Asialink Leaders Program 2022 Canberra Summit

6 October 2022: The Canberra Summit has built a strong reputation over many years as a major highlight of the Asialink Leaders Program, Australia’s flagship program for developing Asia-capable leaders for over 27 years.  

In August, this year’s cohort of 50 Leaders convened in person in the nation’s capital and via our Virtual Hub with participants from across Asia, to immerse themselves in Australia’s relationships with Asia at a national level. The three-day program featured workshops, keynote addresses, panel discussions and experiences across a range of culturally significant institutions in Canberra – from Parliament House to the National Portrait Gallery, The National Press Club, the Boat House and an intimate and exclusive dinner at the Indonesian Ambassador’s residence.  

The Summit was held at a crucial time for Australia and its position in this region, against a backdrop of post-pandemic recovery, technological disruption and geopolitical uncertainty. With Asia engagement placed front and centre of the new federal government’s policy agenda, there was a renewed sense of urgency and optimism as leaders gathered for the summit to address key issues and identify opportunities critical to securing Australia’s future economic prosperity.  

Leaders had the opportunity to engage with a great diversity of leading voices, gaining insights from those that shape, chart and influence Australia’s relationship with the region. The line-up featured politicians and senior public servants, diplomats and arts leaders, change-makers in renewable energy and thought-leaders on language, think tanks and the media.  

For the first time, we extended an exclusive invitation with limited places on offer for our 1000-strong alumni network to join the Canberra Summit. The Asialink Leaders Program prides itself on cultivating future leaders to advance Australia’s engagement with the region. The inclusion of alumni at this year’s summit is part of our renewed commitment to engage actively with our alumni and provide these crucial updates on a region that is growing and evolving rapidly. The group joining us travelled from all over Australia and even Singapore and represented alumni dating back to 2004, illustrating the enduring value of this program and the calibre of participants. 

We were also delighted to welcome key partners, stakeholders and friends of Asialink to a special luncheon as part of the Summit which featured a powerful keynote address from the Hon Tim Watts MP, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and 2017 Asialink Leaders Program Alumnus on Australia’s identity and what it means for foreign policy. Tim shared his deeply personal story, experiences and perspectives on the three narratives of Australia’s national identity and the role we can all play in shaping a new identity that is truly reflective of Modern Australia. The full speech is available here.   

The broader Summit agenda provided leaders with the opportunity to engage on critical issues impacting our engagement with the region across the following themes:  

  • Day 1. Parliament House – Government, Politics and Foreign Policy. Leaders experienced a “behind the scenes” tour of how our engagement with Asia is shaped, hearing from the most senior voices in the Australia-Asia relationship around the current agenda and strategic direction for our engagement with Asia across politics, policy and diplomacy.  

  • Day 2. National Portrait Gallery – Identity, Image and Agency. Leaders explored our national identity and how this will shape how we engage in our region, and how co-development, respect and reciprocity are vital to Australia’s reputation and engagement.  

  • Day 3. National Press Club – Economic Engagement, Innovation and Influence. Leaders engaged on important issues across trade, science, renewables, climate change, politics, and the media in the context of Australia’s competitive advantages and potential contributions to the region in addressing complex global challenges, such as climate change and security risk. 

Images L-R: Peter Varghese, AO Chancellor, the University of Queensland; and Chairman, Asialink Advisory Council and Kathy Klugman, International Adviser, Office of the Prime Minister sharing key insights into the role of advisers; Leigh Howard, CEO, Asialink Business, entertaining leaders and guest speakers at the Boat House lunch; Leaders explored our national identity in our engagement with the Indo-Pacific region with guests Kristi Monfries, Volcanic Winds Indonesian Art, Dr Maya Haviland, ANU, Craig Ritchie, CEO, AIATSIS; ‘Why Asia, Why Now, Why Me?’ lunch session with the Hon Tim Watts MP, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leaders 2017 Alumnus; At the Boat House featuring Diplomats from four Indo-Pacific nations including HE Busadee Santipitaks, Ambassador for Thailand, Leaders in action, Leaders interview Zoe Daniel MP, Federal Member for Goldstein on how her experiences in Asia inspired her journey into politics and her focus on climate action

As the Summit drew to a close, Leaders were invited to contribute their voices to the critical question “What will it take for Australia to succeed in Asia in the next 10 years?” Leaders reflected on their own role in inspiring change within their organisations and communities and in creating opportunities that will help to define Australia’s future with Asia. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our esteemed guests and speakers who shared their journeys and insights with our Asialink Leaders throughout the summit. A special thanks to our program partner Herbert Smith Freehills, and for joining us at key moments.  

To find out more about the Asialink Leaders Program and how the program can benefit you and your organisation, please contact us. For more information and to apply for our 2023 program visit https://asialinkbusiness.com.au/training-programs/asialink-leaders-program-2023.