Dr Keith Suter AM

Dr Keith Suter is the Managing Director of the Global Directions think tank. He is an economic and social commentator, strategic planner, author and broadcaster. He is considered one of Australia’s most influential Global futurists and media commentators in national and foreign affairs.

He has also been a member of the prestigious Club of Rome since 1993. The Club is “an informal association of independent leading personalities from politics, business and science, men and women who are long-term thinkers interested in contributing in a systemic interdisciplinary and holistic manner to a better world. The Club of Rome members share a common concern for the future of humanity and the planet.” The club has only 100 members, with Mikhail Gorbachev amongst them.

Keith has achieved three doctorates. The first of these was about the international law of guerrilla warfare (University of Sydney), and the second about the social and economic consequences of the arms race (Deakin University) and a third doctorate on scenario planning (Sydney University).

As a broadcaster, he appears on Australian radio an average of once a day. He is Channel Seven’s “Sunrise” foreign affairs editor and also a foreign policy analyst for Sky TV Australia.

In 2019 Keith was appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia.

Academic Expert:

Dr Keith Suter has achieved three doctorates. The first of these was about the international law of guerrilla warfare (University of Sydney), and the second about the social and economic consequences of the arms race (Deakin University) and a third doctorate on scenario planning (Sydney University).

Leadership Roles:

He has been appointed to many prestigious roles throughout his career, including Chairperson of the International Humanitarian Law Committee of Australian Red Cross (NSW), Chairperson of the International Commission of Jurists (NSW), Director of Studies at the International Law Association (Australian Branch) and Managing Director of the Global Directions think tank.

Global Recognition:

He has also been a member of the prestigious Club of Rome since 1993. The Club is “an informal association of independent leading personalities from politics, business and science, men and women who are long-term thinkers interested in contributing in a systemic interdisciplinary and holistic manner to a better world. The Club of Rome members share a common concern for the future of humanity and the planet.” The club has only 100 members, with Mikhail Gorbachev amongst them.

Keith is a Life Member of the United Nations Association of Australia in recognition of his service. At various times from 1978 to 1999, he served as the national president of the organisation and took on the roles of the WA and NSW state president.

Strategic Roles:

Keith was the President of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (1991-1998) at the University of Sydney, and was a Consultant on Social Policy with the Wesley Mission’s for 17 years. In addition, he served as a consultant for a number of other organisations, with a focus on local and international issues.

He is also an active member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Renowned author:

Amongst Keith’s many books are “All about Terrorism: Everything you were afraid to ask” and “Global Order and Global Disorder: Globalization and the Nation-State” and “50 Things You Want to Know About World Issues… But Were Too Afraid to Ask”

“Keith is arguably the best Keynote we have had for one of our conferences. His depth of knowledge and ability to link and explain complex issues in a simple and compelling framework had all delegates hanging on his every word. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for an engaging keynote who is not afraid to operate without PowerPoint.”

Instil Group

“Dr Suter is an exceptional speaker with the presence to hold the interest of the audience from beginning to end.”

Property Council of SA

“Highlights of the day included the very powerful and thought provoking keynote address by Dr Keith Suter. Keith Suter’s presentation was superb, his views on the importance of global education in the schools curriculum was well received by all attendees and staff, we have had some fantastic feedback regarding his presentation.”

World Vision Australia

“Excellent. Dr Suter spoke at the VACC President’s Dinner for 40 minutes, but it only seemed like 20. His intellect and knowledge is awesome, but he presented some extremely complex and serious global matters in a language that all could understand. Not only was his presentation extremely interesting, but very entertaining. It was a pleasure working with Dr Suter.”

VACC

Keith’s presentations are created to help audiences make sense of the World.

His presentations can explore broad themes e.g. economic issues or country-specific e.g. China. They can also be issue-specific e.g. role of the media in shaping our understanding of the world.

Keith’s style is to:

1. Blend a sense of history – “how we got here”?
2. A sense of context – “what is actually happening now”?
3. Speculation on what could happen in the future – encouraging people “to think about the unthinkable”.

Below are some of the core themes Keith can create presentations on, they include:

“Preparing for the future”

Enlightens audiences on how they can make the most of the future. It examines techniques for:

1. Prediction
2. Creating a preferred version for a business or country and
3. What could possibly happen which we are not yet seeing (scenario planning).

“Leadership”

Looking at different leadership styles and new trends (such as the rise of the leaderless society), Keith also discusses characteristics of some of the leaders he has encountered over the decades.

“Corporate Governance”

Examines the new trends in how companies and organisations are now being run with a focus on creating a strong corporate governance mindset. He explains why this is valuable and the important role ethics plays in business today.

“Education”

Education is a major growth industry in Australia with international students representing Australia’s third largest export industry. Keith discusses how organisations can make the most of this education boom.

AS AN MC

Keith is also in high demand a business MC and facilitator. Combing his extensive academic and business experience, Keith is able to bring immense value to any MC or facilitation role for virtually any industry sector.