Australia-ASEAN Emerging Leaders Program

  • Media release

Today I announce the selection of 15 young leaders from across our region for the 2018 Australia-ASEAN Emerging Leaders Program (A2ELP), and their participation in the historic ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Sydney in March.

A2ELP is an initiative of the Australia-ASEAN Council (AAC), which was launched in 2015 and works to enhance engagement between Australia and Southeast Asia. It brings together social innovators who have founded enterprises to address critical challenges facing the region including the environment, agricultural production, education, health and ageing populations.

The 2018 A2ELP participants have been selected from all 10 ASEAN countries and Australia:

  • Charlotte Lim – Brunei
  • Sovan Srun – Cambodia
  • Samantha Tio – Indonesia
  • Maniphet Phengsavatdy – Laos
  • Redza Shahid Ridzuan – Malaysia
  • Min Htet – Myanmar
  • James Centenera – Philippines
  • Ying Qing Chua – Singapore
  • Aukrit Unahalekhaka – Thailand
  • Tung Thanh Doan – Vietnam
  • Heidi Lenffer – Australia
  • Weh Yeoh – Australia
  • Ashleigh Morris – Australia
  • Nathanael Foo – Australia
  • Mikhara Ramsing – Australia

Participants will engage in a three-month program, delivered by Asialink, that will include a 10-day incubator in Melbourne and Sydney in March 2018 to explore the role of business in driving social change, enhance their understanding of the risks and potential of social ventures, and learn techniques to develop their enterprises and maximise their impact. The 2018 cohort will also join 2017 A2ELP alumni at events associated with the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit to explore opportunities to enhance regional security and prosperity.

I congratulate all 2018 A2ELP participants on their selection for this program and their efforts to increase Australia's engagement with ASEAN countries.

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