The announcement was made during a meeting between the Australian and Malaysian Foreign Ministers in Sydney on 29 November.

In welcoming Malaysian Foreign Minister the Hon Dato’ Saifuddin Abdullah on his first visit to our shores as Foreign Minister, the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said that she was very proud to announce Malaysia as the 2020 focus country for Australia’s flagship public diplomacy program.

A highlight of the visit was the signing of a bilateral film co-production agreement between our two countries to promote creative and commercial exchange between our screen industries.

The exciting year-long program will celebrate our bilateral partnership, showcase Australian creativity and innovation to Malaysian audiences, and tie in with Malaysia’s own Visit Malaysia 2020 tourism campaign.

Australia now Malaysia 2020 looks like it’s already promising to deliver an impressive line-up of talent.

The post Australia now 2020 will celebrate our links with Malaysia! appeared first on Australia Now 2019.

Elise Stephenson who co-heads Social Good Outpost, together with special guest speaker Felicity Furey, shared their entrepreneurial journeys of creating social change and making impact on the topic of gender equality and diversity across the ASEAN region. Elise said she felt the week of workshops had really made a difference to the participants who attended: “There were so many times I was blown away by the incredible work of the in-country partners, particularly the youth component – there was a lot of optimism and excitement about the event series, and many connections made”.

The events and workshops were held across Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi as part of Gender Month in Vietnam, working with almost 30 different organisations and hundreds of people around topics such as: increasing women in non-traditional industries such as engineering; using entrepreneurship to problem-solve gender inequality and creating innovative and impactful communications campaigns, particularly for topics such as gender-based violence prevention.

There was a lot of interest generated from the Vietnamese community on continuing a youth partnership with the Australian connections established. Skills-based transfer of knowledge throughout the week was a powerful way to tackle sensitive topics like domestic violence and gender inequality. The scope of varied events run, provided the opportunity to reach both a large national audience through television, and a deep, qualitatively-rich audience across different sectors. The Social Good Outpost team commended the enthusiasm and support of the Australian Embassy team who helped to facilitate an incredibly successful program.

Covered by two national TV channels and numerous other media in Vietnam, the Youth Entrepreneurs Leaders & Speaker Series was all about connecting powerful agents of change across Australia and Vietnam. Social Good Outpost and Australia now remain excited about the future of the Speaker’s Series which has sought to bring young Australian voices at the forefront of impact, to share their stories with those across the ASEAN region. More than a public diplomacy program, the Youth Entrepreneurs Leaders & Speaker Series has proved that real change can be made when we work together fearlessly over challenging topics – and that we all have something to learn from each other!

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Through the partnership with Australia now ASEAN, CEA delivered a truly amazing program of events in Thailand and Malaysia from April to August.

In a recent article published in Entrepreneur Asia Pacific magazine, CEA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mark Gustowski said ‘The time is right to engage more deeply in this space, and “Australia can’t Afford to Miss the Boat on Southeast Asia’s Flourishing Start-up Scene”.  While the entire Southeast Asian region presents tremendous opportunity for Australian engagement, CEA has found Thailand to be an excellent landing pad for early in-market exposure, leading to more demand for Australian innovation activities in other countries including Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia.

CEA has worked tirelessly throughout the year to build and support the Australia-ASEAN bridge to promote international trade while educating Australian audiences on the economic importance of ASEAN.  CEA work collaboratively with universities, government, entrepreneurs and investors in Australia and abroad, connecting ecosystems both in terms of soft diplomacy and at a grassroots level by delivering activities on the ground.
Through their incredibly well received series of bootcamps, workshops, hackathons and accelerator events, CEA have exported valuable Australian knowledge and expertise to ASEAN, while also providing exposure to its primary stakeholder, the Queensland University of Technology, by promoting South East Queensland and Australia as a prime study destination and providing in-market outreach and activation.

Australia now looks forward to a continued relationship with QUTCEA to strengthen people-to-people links, while engaging and connecting youth audiences across Southeast Asia and increasing the innovative capability of future leaders across the region.

Eight dynamic activities were delivered by CEA under the Australia now ASEAN 2019 partnership:
· RISE Corporate Innovation Summit (CIS) – 28-29 March 2019 Bangkok, Thailand
· SwitchOn KL (International student hackathon) – 12 June 2019 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
· Techsauce Global Summit, Australia Startup Pavilion – 19-20 June 2019 Bangkok, Thailand
· Australian Startup Showcase BKK – Investor pitch and networking event showcasing 18   Australian startups – 19 June 2019 Bangkok, Thailand
· Asia Immersion – 17-21 June 2019 Bangkok, Thailand
· Startup Bumper I – 26-27 July 2019 Bangkok, Thailand
· Startup Thailand Conference – 23-27 July 2019 Bangkok, Thailand
· Startup Bumper II – 31 August – 1 September 2019 Bangkok, Thailand

CEA represented an Australian presence at three signature Thailand innovation ecosystem events in 2019. Each event included CEA delivering presentations and program delivery activities strengthening trade and investment links with Australia.

