Now in its sixteenth year, the Australian National University’s Asia Pacific Week is an interdisciplinary conference, which brings together high-calibre students and young professionals from around the world. Through a week of thought-provoking panels, debates, and workshops, as well as a vibrant social schedule, we aim to bring together young individuals from all across the world and equip them with the knowledge, skills and empathy to become compassionate leaders of change in dynamic Asian and Pacific regions.
Asia Pacific Week this year will commence in June 2026. Those with an interest in Asia and the Pacific are encouraged to apply as a Delegate to attend the conference, with applications closing on Saturday, 11th of April 2026.
The link is available here: https://forms.gle/nwcf3htfLy2A9GUY9
Why Asia Pacific Week Matters:
Watch highlights from 2024, including the Gala Dinner closing address by former Prime Minister the Hon Kevin Rudd Ac.
About
As a delegate, you will have the opportunity to engage deeply with the theme of APW 2026, “Regional Futures: Patterns & Possibilities.” This theme explores the trends shaping the future of the Asia-Pacific, spanning areas such as the environment, youth action, gender and culture, technology, and more.
Through a dynamic program of specialised panels and immersive events, you will examine the diverse cultural and linguistic patterns that define the region, while also confronting pressing environmental and security challenges that may impact regional stability. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and forward-thinking solutions, Asia Pacific Week offers a unique and enriching experience, empowering delegates to connect, reflect, and imagine new possibilities for the region’s future.
Our History
A long-established tradition at The Australian National University, Asia Pacific Week was revitalised in 2011 when it transitioned into a student-run event. Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary program, the conference has grown tremendously since its inception. It is a highly anticipated event not only in the university’s calendar but also within the Asian and Pacific academic communities. As countries pivot their focus to Asia and the Pacific regions, Asia Pacific Week has received increased attention from academic and political circles. The many speakers who have contributed to Asia Pacific Week in the past include former Australian Prime Ministers Malcolm Fraser and Bob Hawke, Australian foreign ministers, ANU Chancellor Gareth Evans, renowned ANU academics, and diplomats from around the world.
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Degree:
Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) - Humanities & Social Sciences
What interested you most about your portfolio?
The chance to help direct an international professional event alongside an incredible team stood out to me, especially as an undergraduate. I’ve also enjoyed expanding my role from one portfolio (in 2025) to supporting multiple teams in bringing APW to life.
What language/s can you speak? Or what language/s would you love to learn?
I would love to improve my Mandarin skills. Mandarin is a beautiful language and would be incredibly useful to develop fluency in. I hope to return to formal language study next year.
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Degree:
Honours in Pacific Studies (completed a Bachelor of International Security Studies in 2025)
Were you exposed to cultures of Asia or the Pacific growing up? What was your experience?
I'm Fijian so have been exposed to a lot of Pasifika cultures but also love travelling in South East Asia, especially Vietnam!
What has been your favourite course so far at the ANU and why
My favourite course was PASI2030 Study Tour: Regional Policymaking for Pacific Development with George Carter and Mercy Masta. It allowed me to reflect on my positionality and learn more about the diversity of the Pasifika region, in particular.
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Degree:
Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Arts
What has been your favourite course so far at the ANU and why?
The Australia-Japan Student Policy Summit in LAWS4011 Law, Mooting and Advocacy. It was a really fun and unique experience where I got to take part in various mini workshops, including mock negotiations and evening activities like line dancing in Braddon.
What about APW2026 are you most excited for?
Seeing everything come together during the conference week, meeting all the delegates and hearing from all the content panels!
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Degree:
Bachelor of Pacific Studies/Bachelor of Arts
What interested you most about your portfolio?
The freedom to create any special event we envision, supported by a community eager to help bring it to life.
Were you exposed to cultures of Asia or the Pacific growing up? What was your experience?
My mother is South Korean, and I would say the most Korean thing about me is my relationship with food. Sharing food with others is a ritual of connection and care. I also grew up in Papua New Guinea which were the best years of my childhood and has informed so many of my choices in university.
