AIYD 2017

SUMMARY

The Australia India Youth Dialogue, the leading youth dialogue between the two countries, met in Melbourne and Sydney for its sixth iteration from 15 – 18 February 2017. AIYD 2017 focused on the overarching theme of innovation, with sub-themes of health, entrepreneurship and skill development. Thirty prominent youth leaders from business, start-ups, sports, NGOs, medical services, higher education, politics and media were selected to take part.

The closed-door discussions involved a candid exchange of insights which produced a range of creative policy ideas to deepen the Australia-India bilateral relationship. The delegation also visited the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne, and undertook a tour of the Tyree Energy Technologies Building at the University of New South Wales in Sydney.

Issues discussed included:

• Health innovation in Australia and India;

• Comparing Australian and Indian start-up ecosystems;

• Maximising impact through investing in social entrepreneurship;

• The challenge of skilling India’s millions and the potential for Australia-India collaboration;

• The role of gender in skill development and the future of work.

The 2017 AIYD continued the group challenge activity introduced at the 2016 dialogue. The winning group aimed to reduce drowning deaths in India through training cooperation with Australian Surf Life Saving Clubs.

The delegation was addressed by Ms Preeti Saran, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, the Hon. Frank McGuire, Victorian Parliamentary Secretary for Medical Research, Small Business and Innovation, Ms Manika Jain, Consul General of India in Melbourne, the Hon. Jonathon O’Dea MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the New South Wales Premier and Treasurer, the Hon. Victor Dominello MP, New South Wales Minister for Finance, Services and Property, Mr Barry O’Farrell, former Premier of New South Wales and Deputy Chair of the Australia India Council, Mr B Vanlalvawna, Consul General of India in Sydney, and the Hon. Craig Laundy MP, Assistant Minister for Innovation, Health and Science.

Speakers

• Preeti Saran, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs

• Frank McGuire, Parliamentary Secretary, Medical Research, Innovation for Small Business

• John WH Denton AO, Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Corrs Chambers Westgarth

• Manika Jain, Consul General of India, Consulate General of India, Melbourne

• Suvir Khanchandani, Commercial Manager-Business Development, Cipla

• Sue MacLeman, CEO & MD, MTPConnect

• Dr James Dromey, Chief Operating Officer, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute

• Anup Vikal, Chief Financial Officer, Snapdeal

• Topaz Conway, Chair Springboard Australia, Director Telstra Industry Advisory Board, Director StartupAUS

• Patrick Mooney, Chairman, Impact Tech Ventures

• Daniel Madhavan, Chief Executive Officer, Impact Investing Australia

• Karen Iles, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Tata Consultancy Services

• Rob Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Information Industry Association

• Jonathan O’Dea MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and Treasurer

• Philomena Leung, Professor of Accounting and Associate Dean International and Corporate Engagement

• Professor C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University and Director, International ...

• Sue Freeman, CEO and Managing Director, First Impressions Resources

• Tim Beresford, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Macquarie University

• Professor Julian Knowles, Associate Dean (International), Faculty of Arts, Macquarie University

• Nicola Hazell, Head of Diversity and Impact, BlueChilli

• Muireann Irish, Associate Professor, University of Sydney

• The Hon. Victor Dominello, Minister for Finance, Services and Property, NSW Government

• Barry O'Farrell, Deputy Chair, Australia India Council and Former Premier

• Craig Laundy, Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science