RISE Corporate Innovation Summit (CIS) – Bangkok, Thailand
More than 2000 corporate innovation professionals and stakeholders attended the RISE Corporate Innovation Summit (CIS) in March, Asia’s First Experiential Conference. At CIS, CEA delivered a 90-minute workshop on “Pitch Training for Corporate Innovation”, a hands-on workshop designed to support innovation within large organisations and the process required to drive entrepreneurial thinking and entrepreneurial mind-set in corporates. The Corporate Innovation Summit encouraged enterprises to learn and better understand the significance of innovation as the key driver of economic development. With great emphasis on the use of practical tools and methodology, the summit nurtured Southeast Asia’s innovation ecosystem in the business environment by transforming mindsets through workshops that covered the following aspects of corporate innovation: Skillset and Mindset Transformation, Corporate Venture Capital, Corporate Entrepreneurship, M&A and Bey.

Techsauce Global Summit 2019 – Bangkok, Thailand
Australia’s presence at Techsauce Global Summit 2019 in the Australia Startup Pavilion  helped represent Australia’s innovation ecosystem.  18 Australian startups were featured along with 6 Keynote talks and expert panels . The hugely successful event saw over 15,000 delegates from more than 50 countries get fired up with hundreds of investors, speakers and startups. For the second consecutive year, CEA managed the Australia Startup Pavilion at the Techsauce Global Summit. The TSGS is one of Southeast Asia’s leading tech, innovation and startup conferences and in 2019, CEA engaged a number of government organisations including DFAT, Austrade and Advance Queensland to occupy a 6m x 6m showcase and networking area to promote Australian innovation and collaboration with the region. A total of 18 selected Australian startups, covering a wide range of sectors, were present at the pavilion.

Startup Thailand 2019: Startup Nation – Bangkok, Thailand
Startup Thailand 2019: Startup Nation showcased the latest innovations, insights from global thought leaders, and garnered participant opportunities for synergy and financing. Startup Thailand is an important Southeast Asian technology conference and presented a prime opportunity to connect with networks in the region with more than 400 startups from 25 different countries and over 300 tech experts and speakers attending the event. CEA was pleased to have had the opportunity to bring over some Australian startups to the event, while also speaking about Australia’s innovation ecosystem, and the role government has played in supporting entrepreneurship and program activities.

Look out for QUTCEA delivering more amazing events in Thailand throughout the coming year.

                  Mark Gustowski, Chief Executive Officer of CEA representing CEA
                  at the SwitchOn Bootcamp 2019 in Kuala Lumpur.

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The Youth Entrepreneurs & Leaders Speaker Series showcases, inspires, celebrates and connects young entrepreneurs and leaders that are making a difference to their societies across Australia and Southeast Asia.

Nicole Gibson, multi-award-winning social entrepreneur and mental health advocate, ran an incredibly well received program which engaged educators, parents and youth in thinking about and tackling mental health and issues with bullying.

The Director General of Foreign Relations praised Nicole and the way she was able to engage with her audience, and was impressed with not only her high level of expertise and understanding, but also her approach to recognising and supporting culture. Directly contributing to the success of the program, talks are currently underway to look at continuing some form of exchange yearly, which would foster greater Laos-Australia youth collaboration and exchange.

The program was the first time that the Australian Embassy had engaged with the Lao Youth Union – a government-backed body who were supportive and excited to be involved. Multiple workshops saw many issues covered including mental health and social enterprise for up to 200 young Laos people per event.

Curator Nicole Gibson said “Working with communities across the world is always a remarkable experience. To deliver this work in partnership with the Australian government, in moments, made me feel extremely patriotic. What I loved most was the integrity in which the program ran, with true and sustainable partnerships with local non-profits and existing progressive communities in Laos. It amazed me the receptivity and openness I experienced from the community, especially considering the amount of times I heard “this is the first time I’ve ever engaged in a conversation about mental health.”

Nicole praised the enthusiasm, and warm reception she received from participants, adding ‘They were brave, vocal and demonstrated a lot of leadership. Their questions around relationships, love and well-being fascinated me; it felt progressive, real and like we were really challenging the status quo – not from a place of aggression, but rather rational thinking and heart- based perspectives.’

Social Good Outpost will next visit Brunei in November delivering their final program in the series, Sustainable Fashion & Social Enterprise.

