Reflections - Foreign Minister Penny Wong's Centre For Asian-Australian Leadership inaugural annual lecture

"We are bound not just by shared geography but by the shared destiny of our interests....

It relies on maintaining our cohesion as a people, not letting reckless politicians divide us for their own gain.

It relies on the contribution of all Australians, of all diasporas, working together.

It relies on unity, not division. Respect not vilification.

It relies on us all recognising each other’s value.

All of us knowing the whole is greater than the sum of our parts.

In this way we build the country we need today, and the country we want for our children."

- Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Centre for Asian-Australian Leadership - Inaugural Lecture - Monday 19 August 2024

....

It was invigorating to read the speech from Foreign Minister Penny Wong delivered as part of the ANU Centre for Asian-Australian Leadership under the leadership of Mr Jieh-Yung Lo - who I've had the pleasure of being mentored and supported by when I took a punt at "running for the seat of Chisholm" as an independent federal candidate in 2019.

While I wholeheartedly back the current measures in place to support greater awareness in Asia cultural literacy and engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, such as improvements in the New Colombo Plan, dedicated leadership in Asia affairs and increased collaboration between universities and industry, it is important to note that - these measures are all premised on the basis of - education. Learning. Knowledge-sharing. Fact-finding.

However, what we seem to have forgotten is that - for learning to occur and for knowledge to be gained - there needs be "a catalyst". A moment of "glimmer". A recognition of "the past with present", and an on-moving towards the future. "A zest for inspiration" to say the least. ??

When I was attempting to run for federal candidacy, what inspired me to do what I did, e.g. put up "crazy dance campaign videos", or "crying videos urging for assistance with Legal Action for Afghanistan" - was - the support of the people around me.

In this regard, I would like to take a moment to belatedly reflect on the impact that Jieh-Yung's brief mentoring and words of encouragement had on me as a young, aspiring leader with BIG dreams.?

Often labelled as "crazy" or seemingly to "lack" the skilful adroitness of our Caucasian counter-peers, those of us from Asian-Australian heritage face a multitude of battles when navigating the socio-political systems of Western, colonial systems.

Yet - we still lead. We run. We deliver. We start-up. We fight and we conquer, amidst all the weeded thorns that are thrust upon our way.

All in all, long story short - to bridge the gap between Asia and Australia and tackle the complexities of the "Asia Century" or even the "China Problem" for the matter - we need to look beyond DEI quotas, rapid disbursements and likeminded collaborations - what we need are ????????????...???? ?????????????????? ?????? ?????????????????? ?????????????? ?????????? ????????????, ????????????????????????, ?????????????????? ?????????? ????????????, ???????????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ???????????? ????.

We need models ourselves and to model ways of best practice - through leadership, funding capacity development and mentoring so that our ambition(s) is uncharred by lack of opportunity, for those Asian and non-Asian alike. (Side note - If the opportunity doesn't exist - why not create it, ourselves?!)

With Australia being the land for the free and fair, it is time we begin to truly embrace the rich tapestry in the array of cultures and heritage that we have begotten from our Indigenous ancestors and from across the seas.

While our future is yet to be charted, let us not forget where we've come from, who we are at our finest core, ???? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ???????????? ???? ???????? ???? ???? - ?????????????? ???????? ???? ??????'?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????.

So that together, ???? ?????? ???????? ???? ??????????.

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The wise Lao Tzu once said, "Those who know, do not speak; those who speak, do not know. Be still like a mountain and flow like a river. The best way to live is to be like water."

Opportunities to get involved and support Asian - Australian Leadership

• ANU Centre for Asian-Australian Leadership
• 2024 Asian - Australian Leadership Awards
• Vietnamese Australian Forum / Australian China Youth Association / Australia-Indonesia Youth Association
• ASEAN-Australia Strategic Youth Partnership
• SAARI Collective , Catalysr - Accelerator for Migrants & Refugees , Asian Australian Lawyers Association