Alfred Deakin Institute (ADI) Deputy Director Prof Shahram Akbarzadeh has wrapped up a major project with Australia Award Indonesia (AAI) scheme. AAI is Australia’s flagship program aimed at developing people-to-people ties and enhancing technical and leadership capacity in Indonesia. The Leadership Program for young Interfaith Women Leaders is the latest iteration of a program to link Indonesian women leaders with their Australian counterparts in NGOs and government agencies.

 In March 2023, a group of 25 women leaders from Indonesia were hosted at Deakin University to explore leadership styles, network and inspire. The group was welcomed to Deakin by the John Molony, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Vice President (International), who offered the visiting delegates an overview of Deakin University plans to contribute to higher education in Indonesia. In the first week of the program, ADI partnered with resourceful partners across different sectors. The highlights of the week included an engaging conversations with Dr Niki Vincent, Commissioner for Gender Equality in the Victorian Public Sector, Ms Coral Ross, Founding Director and Chair of Australian Gender Equality Council (AGEC), Ms Emilia Sterjova, former Mayor of Whittlesea City and Ms Alice Gomez from the Centre for Multicultural Youth: Engagement and Impact.

 The Leadership Program concluded on 17 March 2023, after a second week packed with diverse activities focused on a holistic approach to leadership. The participants were immersed in rich discussions with a number of content experts at Deakin University, local government and NGOs. Well-being and health were important topics to cover in the context of the discussion on leadership. Time was also dedicated to fine-tuning and strengthening Australia Award Projects through group discussions and one-on-one mentoring with course leaders. The participants will implement their Award projects upon their return to Indonesia.