Some 22 young leaders from Vietnam and Australia are joining the 2021 Australia-Vietnam Young Leadership Dialogue (AVYLD) which is being held online until September 9, opening up new possibilities for delegates and speakers to connect through thought-provoking discussions and collaborative workshops.

A webinar within the 2021 Australia-Vietnam Young Leadership Dialogue. Photo: AVYLD

The 2021 program will focus on “Regeneration” and will challenge young leaders with new paradigms and shape their minds to think more deeply about their role and responsibility in supporting Australia, Vietnam and the bilateral relationship to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

A strong emphasis will be placed on four of the SDGs - Gender Equality, Reduced Inequalities, Climate Action, Responsible Consumption and Production.  

The young leaders, selected on the basis of their leadership ability and potential to shape national and regional agendas, represent diverse industries, including health, agriculture, arts, technology, business, education, tourism and media. 

The delegates will have the opportunity to engage, discuss and be provided with new perspectives by a number of profound speakers who have been invited to deliver their perspectives and engage in discussions with delegates. 

Board Chair and Co-founder of AVLD Cat Thao Nguyen said: “The 2021 Delegates are exceptional, visionary leaders. They are driving sustainable social, environmental and economic impact with a clear interest in the bilateral relationship to achieve their goals. The Dialogue is of vital importance to the development of the Australia-Vietnam relationship which is more important than ever.” 

Kien Van Nguyen, Director of NSW Trade and Investment in Ho Chi Minh City, said the Australian and Vietnamese young leaders are a critical bilateral ‘bridge’ between two countries, promoting frontier innovation and trade collaboration to solve challenges both the countries face. 

In addition, there will be a graduation ceremony to celebrate the transformative week, wrap up the significant milestone and express sincere appreciation to the AVLD community. This includes recognizing distinguished partners, sponsors, speakers, advisors and AVLD’s alumni for all of their support in co-creating and delivering this transformative experience for the delegates and contributing to the development and regenerative future of both countries. 

As a selected delegate, Linh Nguyen, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of PAN Food JSC shared: “AVYLD [will] be an important platform for me to explore valuable business connections and partnership opportunities, who also value integrity, responsibility and sustainability as much as our company and myself.”

Another delegate, Joey Nguyen, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Venntifact said: “My heritage and culture as a product of both nations gives me a deep emotional and philosophical alignment with this mission, and I am passionate about driving the success of the AVYLD program.”

This year’s delegates will join 41 outstanding AVLD delegate alumni who have or are moving into positions of influence and leadership within the Australia-Vietnam relationship.

On September 4, a virtual Young Leaders Forum (YLF), part of the 2021 Dialogue drew over 500 young people in Vietnam interested in sustainability registered for the forum and how they can contribute in their own lives and communities, and in light of a new Covid normal world.

AVLD is an independent not-for-profit organisation that was established to nurture relationships, promote engagement and incubate collaboration between Australian and Vietnamese young leaders from a broad spectrum of society.