CHEN Sheng (2012 Chinese Delegate)
陈胜：2012 ACYD给了我了解四十多位来自各行各业年轻人的绝佳机会，通过他们进而知道了在日益增多的中澳政治、经济、教育、文化、NGO交往中，年轻人都在关注什么、他们对未来的世界有哪些期盼又在践行着哪些承诺。更重要的一点是，能够直接与ACYD邀请的二十多位长期从事中澳双边事务的专家学者、企业家进行开诚布公的交流，让我受益匪浅。
十分期盼ACYD能够长期开展下去，以便为中澳两国，特别是两国的年轻人开启一个新的交流之门。
FENG Shenghao (2012 Chinese Delegate)
“It’s funny when I just count the days. The whole ACYD activities only went on for five days, but it has since become a referencing point for me ever since. Hardly a day or two go by without hearing interesting things from the delegates and organisers. And the circle just keeps getting larger and larger. I never could imagine meeting so many interesting people who share similar interests with myself. The ACYD is like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Weibo, Wikipedia, Big Bang Theory and all the good stuff combined and squeezed in a 3-dimensional reality bombshell – it’s ADDICTIVE, but in a good way.”
Kyle FOX (2012 ACYD Australian Delegate)
“The 2012 ACYD: seven days with no sleep, no peace, a blizzard of ideas, personalities and language. It made foie gras of my previously fairly healthy mind, force fed on a diet of eureka moments, chilli and the occasional beer. As a self-proclaimed Sinophile who has not had a decent bowl of dandanmian in seven years, ACYD gave me the opportunity to talk with the people who are currently doing the deals, framing the big questions and pioneering new aspects of the Australia-China relationship. More importantly, I ate frog, sang karaoke, practiced tai chi, cracked bad jokes, exchanged cringe worthy dance moves and pretended to be sophisticated with a group of truly excellent young and youngish people from Australia and China. By the end of the week, I was like an eight year old being dragged home from the Easter Show, tired, emotional, but thinking of every type of scheme I could imagine so I could stay in China with my new friends just a little longer.
ACYD is an example of a great idea that, given the enthusiasm and hard work of its organisers, just works. I would recommend anyone interested in the Australia China relationship to become involved with ACYD in any way they can.”
Joshua GRAY (2010 Australian Delegate)
“Having discussed the abstract idea of the Australia-China Youth Association in Beijing cafes with a motley bunch of Australians in 2008, I was extremely pleased to see an event like the Australia-China Youth Dialogue come to fruition some two years later. Reading through the truly exceptional delegate and speaker profiles before leaving gave me a genuine sense of excitement.
The best part of the dialogue was spending time developing personal friendships with an eclectic cohort of young Australians and Chinese, all committed to developing deeper links between our countries.
The program for discussion touched on all of the big issues underpinning the Australia-China relationship. The subtleties and nuances of what we heard led to the most rewarding exchange. For example, we learnt how the concept of face in Chinese culture was being successfully exploited in grassroots environmental activism. Such stories get little reporting in the Australian press, which tend to be preoccupied with fanning hysteria over Chinese investment in the Australian resources sector.
There were many more examples which reminded me to keep an open mind when I think about China and what it means; perhaps an impossible task. China is a contradictory, diverse and undeniably important place.
I hope that the Chinese delegates had a similar experience and will see Australia as more than a farm or hole in the ground. One can only imagine where the ACYD class of 2010 will be in ten years time and I look forward to continuing to engage in dialogue then, although I’ll surely no longer be a ‘youth’!”
Clive LEE (2012 Chinese Delegate)
“ACYD is the best program I have ever joined across the globe and nothing compares with it! A fresh source of inspiration from prestigious speakers across all sectors, e.g. international relations, government, finance, energy, arts and culture, entrepreneurship, environment, social entrepreneurship and also social sectors within 7 days. Speakers included HE Ms Frances Adamson, Ambassador of Australia, Mr. Chistophe Bahuet, China Country Director of the United Nations Development Programme, Ms. Jing Ulrich, J.P. Morgan’s Managing Director and Chairman of Global Markets, China and etc. Their holistic views about Sino-Australia relationship will blow your mind away, and sometimes, their differing opinions will challenge your perceptions. It is very challenging, exciting, rewarding and enjoyable!
My addiction of ACYD also comes from the non-stop exchange between delegates whom had very unique and diverse backgrounds regarding their values, beliefs, knowledge, expertise and collaboration! The ACYD provides a foundation for us to begin our dialogue to understand one another and move forward to reach our common goal of world peace, sustainability and collaborative development! We are now working together on a white paper which may inspire the future generations about how the Sino-Australia relationship can develop for the certainty of goodness for our world! ACYD is not only a program but a journey for all of us and the journey has just begun!”
中澳青年对话”是一个无与伦比的活动!」这样说足以说明这是我参加过最高水平的国际青年会议! 一周的思想盛宴,让你身处世界的顶端,看到不一样的画面!你将遇见世界级的讲者, 如澳大利亚驻北京大使,联合国发展计划中国总监, JP Morgan中国全球市场董事总经理兼主席等. 内容广泛,从政治,国际关系,经济商业,文化艺术, 环境保育,能源,非牟利发展,社会创新等均一一涵盖.从他们对于中澳关系的宏观看法,并与之深入交流,你将得到无法想像的思想冲击,激荡和启发!我对于“中澳青年对话”的深爱还来自于中澳两方各个专业的代表,与其高水平的交流,分享大家的不同观点,信念与价值,如何达到协同效应.我們現在正在共同撰写一份文件, 希望可以启发未来中澳关系的友好发展!“中澳青年对话”不单是一个交流活动,而是一个共同探索的旅程,现在这个旅程才刚要
开始!
Jade LITTLE (2012 Australian Delegate)
“ACYD far exceeded my expectations. It was a thought-provoking five days that examined issues from politics, economics and law to culture and sports. This encouraged me to broaden my understanding of the Australia-China relationship, and inspired me to re-affirm my commitment to it. I cannot speak highly enough of the diverse range of speakers, delegates and organisers. While all incredibly intelligent and high-achieving, they were also a lot of fun (which lead to much sleep-deprivation as one would often go out in the evenings after a full day of dialogue). The locations selected and events organised were also superb: Capital M Restaurant in Beijing, Taichi in Jingshan Park, Chengdu Panda Base, Tainfu Software Park, the list goes on. I cannot recommend ACYD enough to any young person who has an interest in the Australia-China relationship. You will learn a lot, you will meet amazing individuals, you will make fantastic friends, and ultimately you will be inspired.”