| Sidney Myer Asia Centre | |
|---|---|
Asialink's Headquarters |
|
| Established | 1988 |
| Location | Level 4, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, Gate 4, The University of Melbourne, Parkville Victoria, Australia (Cnr Monash Road and Swanston Street, opposite the Swanston St ‘University’ Tram Super Stop) |
| Website | Asialink |
Asialink works together with business, government, philanthropic and cultural partners to encourage relationships between Asia and Australia. Founded in 1990 in a joint collaboration with the Australian Government's Commission for the Future and the Myer Foundation, Asialink continues in its mission to educate Australian's about their neighbouring countries and the importance of the Australia within this region.
Contents |
After partnering with the University of Melbourne in 1991, Asialink began to develop programs in education, the arts, businesses and community awareness with the guidance of the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, and the Advisory Board under Chairman Kenneith Myer AC and Executive chairman Professor Kwong Lee Dow.
In 1998, Asialink became a non-academic department of the University of Melbourne. And in 2001, a grant from the Sidney Myer Centenary Celebration allowed Asialink to build the Sidney Myer Asia Centre, Asialink's current headquarters.
In 2009, Asialink formed a partnership with Asia Society - AustralAsia Centre, a international network headquartered in New York. The two organisations now share offices in the Sidney Myer Asia Centre along with the University of Melbourne's Asia institute.
Asialink's mission of an Asia-engaged Australia is facilitated in its five major programs:
This program encourages a cross cultural experience for Australian artists. Exchanges, touring exhibitions, residencies, and an array of international and local events are offered within Australia as well as 21 countries in the Asian region: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.[1]
The organisation currently includes residency programs in arts management, literature, performing arts and visual arts.
The Asialink Leaders program brings together emerging corporate, government and not-for-profit leaders to develop a network of Asian understanding for engaging in an Asian focused future.[2]
Each year over 40 leaders attend the program running both in Sydney and Melbourne.
In 2009 speakers included:
• The Hon. Stephen Smith, Minister for Foreign Affairs
• Professor Cheng Li, Brookings Institute, Washington DC
• Dr. Jim Masselos, Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities
• H.E. Mr Taka-aki Kojima, Japan's Ambassador to Australia
• Professor Marika Vicziany, Director, Monash Asia Institute, Monash University
• Dr Pradeep Taneja, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Melbourne
Asialink joint collaborator, the Asia Education Foundation (AEF), seeks to promote Asian literacy in Australian schools. Established in 1992, the Foundation has developed to encourage not only knowledge in the Asian language, but also the geography, culture and literature that is tied to the diverse Asian region.[3]
The AEF offers further education in the Asian region for teachers and principals under its Linking Latitudes program. Hundreds of Primary and Secondary educations have been invited to previous conferences in China (2001), Vietnam (2004) and India (2007).
In a joint partnership with Asia-Australia Mental Health (AAMH), a subsidiary of St Vincent's Health and The University of Melbourne, Asialink has advocated for improvements to mental health services within the Asia Pacific region.[4]
These programs seek to provide understanding and ignite discussions in relation to Asian politics, economics and social issues. Business, government, academic and broader communities, through these private and public forums, can ease into an increasingly Asian focused world.
The [Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific] (AusCSCAP)
Asialink has also engaged with AusCSCAP. The first AusCSCAP dinner was held in Melbourne in 2008 with a focus on regional security issues.[5]
Asialink Conversations
This invitation-only dialogue unites Australia and ASEAN leaders from government, business, academic, the media and community for a three day gathering to discuss shared issues facing Australia and the Asia region. Asialink conversations is designed to incite a sharing of ideas, development of new friendships and an opportunity to increase international relationships.
The dialogue has previously been hosted by Australia, India, Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia.
ASEAN-Australia New Zealand Dialogue
Asialink continues to substantially assist in this annual informal dialogue held in Malaysia. This forum offers a space for discussion on the premise of Asia related issues and the roles of ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand in the resolution of these issues.
Generation 21: Asia Pacific New Leaders' Dialogue
In November 2009, this dual initiative with Jakarta-based organisation, Modernisator, brought together 56 business, political and academic leaders from the AustralAsian region. Discussions focussed on the challenges and opportunities facing Asia in the context of the 21st Century.
This dialogue was the first in what is to be an annual event.
The PricewaterhouseCoopers Melbourne Institute Asialink Index
This publication is the first multi-indicator measure of engagement between Asia and Australia. By measuring seven categories of engagement, the index also compares Australia's relative commitment with the Asia region against that of the rest of the world.
The Asialink Essays series
Initiated in 2009, this collection of essays by expert commentators engage with vital issues facing Australia's relationship with Asia
Every 23 Days: 20 Years Touring Asia
With support of the Asialink's Visual Arts Touring Exhibition program, this publication celebrates 20 years of Australian based exhibitions within Asia.[6]
The Dunlop Asialink Medal
Each year a selected individual is awarded this medal as a measure of outstanding involvement in the promotion of Australia-Asia relations.
Dunlop Asia Fellowships
This fellowship offers a grant towards young Australian's programs that show lasting promise in the contribution to Australia-Asian relations.