During the recent visit to Manila of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a strategic partnership was signed with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. consisting of a framework for closer cooperation and a strong alignment of strategic interests. Boosting the ties between the governments, four initiatives were rolled out, viz.:

1)  Australia Awards scholarships to double current numbers; 50 scholarships for 2024 will be awarded to Filipinos for Masters and PhD programs in Australia;

2) The re-establishment of a Philippines Institute at Australian National University to boost ANU's ties with Southeast Asia and deepen shared understanding of perspectives and interests;

3) A new reciprocal Work and Holiday visa for Australians and Filipinos in support of stronger economic, cultural and people-to-people links;

4) A $64.5-million contribution to peacebuilding in conflict-affected Mindanao via a five-year program to reduce violent conflict, reintegrate former combatants, and support community development for women.

In no small measure, thus, the Philippines stands to benefit from this partnership never before initiated in regional cooperation history. There's reason to believe the trajectory of this partnership will augur well for qualified students, academicians, constituents in far-flung Mindanao, women and the like. The Australian government has just opened "windows of opportunity" to anyone chasing the so-called "Australian dream" — to study, live or work there.

As a good and earlier nucleus of these developments, in the recently concluded 18th Asia Pacific Sociological Association Conference held at the University of Sydney (USYD) last 2-4 July, scholars and experts from around the world showcased their works and networked with other researchers on the theme: "Diversity, Inclusion and Social Cohesion: Towards social and environmental advancement and sustainable development goals attainment."

Australia's brand of multi-culturalism is nothing new, the reason people from every part of Europe, the United States, United Kingdom, China, India, even the Philippines — among others — have been flocking to this continent in search of greener pastures. The Filipino presence reflects a negligible portion, while the Indian presence fares significantly better per available geopolitical data.