Nicholas Drew's Crash Course in Koala Diplomacy

By Nicholas Drew, Menzies Foundation Fellow, Y20 Brazil

Nicholas at the Y20 Summit in Brazil

Global Voices’ pre-departure briefing occurred in Canberra during budget week. I was

privileged to sit with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, ministers, embassy

officials, and think tanks. These meetings were centred around strategic policy briefings,

relevant to our negotiation tracks. For me, I really appreciated the briefing we received from

Australia’s G20 Sherpa, who provided insights relevant to the negotiation track I sat on:

“Innovation and Future of Work.” At all these briefings, the phrase “koala diplomacy,” and its

role in Australia’s international relations, was often used.

Diplomacy, broadly, is the strategic use of a nation’s unique cultural and natural assets to

foster goodwill, build people-to-people connections, and advance diplomatic objectives

(Grincheva, 2024). The Shadow Minister for Youth highlighted that people-to-people

relationships were foundational, especially when engaging with young people.

So, what actually is ‘koala diplomacy'? In this context, koala diplomacy was an informal way for us to connect on a personal level, sharing Australian culture, with policy-engaged young people from 20+ countries. We sought to lean into, and uphold, Australia’s international reputation of mateship. By making a small introductory gesture, we hoped to reaffirm Australia’s positive reputation and open friendly lines of dialogue during the weeklong summit; If done right, we also hoped to stay connected with our fellow youth delegates, many of whom study and work in the same fields as ourselves.

To pass the Y20 communiqué with unanimous consensus, it was essential to build from a

strong foundation of appreciation and mutual cultural respect. To foster this from day one of

the delegation, we wanted to come bearing uniquely Australian gifts. In the time between the

pre-departure briefing and the Y20 summit, we brainstormed presents that would convey the

right message. Unfortunately, things like mum’s potato bake wouldn’t survive the flight and

selecting which AFL team’s merchandise was too hotly contested between us delegates. To

mediate, our Global Voice’s delegation leader suggested a different direction, referring us

back to “koala diplomacy.” We took the phrase (almost) literally, settling on plush clip-on

koalas as our gift.

In-country, the plush clip-on koalas were an instant hit. Fellow delegates, G20 Brazil officials,

and event coordinators were seeking out Australian delegates and their fabled clip-on

koalas. These interactions allowed us to network across negotiation tracks and build

relationships with young professionals from across the world. Koalas were appearing on

delegates’ backpacks, official lanyards, and translation devices. With this physical reminder,

we were never far from mind. Throughout the week, these relationships proved vital to

furthering the negotiations and allowed us, Australian delegates, to be trusted arbitrators of

policy disagreements.

While we all stand on the shoulders of giants, koala diplomacy credits Blinky Bill (Australian

National Dictionary Centre, 2016). Here's my crash course on how you, too, can wield this awesome soft (and cuddly) power:

1. Plush clip-on koalas

Plush clip-on koalas are the perfect embodiment of Australia’s unique identity. Unlike

postcards, stamps, or pins, which can convey a similar message, these koalas offer a tactile,

huggable “wow” factor that could cling to lanyards, laptop bags, and water bottles. Their

versatility and cuteness make them instant conversation starters. At the Y20 Summit,

delegates were excited to clip on their new koalas and show them off around the grounds.

Be warned, though: once a few koalas are spotted around the event, you might become too

popular, with delegates seeking you out for a koala of their own.

2. You can never bring enough

The universal appeal of koalas transcends borders, captivating policymakers, youth

delegates, and the public alike. For a relatively small investment (visit your local cheap shop/

discount store!), you can have a massive impact. At the Y20 Summit, we underestimated

demand, and the koalas ran out faster than expected. Plan to bring extras to ensure

everyone, from high-ranking diplomats to junior staff, gets their own slice of Australian. Pro

tip: always keep a few spares in your bag for spontaneous encounters.

3. Steer the conversation

Koala diplomacy is all about building genuine connections, and the plush koalas are your

ticket to breaking the ice with seriously cool people. Start with a warm “G’day” and live up to

Australia’s international reputation as being everyone’s mate. Ask an open-ended question

such as “have you already got a home in mind for your new friendly koala?” This invites

stories about their line of work, field of study, or extra curriculars. If they haven’t decided

where to display their koala, suggest fun spots like a handbag (koalas are much cooler than

Labubus), their computer monitor, or even a desk plant. These conversations open the

dialogue, making it easier to collaborate on initiatives small and large; including passing a

Y20 communiqué with unanimous consensus.

Conclusion

Koala diplomacy can provide a powerful blend of mateship and cultural appreciation that

elevates Australia’s global influence. The simplicity of a plush clip-on koala became the

catalyst for establishing meaningful connections in a short period of time. These clip-on

koalas allowed us to make the most of our time in Brazil, stablishing connects from the very

first day. Through developing these connections through the course of civil negotiations, we

have also developed friends with young professionals across the globe. To this day,

delegates share updates on where their koalas have ended up around the world. For young

Australians stepping into international forums, koala diplomacy offers a unique tool to lead

through connection. So, pack your plush koalas, share your stories, and embrace this soft

and adorable power.

References

Australian National Dictionary Centre. (2016, December). Word of the month: [Title of the featured word] [PDF]. Australian National University.

https://slll.cass.anu.edu.au/files/andc/WotM_December_2016.pdf

Grincheva, N. (2024). The past and future of cultural diplomacy. International Journal of

Cultural Policy, 30(2), 172–191. https://doi.org/10.1080/10286632.2023.2183949

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The views and opinions expressed by Global Voices Fellows do not necessarily reflect those of the organisation or its staff.