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Degree:
Bachelor of Asian Studies/Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics
What has been your favourite course so far at the ANU and why?
ASIA3021 Engaging Asia: Australia and the Asian Century was fascinating, offering a fresh perspective on Australian economic and cultural policy in relation to Asia, something often overshadowed by a focus on Europe and the US. It also deepened my understanding of early immigration in Australia.
What does the 2026 theme "Regional Futures: Patterns & Possibilities" mean to you?
It means championing regional cultures and languages, and sharing how smaller voices are important in global conversations.
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Degree:
Bachelor of Asian Studies/Bachelor of International Relations
What is your favourite dish from Asia or the Pacific?
My favourite cuisine is a close tie between Vietnamese and Korean! I love the fresh herbs and sour crunch of Vietnamese salads with green papaya, mango or banana flowers. But my all-time favourite is the Korean version of rice paper rolls called 월남쌈 (wollamssam) I make at home, with a colourful array fresh vegetables.
What has been your favourite course so far at the ANU and why?
ASIA2220 Asia-Pacific In-Country Learning which took place in Yunnan Province, China. I loved learning Chinese in the mountains of Dali and experiencing life alongside rural farming families from diverse ethnic minority communities. The course opened my eyes to the diversity and depth of Chinese culture beyond what the media tends to portray, as I encountered a vast range of landscapes, histories, people, and languages.
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Degree:
Bachelor of Asia-Pacific Affairs (ANU)/Bachelor of Global Liberal Arts (Ritsumeikan University)
What has been your favourite course so far at the ANU and why?
ASIA2302 Culture & Modernity in Asia was my favourite. It introduced me to ethnography and that studying people’s everyday lives can actually be a career. It really changed how I see the world, making me more aware of how people live, interact, and make meaning in their daily lives.
What interested you most about your portfolio?
I was drawn to my portfolio because it blends creativity with strategy. It’s about more than just content - it’s understanding what connects with people and using storytelling and design to communicate ideas in a meaningful way.
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Degree:
Bachelor of International Security Studies/Bachelor of Applied Data Analytics
What does the 2026 theme "Regional Futures: Patterns & Possibilities" mean to you?
To me, this theme is all about building a shared future for states in the Asia-Pacific. Our region today is uncertain, and politics today is very polarising. Amongst all this uncertainty it's important to reflect on what a shared future could look like all the way from a personal level to the state level, and the regional level.
What is an issue in Asia and the Pacific that you are passionate about?
I'm passionate about AI policy. The Asia-Pacific (Taiwan in particular) is the global hub for semiconductors and the development of AI technology. However, fundamental issues of AI remain unresolved in the deployment of these systems. These issues will have a profound impact on the Asia-Pacific, being the most critical theatre in our world today.
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Degree:
Bachelor of International Relations/Bachelor of Asian Studies (with Year in Asia)
What has been your favourite course so far at the ANU and why?
POLS3004 Emotions in International Politics. I find it really interesting and important to look at politics at the individual level and this course did such a lovely job magnifying into different case studies.
If you were a place in Asia or the Pacific, what place would you be and why?
Hyderabad, India - my home of eleven years and counting. It is a bustling city known for its biryani. It seems to be a place that different people of different walks of life find easy to call home. I like that about it.
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Degree:
Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) - Humanities & Social Sciences/Diploma of Languages
What has been your favourite course so far at the ANU and why?
My favourite course was ASIA2039 Burma/Myanmar: A Country in Crisis. It explored the country’s complex and devastating history, which felt essential to understanding its present. It also pushed me to question ideas like statehood and citizenship, making me realise how arbitrary yet impactful they are, and ultimately changed how I see the world around me.
What about your portfolio had interested you the most?
ANU has so many top of the field researchers studying Asia and the Pacific - I am excited to give more undergraduates the opportunity to engage with these researchers and their ideas. I hope I can help people engage with their current passion for Asia and the Pacific and help undergraduates develop new areas of interest in such a dynamic research area.
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Degree:
Bachelor of Environment & Sustainability (Advanced) (Honours)
What about your portfolio had interested you the most?
