Asialink

Asialink - Sidney Myer Asia Centre

Asialink's Headquarters
Established	1990
Location	Parkville Victoria, Australia
Key people	Sid Myer, Jenny McGregor
Website	Asialink Asialink Index

Asialink is a think-tank that promotes better relations between Australia and Asian economies. Asialink works alongside several philanthropic organizations to engage in civic and cultural relations that lead to business ties.^[1]

History

Asialink was established in 1990 as a joint initiative of the Australian Government's Commission for the Future and the Myer Foundation, one of Australia's oldest and largest philanthropic organizations.

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), which was then concluded in 2011.

In December 2012, Asialink's Singapore Chapter, its first outside of Australia, was launched by Australia’s High Commissioner to Singapore, His Excellency Mr Philip Green.

In March 2013, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell launched Asialink's Sydney office.

In July 2013, the Australian Federal Government announced $36 million of funding over 10 years for the establishment of a national centre for Asia capability. It was recommended by the Asialink Taskforce for an Asia Capable Workforce and is designed to improve the Asia skills of Australia’s workforce and deliver long-term benefits to the economy and society in general.

Programs

Asialink is Australia’s leading centre for building Asia capability, public understanding of Asia, and appreciation of Australia’s role in the Asian region.

Business

Asialink Business is Australia's National Centre for Asia Capability. It provides a range of business training programs, information products, and events to build Asia capability in the business, government, academic and broader communities.

Established in 2013 with support from the Australian Government, Asialink Business also has the University of Melbourne and the Myer Foundation as key stakeholders.

Diplomacy

Asialink works with business and academia to produce innovative research, engage in regular policy dialogue across Asia (The Asialink Conversations, Track II Diplomacy), and bring the best new thinking on Australia-Asia engagement to a general audience.

Arts

Asialink Arts promotes cultural understanding, information exchange and artistic endeavour between Australia and the countries of Asia. It does this through reciprocal residencies, touring exhibitions, and writing exchanges.

Leaders Program

The Asialink Leaders program is a professional development opportunity that brings together emerging corporate, government and not-for-profit leaders to build knowledge of contemporary Asian societies and business culture.

Asia Education Foundation

Asialink's education arm, the Asia Education Foundation (AEF), provides teachers, education leaders and school communities with innovative programs, curriculum resources and networks to support the achievement of Aisa literacy for every young Australian.

Asia Australia Mental Health

Asialink's community health program, Asia Australia Mental Health (AAMH), is a consortium of St Vincent's Health and the Department of Psychiatry at The University of Melbourne. AAMH partners with academic, government, community organisations and peak bodies in Asia and Australia to support culturally appropriate community-based mental health reform in the Asia-Pacific region.

Notes

External links

• Asialink Business
• The University of Melbourne
• Asialink
• Asialink Index
• Asia Society
• Asia Education Foundation