Asialink Leaders Forge Pathways for Sustainable Growth
15 December 2023: Inclusive and sustainable growth was a core theme explored throughout the 2023 Asialink Leaders Program journey. Through engaging and immersive sessions, Leaders unpacked the role Australia can play in addressing the biggest challenges of our time, contributing towards the green economy shift and inclusive prosperity in the region, while ensuring Australia’s long-term competitiveness.
Our cohort came together in the Asialink Leaders Program Intersessions to hear from 11 expert speakers from Australia and the region, providing perspectives from academia, government, business and not-for-profit, as they uncovered realities on the ground in Asia, and explored opportunities and the role for Australia in creating a positive future with the region.
Practical and actionable strategies were discussed that enabled Leaders to walk away with tangible actions to implement in their own work environments. A highlight was Robin Mellon, Director, UN Global Impact Network Australia, who introduced the evidence-based frameworks and tools that supported the series and the exploration of sustainable and inclusive growth with Asia, guiding participants through the key themes of connectivity and 'big levers'.
Conversations were brought to life with five case studies drawing on areas of sustainable and inclusive growth, food security and sustainable supply chains. For example, Adam Blight, Sustainability & Public Affairs Lead (Asia Pacific) of Nufarm illuminated the complex path of embedding sustainability within Asian contexts. His case study highlighted Nufarm's journey, including the critical lessons learned along the way and the company's forward-looking initiatives. One particularly noteworthy venture is the exploration of bioenergy supplies for sustainable aviation fuel, showcasing the innovative avenues businesses are pursuing to contribute to a greener future.
In-region perspectives were invaluable, with Rachel Thompson, Executive Director, Asian Development Bank, sharing the role of the Asian Development Bank in providing resources and expertise to create sustainable, equitable futures in response to what the region wants and needs. This was complemented by Esther An, Chief Sustainability Officer at Singapore’s CDL, providing perspectives as a sustainability pioneer in Singapore, combining practical insights and inspirational achievements in the green building field and beyond.
The intersessions also featured an intimate Leaders and Alumni networking event in each of the hubs, with an opportunity to hear from prominent alumni in a fireside chat in six locations across Australia and the region, including Bronwyn See, National Strategy Manager at Cleanaway; Councillor Robert Kok, City of Sydney; Christopher Urbanski, Executive Chairman of Winery.ph in the Philippines; Ken Ooi, Senior Associate of Herbert Smith Freehills, Singapore; Melanie Harris, Trade and Investment Commissioner Malaysia and Brunei, Austrade; and Dr Casten Makochekanwa, Counsellor, Defence Australia in Tokyo.
Participants were encouraged to incorporate interdisciplinary thinking, considering priorities across people, planet, and profit – and the pragmatic balance required to address social, environmental and economic factors. 2023 Asialink Leader, Phil Cryle, a sustainability champion at BHP, reflects on his time in the program. “One thing that really resonates with me throughout the program is the importance of building relations with those in Asia rather than seeing those relationships just as purely transactional.”
These speakers leading the sustainability intersessions were just some of the 100 speakers featured throughout the 2023 Asialink Leaders Program, covering politics, business, arts and creative industries, education, sports and people-to-people connections. We look forward to continuing exploring big issues and big solutions with the 2024 Asialink Leaders cohort.
Applications for the 2024 Asialink Leaders Program are now open. To find out more, visit: https://asialinkbusiness.com.au/training-programs/asialink-leaders-program/