Australia-Vietnam Young Leadership Dialogue initiative gets underway

This year's dialogue is expected to see the recruitment of 20 young people who are keen to contribute to efforts aimed at deepening the relationship between both nations whilst promoting their journey of leadership to participate in the programme.

As part of her opening speech, New South Wales Governor Margaret Beazley affirmed that the focus of this year's dialogue will be on promoting a range of innovations and partnerships in the post-COVID period, including areas related to the arts, business, and community.

The young leaders selected for this year's scheme will be made up of a range of dynamic and talented individuals who work in such fields as business, policy making, education, health, arts, culture, and innovation.

Following their selection, the young leaders will then participate in activities scheduled to take place in both Ho Chi Minh City and Sydney in September.

It is anticipated that the dialogue will create greater opportunities for the next generation of leaders from both countries to embark on a transformative journey towards achieving a stronger innovation partnership and co-operation across priority areas.

Trinh Duc Hai, the Vietnamese Consul General in New South Wales, affirmed that the initiative will help contribute to developing bilateral relations, especially as Australia represents one of Vietnam’s most important strategic partners.

During the course of the event, representatives from both countries expressed their opinions on several international issues and reiterated common values.  

Peter Cosgrove, former governor-general of Australia and sponsor of the Australia-Vietnam Young Leadership Dialogue, emphasised that both countries have recorded a range of amazing achievements in bilateral relations, with these milestones reached largely through boosting diplomatic, economic, and trading ties.

Both Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh and Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Robyn Mudie have been invited to be advisors for the programme.

“Vietnam welcomes the comprehensive participation of the change-makers network and expresses its belief that participants in the dialogue will further strengthen the bilateral relationship through cooperation in the priority strategic areas of the two countries,” said Ambassador Thanh.

The AVLD was originally established in 2016 with the aim of creating a platform in which young people could discuss issues of mutual concern, thereby enhancing their understanding and connectivity between the two countries.