Dutch ambassador in Canberra - Australia
The ambassador
Ardi Stoios-Braken
See the curriculumvitae of ambassador Stoios-Braken on rijksoverheid.nl (in Dutch).
Australia and the Netherlands have been partners for a long time, and we have only grown closer in recent years. So says the Dutch ambassador in Canberra, Ardi Stoios-Braken. These kinds of friendships are important, particularly in times of geopolitical unrest. ‘For Australia, the Netherlands serves as a gateway to Europe, while Australia helps the Netherlands to better understand events in the Indo-Pacific.’
What were your first impressions upon arriving in Australia?
‘Everybody knows that Australia is a big country, but you don’t realise how big until you’re actually there. In Australia nobody bats an eye if you just “nip over” from Canberra to Sydney for a working visit. But in the Netherlands a drive of an hour is already considered a long way, and a three-and-a-half hour trip is something you really have to plan ahead.
‘The Australian accent and manner of speaking also takes some getting used to, especially in the beginning. To the Dutch, their style of communication often comes across as more informal or even lazy because of all the shortened words they use: ‘arvo’ (afternoon), ‘barbie’ (barbecue) and ‘brekkie’ (breakfast). But in their professional interactions the Australians are actually more hierarchical and formal than what we’re used to in the Netherlands. For example, in Australia, I’m regularly addressed as “Excellency” at meetings. I wonder if we’d do the same in the Netherlands.’
What's your most important task as ambassador?
‘As ambassador, my area of responsibility covers not only Australia, but also the islands of Nauru, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in the Pacific. I’m working with these countries to broaden and deepen our cooperation. In this connection I think it’s important for these countries to have a clear sense of what the Netherlands stands for, what interests we have in these countries and the wider region, and what knowledge, expertise, products and services we have to offer.
And conversely: these countries offer the Dutch government and the private sector interesting opportunities and chances for cooperation. With that in mind, I spend a lot of my time building networks and cultivating relationships.
I don’t do this alone, obviously: I work closely with our colleagues at the embassy in Canberra, the Consul-General and his team in Sydney and the Netherlands Business Support Office in Melbourne. One of my personal goals for my term as ambassador is to further strengthen cooperation within and between these different entities. This will enable us, as a relatively small team, to continue making a difference on big overarching issues such as security, which involve various parts of the team.’
What opportunities do you see for cooperation with the Netherlands or with Dutch companies?
‘The Australian economy is currently is the midst of a process of reorientation as it transitions from ‘digging and shipping’ to an economy based on knowledge and innovation. This transformation is taking place under a government programme called Future Made in Australia. Sustainability and innovation play an important part in this. Dutch companies have a head start in this area, so there are some real opportunities to explore. Knowledge-sharing is definitely not just a one-way street: the Netherlands and Australia both need to invest in increasing the productivity of their economies, and they can learn from each other.
‘The Brisbane Olympics is also a source of opportunities. Australia is investing billions in sports-related infrastructure and sustainable urban renewal in a broader sense. We’re trying to position Dutch companies as attractive partners in this process. Dutch companies can make relevant, sustainable and innovative contributions on many fronts, and this dovetails neatly with Brisbane’s ambition to minimise the Games’ ecological footprint.
In addition to economic cooperation, opportunities exist in other areas as well, such as critical raw materials, defence and research. The Netherlands, Australia and the EU can complement one another well in these areas.’
What opportunities do you see for cooperation with the Netherlands or with Dutch companies?
‘The Australian economy is currently is the midst of a process of reorientation as it transitions from ‘digging and shipping’ to an economy based on knowledge and innovation. This transformation is taking place under a government programme called Future Made in Australia. Sustainability and innovation play an important part in this. Dutch companies have a head start in this area, so there are some real opportunities to explore. Knowledge-sharing is definitely not just a one-way street: the Netherlands and Australia both need to invest in increasing the productivity of their economies, and they can learn from each other.
‘The Brisbane Olympics is also a source of opportunities. Australia is investing billions in sports-related infrastructure and sustainable urban renewal in a broader sense. We’re trying to position Dutch companies as attractive partners in this process. Dutch companies can make relevant, sustainable and innovative contributions on many fronts, and this dovetails neatly with Brisbane’s ambition to minimise the Games’ ecological footprint.
In addition to economic cooperation, opportunities exist in other areas as well, such as critical raw materials, defence and research. The Netherlands, Australia and the EU can complement one another well in these areas.’
And how is the Dutch cooperation with the island states?
‘I really like the fact that my remit includes these four island states in the Pacific. These countries face major challenges, such as geopolitical conflict and climate change. In the conversations I have during visits, I talk with government officials about the Netherlands’ knowledge and expertise on climate adaptation and water management.
We partly built up that knowledge and expertise in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, which are also small island states experiencing consequences of climate change that are disproportionate to the amount of CO2 they emit. The Netherlands is seeking to strengthen our ties on the basis of these shared interests.’
How do you relax after a day at work?
‘ After work I like to relax with a good book. I also enjoy watching films, especially with others. So tonight all the women who work at the embassy and the wives and girlfriends of staff are going to see the latest Olivia Colman film (The Roses). Then we’re going out for a bite to eat. I’m also learning Italian and trying to improve my French. Although I’m not doing that for my job per se, it’s always handy for an ambassador to speak several languages. But mostly it’s something I do for the fun of it.
‘In my free time I like to travel around Australia and see more of the country. I enjoy getting to know the various regions better and the variety of different landscapes. And like any true Dutch person, I cycle to the office. It’s a nice way of starting and ending the day.’