Soon after attending the first ACYD in 2010, Huw Pohlner (second from right) promptly quit his Canberra job and went back to China, where he worked for start-up research consultancy China Policy. Huw was only familiar with China Policy and able to get work there after hearing his future boss speak at the ACYD! After moving to Melbourne in January 2012, Huw took up his current role as Manager of Strategy at Asialink (University of Melbourne) Australia¹s leading centre for the promotion of public engagement with Asia. He works in research and policy, and was project manager and lead author on a national strategy to develop an Asia capable workforce. The recommendations of this strategy were adopted by the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper.

Huw has been studying part-time since 2011 and is graduating from a Master of Law, Governance and Development at the ANU. Not a moment too soon, as Huw is about to leave Australia to do even more study. He is the recipient of a General Sir John Monash Scholarship and will commence studies toward a DPhil in Geography and the Environment at Oxford University from October 2013. His research will focus on the local politics and social/environmental impacts of water governance in China.

NB: Applications for the 2013 Australia-China Youth Dialogue (ACYD) in Canberra and Perth (24 to 29 September 2013) are now open! For more information please visit our applications and FAQ pages.