Lachlan Forster

Australian Public Servant | 2023 New Colombo Plan Scholar | International Relations and History graduate | Published Writer

Clyde, Victoria, Australia

About

I am an Australian Public Servant (APS4) with the Australian Government. I hold a First Class Honours Degree, with academic and professional interests spanning diplomacy, international institutions, political history, conflict, and cross-country relations. I completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne in 2023, majoring in International Relations and History, and am currently undertaking an Honours Year, building on my research interests in international cooperation, conflict dynamics, and diplomacy. I then graduated from La Trobe University in 2024 with an Honours in international relations, having constructed an 18,000 word thesis on the Commonwealth of Nations. Alongside my professional and academic work, I am an active writer and researcher, with publications across both online and print platforms. My writing has appeared on the Victorian Parliament’s website, International Affairs Forum, The Diplomatist, in the Chariot Undergraduate Journal of History, and Farrago Magazine. I have also contributed to organisations including the Young Diplomats Society, Young Australians in International Affairs, and the German–Southeast Asian Centre of Excellence’s Asia in Review. My work engages with policy, history, conflict resolution, international tensions, and peacebuilding, as well as timely analysis of breaking news and global developments. I was formerly an Intern with the Honorary Consulate of Canada in Melbourne. Previously, I undertook internships in Singapore and Malaysia as part of the 2023 New Colombo Plan Scholarship, awarded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. During this program, I worked with the Victorian Government Trade and Investment Office in Singapore and the Malaysia Australia Business Council, gaining first-hand experience in diplomatic practice, trade and investment relations, and international business engagement. I have been lucky enough to represent Australia in summits, forums and events in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. I consider myself an eager, dedicated, and trustworthy young professional, with strong skills in research, writing, analysis, stakeholder engagement, and cross-cultural communication. Feel free to message me for opportunities, collaboration, or simply to connect.

Experience

  • Council Member - Melbourne Youth Advisory Council at U.S. Embassy in Australia
    Apr 2026 - Present · 4 mos

  • Program Support Officer at Australian Government
    Feb 2025 - Present · 1 yr 6 mos

  • Contributing Writer at Young Diplomats Society
    Apr 2023 - Jun 2025 · 2 yrs 3 mos

    In this role, I have provided a range of analytical articles regarding political developments and stories from across the globe. I have produced high quality written essays on developments in nations such as Mali, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Belize and Zimbabwe, showing my depth of knowledge as pertains to global politics and international relations. My high standard of written work is reflected through my carefully considered and informative articles which provide equal parts information and analysis, highlighting multilateral perspectives and a high standard of research.

  • Intern at Honorary Consulate of Canada in Melbourne
    May 2024 - Feb 2025 · 10 mos

  • English Tutor at Austin Education
    Dec 2023 - Jan 2025 · 1 yr 2 mos