Asialink Leaders Program 2021 – Foundation Week Highlights
14 June 2021: Asialink’s flagship professional development program, the Asialink Leaders Program welcomed a talented group of Asia-engaged executives into this year’s program, with a reception to open the 2021 Foundation Week. Delivered in a contemporary hybrid format, the program takes place simultaneously online and face-to-face, across Australia as well as in the region. We caught up with Asialink Leaders Program Director, Lotta Oberg, to explore what made Foundation Week this year such a standout.
Q: What was new and innovative about Foundation Week this year?
Lotta: Foundation Week is always a highlight in the Leaders Program calendar. It’s the first time most Leaders get to meet each other, they are welcomed into the program by some of its 900 alumni, and it’s the formal start to the Leader’s seven month learning journey.
This year, as we continued to adapt to the Covid-19 pandemic, we wanted to ensure that we delivered an intensive, agile and highly innovative program. The Leaders convened in three city hubs – Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – and virtually, with each hub taking a turn to ‘anchor’ the program throughout the week. This meant our Leaders not only got to know their peers co-located in the same city, but could connect with the wider group around Australia, and with our participants joining from Seoul, Jakarta, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City.
What did it take to deliver this?
Lotta: Commitment, energy and pioneering spirit.
Delivering this multifaceted program in a hybrid form was no small feat – involving more than 50 dedicated Asialink Leaders, over 30 inspirational expert speakers and great teamwork from the whole of Asialink, together with our partners, Herbert Smith Freehills. We are all fuelled by the belief that there has never been a more important time to engage with Asia – and the need to ensure the pandemic does not stop neither our program, nor that engagement, but propels the development of both.
What were the highlights of the program? Can you share the main themes?
Lotta: With so many high-profile and provocative speakers, it’s difficult to single out just one highlight.
The impactful Welcome to Country by Dr Lois Peeler AM, inspired us to think deeply about our identity as we engage with the region. Anchored by Asialink CEO, Penny Burtt, from Melbourne, the first day of the program set the scene for the week, with the Leaders unpacking the impacts of issues like protectionism , the disruption of global suppy chains, intra-regional competition and ongoing digitalisation and innovation. Melbourne University’s Professor Michael Wesley delivered a thought-provoking keynote on Australia’s role in the region, the conundrum of our geography and how we can shape shared prosperity and security. The Leaders also explored contemporary issues in relations with ASEAN, Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia, including sessions with Australia’s Ambassador to Vietnam, HE Robyn Mudie and Singapore’s Ambassador to Australia, HE Kwok Fook Seng.
In Sydney, the Leaders explored contemporary North Asia and the impact of changing power dynamics and shifting economic weight. We unpacked Australia's relations with Japan, Korea and China, while considering some of the historical and cultural contexts shaping our connections with the region and sense of belonging. The day was capped-off by a provocative and thought-provoking panel on China with Jason Yat-Sen Li, Dr Geoff Raby AO and Professor Jocelyn Chey AM, followed by a dinner speech by ABC journalist Bill Birtles. Leaders explored contemporary issues around values and economic interests, and the need to consider multiple voices and take a long-term view.
In Brisbane, Leaders took a deep dive into Australia’s relations with India, while deeply recognising the current challenges presented by the Covid pandemic. Peter Varghese AO, Chancellor, The University of Queensland and Chair of the Asialink Council, gave an enlightening and thought-provoking virtual keynote on middle power diplomacy in a multipolar Indo-Pacific. In a separate panel, Associate Professor Shaun Star, Dr Jim Varghese, AM & Nehha Bhatnagar put the spotlight on new and growing opportunities in Australia’s relationship with India.
Do you have one or two personal favourite speeches?
Lotta: One of the speeches I have personally reflected on is the keynote our Asialink Leaders alumni, Tim Watts MP, delivered at the Opening Reception. We are all very proud to have Tim in our alumni Leaders community. He spoke about the critical need to continue to invest in deep and meaningful Asia engagement, and strengthen our institutions, capabilities, and Asia language literacy, as Australia and the world recover from the pandemic. He issued an inspiring call to action to 2021 Leaders and alumni, that we all have an opportunity to affect change at this pivotal time.
Another favourite session of mine and many Leaders, was with Shaykh Wesam Charkawi, co-founder of the Abu Hanifa Institute and Kean Wong, Journalist and Editor. They spoke so eloquently in conversation with Dr Pippa Dickson, Director of Asialink Arts, about building bridges and uncovering connections between multicultural Australia and Asia. A large part of the value comes from the diversity of perspectives on Asia engagement brought into the program.
With such a diverse program and range of high-profile speakers, what were the burning questions?
Lotta: Why Asia, Why Now, Why Me?
We are living in a complex region, in a challenging and complex time. The global pandemic has helped exacerbate geopolitical tensions, strategic risks, and the uneven pace and scope of growth in the Indo-Pacific. These seemingly straightforward questions ignite Leaders’ thinking through the program, as they pursue solutions to challenges in their Asia engagement.
Throughout Foundation Week, the Leaders focussed on developing the insights and skills to navigate this complexity. They reflected on sense of belonging and identity in the region, and asked important questions like ‘How does Australia diversify its trade and investment interests, while building long-term trust and relationships?
These are issues we will continue to explore together throughout the year.
What’s next in the Leaders journey?
Lotta: The Leaders have just completed a practical series on developing their individual Asia capabilities. They are about to kick-off personalised and small group coaching on their workplace projects, where they apply skills and knowledge to a practical initiative in their workplace. We are also busy planning for the 2021 Canberra Summit, where we explore Asia engagement through the lens of federal government – another high point in the Leaders Program.
For more on the Leaders Program or to express your interest for 2022, please visit here.
Access a selection of images from the 2021 Asialink Leaders Program - Foundation Week, please visit here.