Australian and Chinese young leaders are again set to engage in frank and forthright dialogue about shared regional challenges at a key forum in Australia in September.
The fourth annual Australia-China Youth Dialogue (ACYD) will bring together 30 exceptional young leaders from both countries over five days to explore issues and trends affecting the two nations’ relationship.
ACYD Founder Henry Makeham said the event would present several sessions each with a panel of experts considering critical issues facing the bilateral relationship, such as Australia and China’s roles in the international climate framework.
“Influential speakers such as The Hon. Kim Beazley, Australian Ambassador to the United States, Professor The Hon Gareth Evans AC QC, Secretary to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dennis Richardson AO, and Secretary to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Peter Varghese AO are just some of the names that will lead opening address, panel discussions and keynote speeches for delegates to engage in lively discussion on Australia’s economic, security, trade and cultural relationship with China”, Mr Makeham said.
“The 2013 ACYD is an outstanding opportunity for delegates, between the ages of 18-30, selected from hundreds of applicants, to develop more sophisticated understandings of each other’s nations. ACYD’s most valuable asset is its ability to generate real and meaningful dialogue and develop genuine friendships between the young people who will one day be responsible for the ongoing development of the bilateral relationship”.
Mr Makeham said this year’s Dialogue – guided by the theme Asia Dream – follows several highly successful past Dialogues held in both China and Australia.
“For this year’s Dialogue, as a unique activity in partnership with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) International, delegates will visit the ABC Centre and learn about developments in the digital and online space being used to drive engagement with Chinese audiences.”
Natalie Cope, Director of the ACYD said that delegates will receive a fast track introduction on how to create creative and engaging content that can be used to connect with audiences and tell stories in an inspiring fashion.
“Following this session delegates will have the opportunity to produce interesting, engaging and creative user generated content to express themselves”, she said.
The ABC International will shortly release a smartphone App which will provide a unique platform to share this content with audiences in Australia and China.
The 2013 ACYD is presented by the Australia-China Youth Association in partnership with the China University Media Union and the All-China Youth Federation’s ‘Dialogue with the World’ series.
It will be held in Canberra from 24-27 September, and in Melbourne from 27-29 September.
Major sponsors include The Australian National University, Victorian Government, The Australia-China Council (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Asialink.
For more information on the ACYD 2013 visit www.acyd.org.au
Contact for media enquiries: Christine.Christmas@acyd.org.au