Foreign Policy White Paper
Australia’s 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper marked a pivotal moment in redefining how the nation shares its international strategy. We partnered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to create a digital platform that amplifies Australia’s global voice.
Purpose
The White Paper program exists to shape a secure, prosperous future for Australia by guiding foreign policy decisions that serve the public good and extend our international influence.
Challenge
The core challenge was to transform a traditionally static, printed document into an engaging, interactive digital experience that meets the diverse needs of global influencers, think tanks, and academics - while ensuring security, performance, and accessibility from the outset.
We delivered a digital-first platform that showcased Australia’s Foreign Policy strategy for a global audience.
Highlights
- Embedded the White Paper Task Force in collaborative workshops to shape a unified product vision across government.
- Transformed a traditional policy document into an interactive, accessible experience that deepens public engagement.
- Established a secure, future-ready foundation using GovCMS, providing longevity with reduced risk.
Unified product vision
Facilitated discovery workshops across government departments shaped a shared vision for the Foreign Policy White Paper website. This collaborative approach aligned diverse perspectives, ensuring the digital publication would meet the needs of all stakeholders and set a new standard for government communication.
Audience insight drives engagement
User research with influencers, think tanks, and the public informed every design decision. By understanding how different groups interact with foreign policy, we created a platform that connects, informs, and invites genuine participation from a global audience.
Digital-first, interactive experience
Transforming the White Paper from print to a digital publication made it more accessible and relevant. The interactive site increased engagement, extended Australia’s international influence, and provided a living document that adapts to ongoing policy conversations.
Secure, sustainable foundation
Built on GovCMS, the website balances security, performance, and adaptability. This foundation reduces risk for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, while supporting future updates and fresh ideas without disrupting service or compromising data integrity.
Purpose and partnership in action
Our embedded partnership with the White Paper Taskforce modelled transparency and shared learning. The result is a digital product that reflects Australia’s intent for a preferable future - anchored in evidence, crafted with care, and designed for lasting impact.
Client quote
"On behalf of DFAT, I want to thank you and your team for the enormous work you put into this project. You were an absolutely integral part of our team. You delivered an innovative and industry leading website for which we are getting excellent feedback. Well done to your very talented and hard-working team members."
Rebecca, Assistant Secretary DFAT