’s mission is to connect emerging leaders and experts across the region to support long-term disaster resilience and policy innovation.

 To learn more about the IPCN and access stories, policy briefs, and program updates, visit the AIIA’s Indo-Pacific Cooperation Network webpage at: https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/indo-pacific-cooperation-network/