RAI takes out international award for regional studies
Regional communities across Australia will be put on the international stage this week, when our country’s first independent regional think-tank, The Regional Australia Institute (RAI), accepts a global award in London.
Established only six years ago, the RAI joins a distinguished group of international experts to receive the Regional Studies Institutional Ambassador Award.
RAI Chairman, Mal Peters says past winners include the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), University of Warsaw in Poland and the Lincoln Institute, USA.
“This is an incredible recognition and honour, and says that the RAI is amongst the best in the world on the regional issues we work on,” Mr Peters said.
RAI CEO Jack Archer will accept the award in London, on Thursday 16 November (GMT) at the prestigious Regional Studies Association President’s Event.
“Previous winners of the award include many of the organisations whose work we look to for inspiration on how we can bring new information and policy ideas to regional issues in Australia,” Mr Archer said.
“To be acknowledged as a leader in this group is a major achievement for our team who has worked on regional issues over the past six years – and for the 8.8 million Australians who make up regional Australia,” Jack Archer said.
The award will be presented by the Regional Studies Association – an international organisation of professionals who study regions throughout the world.
As part of the trip, Mr Archer will be attending the Regional Studies Conference in London. He will be presenting to the OECD and discussing its latest global initiatives.
“I look forward to presenting our work to our peers in Europe and talking to them about their latest insights into regional research – which we can bring back to Australia,” Mr Archer said.
“Unlike most of the international organisations at this conference, the RAI is devoted exclusively to work relating to regional Australia and the towns that make up this economy,” Mr Archer said.
The award is made annually by the Association to an organisation in recognition of sustained excellence in the field of regional studies.
Mr Archer says regional Australia includes all areas outside the five major capital cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide) and Canberra.
The Regional Australia Institute was founded in 2012 in Canberra.
CEO Jack Archer is available for media comments prior to and after the award ceremony. Photos of the event will be available to media on request.