Photo credit: Social Good Outpost

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Football Federation Australia Chief Executive, David Gallop AM, paid tribute to the Young Socceroos for their win against Malaysia 1-0 in the final of the 2019 AFF U-18 Championship in Vietnam in August. Gallop noted that the whole squad and coaching staff should be delighted with their achievement.

“Many congratulations to the Young Socceroos and head coach Gary van Egmond on winning the AFF U-18 Championship for a record-equalling fifth time,” said Gallop.

“The team performed brilliantly throughout, in often difficult conditions, and bounced back from a group stage defeat to a very strong Malaysia team to claim the title in a gripping final.”

“It’s great to celebrate any success in Australian football and I’m delighted that our junior national teams are progressing.”

“I’m sure the Young Socceroos win will inspire the Joeys U-17 squad as they prepare to take on the world’s best at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil at the end of October.”
Adelaide United striker Lachlan Brook got the vital goal in the final, rifling home the winner in the 79th minute at the Thống Nhất Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City.

Van Egmond, in his first tournament in charge of the Under-18’s, said he was extremely proud of the team’s performance.

“It’s fantastic preparation. The fact that we saw these boys in this type of environment, the staff being in a position where they’re working together to understand processes, to understand exactly the principles of play and for the players to get used to these types of conditions,” the Young Socceroos boss said.

“It’s just invaluable for these players to get this opportunity at this tournament, so that we can prepare in the best possible way for the upcoming qualifiers.”

Best of luck to our Young Socceroos in their upcoming ventures.

The post Young Socceroos scoop fifth AFF U-18 Championship in Vietnam! appeared first on Australia Now 2019.

The program kicked off from 10-12 August in Ho Chi Minh City, followed by events in Singapore on 13-14 August, before finishing on 15-17 August in Jakarta.

While the A2ELP group were in Jakarta, the ASEAN Mission hosted a roundtable meeting with ASEAN Ambassador, Jane Duke, to discuss ASEAN-Australia relations and cooperation to promote smart cities. The group also met with H.E. Kung Phoak Deputy Secretary General for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community and toured the new ASEAN Secretariat building, recently opened by Indonesian President Widodo.

Ambassador Duke also hosted the group for a networking reception with other A2ELP alumni, smart cities stakeholders and ASEAN contacts at her residence.

The A2ELP leadership program ran for 3 months, made up of 15 social entrepreneurs from ASEAN and Australia (5 Australians and an entrepreneur from each of the 10 ASEAN countries). The extensive program featured dialogue, workshops, networking events, field visits, cultural activities, and implementation support.

The post A2ELP ASEAN Smart Cities Success appeared first on Australia Now 2019.

Hosted in Bangkok, the recent 5th AFMAM was an opportunity for university students from across ASEAN and Australia to understand how ASEAN decision-makers address regional issues. Through a series of simulated ASEAN meetings, the 160 competitively selected delegates discussed key problems affecting ASEAN and Australia, and drafted plans on how ASEAN should respond.

The topics discussed at AFMAM spanned the varied and complex issues affecting today’s Indo-Pacific region, including counter-terrorism, the health of migrant workers, the development of an inclusive digital economy and the transition to renewable energy.

As a celebration of Australia’s involvement, AFMAM 2019 also hosted a dedicated simulation on Australia and ASEAN relations. This focused on enhancing the Sydney Declaration made by ASEAN and Australia leaders on the future of the ASEAN-Australia partnership at ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in March 2018.

Australian Ambassador to ASEAN, Ms Jane Duke, said Australia now ASEAN 2019 and activities like AFMAM offered a unique opportunity for Australian and ASEAN youth to develop their intercultural understanding, leadership skills, deepen their understanding of ASEAN-Australia relations and build lasting friendships.

“AFMAM delegates were able to bear witness and learn from the incredible diversity of the region.” Ms Duke said.

“Through the exchange of culture, ideas and knowledge, delegates were able to hone their negotiation and leadership skills in a uniquely-ASEAN context and build lasting connections with their peers.”

Australian delegate to AFMAM and 2019 NCP ASEAN Fellow, Cameron Allan, said that a highlight of AFMAM was the opportunity to discuss a regional problem in depth.

“As part of the ASEAN Economic Community track, my time was spent discussing the future of cities. This involved debating how ASEAN nations could reform transportation, waste management and digital connectivity to build smarter and more inclusive cities” Mr Allan said.

“AFMAM was a rare opportunity to listen to and comprehend perspectives on urban development from across the Southeast Asian region. Hearing directly from ASEAN youth has helped me appreciate the complexity of regional problems, especially how the development gap between nations can impact policy solutions.”

Another Australian delegate, Ashley Ramachandran, particularly enjoyed the cultural experience of AFMAM.

“It was fascinating to be surrounded by so many diverse individuals and learn about the unique aspects of different cultures. AFMAM has brought me closer with so many young people from the region with the desire to make a difference” Mrs Ramachandran said.

Australia’s involvement in the 5th AFMAM this year was proudly supported by Australia now ASEAN 2019.

The post AFMAM – ASEAN & Australian youth meeting in Bangkok appeared first on Australia Now 2019.

The sister-led team at Social Good Outpost, Lara and Elise Stephenson, worked with a number of local organisations such as SHE Investments, Impact Hub, Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, Politikoffee and Future Forum, on topics ranging from gender, creativity and design, to social enterprise. “Like Australia, Cambodia has a social enterprise scene that is really beginning to thrive. Social enterprise is such an interesting and empowering way of tackling social issues, from poverty and disenfranchisement, to gender equality.”

“Young people are smart, energetic and driven. So much magic happens when you bring young people together to think and collaborate. That’s what we are trying to do with our program here in Cambodia,” said Elise Stephenson – Curator of the program,  Director of Social Good Outpost and former New Colombo Plan scholar.

The week long program of workshops and events saw Social Good Outpost and the Australian Embassy engage directly with almost 300 young people, focussing heavily on skills and knowledge transfer, with some participants travelling more than four hours to attend.  Participants were incredibly engaged, sharing stories and experiences on a range of issues including women’s leadership in politics, social entrepreneurship, communication around LGBTI+ awareness, diversity and empowerment.

The team at Social Good Outpost will take their Youth Entrepreneurs & Leaders speaker series to Laos next.  Highlights include ‘Bullying & Youth Mental Health‘ dialogue with youth, local schools and NGOs, along with workshops and panel discussions with local LGBTI and human rights groups and the Australian Embassy on LGBTI+ rights, progress and empowerment.

Photos: Impact Hub, Phnom Penh, Courtesy Australian Embassy, Phnom Penh

The post Social Enterprise, start-ups & gender equality dialogue in Cambodia appeared first on Australia Now 2019.

The popular screening was followed by a Q&A session with Ms Holden and moderated by Michelle Goh from the S.E.A Aquarium’s Conservation and Research Department.

During the Q&A Katrina noted: “We all need to look at what we consume. We need to ask, if it’s so cheap, why is it so cheap? As consumers and individuals we have the opportunity to demand change and change our behaviour.” Katrina was delighted to hear from 8-year-old Singapore-born Australian at the event, Lana, who has started a group called ‘Save Our Earth’ (SOE) with her school friends.

Katrina Holden started her career as a conservation biologist before becoming a film maker 23 years ago. She works as Head of Factual at Northern Pictures, a company that produces natural history and social issue films for international broadcast. BLUE is her first theatrical film and had its official debut at the UN in New York in 2017 before its international cinema release. The film has been translated into 10 languages and reached an audience of 3 million people.

The Australian High Commission in Singapore was thrilled to support the screening of the film as part of Australia now 2019, taking its important messages to a local audience. Due to popular demand, BLUE enjoyed two additional screenings during July.

Australian film maker Katrina Holden delighted audiences and shared her knowledge at the post film Q&A in Singapore. Photo credits: DFAT/Elliot Small

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Audra encouraged students to cook from the heart, learn about where food comes from and improvise. “A recipe is purely a guide. Each environment is different so you must be flexible,” she said during the masterclass, “When I was growing up, Singapore still had farms. It is so important to learn where our food comes from. We have such an amazing cultural mix in Singapore. It’s such a waste if we don’t know our own food.”

Audra Morrice also discussed sustainability and reducing food waste on farms, a large proportion of which is due to consumer preferences for perfect vegetables. “In Australia, 25 per cent of agricultural product is wasted. Consumers are making it difficult for growers,” she said, “We need to get over the idea that food needs to be perfect; because we’re not perfect.”

Audra featured innovative broccoli, spinach, cauliflower and pumpkin vegetable powders in her dishes. The powders were developed by Australia’s CSIRO, and Australian horticulture industry body, Hort Innovation, to help reduce food loss on farms, create new revenue streams for farmers and pack extra vegetables into our diet.

During his introduction, Australia’s High Commissioner to Singapore, Mr Bruce Gosper said: “If there’s anything that unites Australians and Singaporeans, it’s good food! We’re delighted to partner with Temasek Polytechnic so Audra can share her knowledge, fresh Australian produce and exciting Australian innovations in food science with students in Singapore, connecting them with their heritage and giving local dishes an innovative twist.”

Photo credits: DFAT/Elliot Small

Photo credits:  DFAT/Lauren Hernandez

Event held 15 July 2019

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