Being a Content Coordinator is so exciting because we get to guide the academic themes of the conference while also having the opportunity to interact with talented professionals from all over the region. I look forward to learning about what guides conversations in our panels.
What is an issue in Asia and the Pacific that you are passionate about?
I am interested in learning further about how gender representation can be improved in spaces that guide domestic policies and international affairs. I’m also passionate about environmental justice and hope to help improve youth conversation in this area.
“ANU's 14th Asia Pacific Week was hands down, one of the best international conferences out there. It truly exceeded my expectations, and everything was just perfect. I'm very honored to be one of 60 delegates worldwide who were given the golden opportunity to be here. All sessions were very interdisciplinary in nature as [in] they touched on almost all of the current issues that the world is facing today. From climate change to diplomacy and everything in between, it gave us such fresh and equal perspectives on what we can do as global ambassadors who can create a spark to challenge the status quo. I will definitely miss my friends and the new connections that I made at the ANU. We'll all meet soon on different occasions for sure! Thank you so much APW Committee for this life changing experience.”
– Kenzo (2024 Delegate)
“I was very happy throughout the event. I was constantly motivated to find out more about the topics discussed by the panel and delegates. I don’t think that I have ever attended a conference this lively and substantive. The committee was very wonderful, and the other delegates were very insightful and friendly. It is safe to say that ANU APW 2020 was one of my highlights of the year. I made new friends and gained new insight. I was also able to experience things that I could probably never have gone through if the pandemic didn’t happen.”
– Brianna (2020 Delegate)
"I really enjoyed the chance to listen to experts in different fields regarding the Asia Pacific region, who offered us illuminating lectures that enriched our knowledge about such a diverse and dynamic area. I also appreciated the opportunity to connect with very talented students that came from literally every corner of the globe. Definitely would recommend to take part of APW."
– Ricardo (2025 Delegate)
“Asia Pacific Week 2025 was a truly transformative experience that deepened my understanding of regional issues through rich discussions, cultural exchange, and meaningful connections. It brought together passionate young leaders from across the Asia-Pacific and created a space for dialogue, collaboration, and growth. I left feeling more inspired, informed, and empowered to contribute to my region’s future.”
– Rishil (2025 Delegate)
What does it mean to be a delegate at Asia Pacific Week 2026?
A delegate is an attendee at the 2026 Asia Pacific Week Conference at the Australian National University. You get to go to the Asia Pacific Week Conference for the full four days, attending fascinating panels and Q&A sessions with experts in their fields, participating in cultural activities and experiencing Canberra. You will also have the opportunity to network with other delegates from the Asia-Pacific region.
Delegates at APW2026 have exclusive access to:
- A series of academic panels hosted by ANU researchers, discussing significant issues in Asia and the Pacific relating to our 2026 conference theme “Regional Futures: Patterns and Possibilities”
- Cultural workshops which may involve language immersion, physical and performance activities, creative arts and more
- Networking opportunities with leading ANU academics, our external professional partners, and other delegates from around the world
- Invitations to attend both the APW Opening Ceremony and Gala Dinner, both featuring prominent keynote speakers
- (For interstate and international delegates) Accommodation on ANU campus for the duration of the conference
- Merchandise pack and food throughout the week
What is provided by the conference?
Accommodation from June 22-25th, all meals and relevant travel during the conference is provided by APW for all interstate and international delegates.
How does travel work?
You are responsible for organising travel (including flights and visas) from your home to Canberra.
How long is the conference?
Four days, from the 22nd of June to the 25th of June.
How much is the delegate fee?
$80 for students and $200 for young professionals, paid only if your application is successful.
Fee waivers will be prioritised for First Nations and Torres Strait Islander identifying people.
What will be happening during the conference?
The conference will have a mix of academic panels, Q&As and more hands-on special and cultural activities.
Who will be presenting?
We will have a variety of academics, authors, special guests and professionals in their fields. In the past, we have had panels on issues from climate change to security, to women in diplomacy.
Who can apply?
We accept applications from anyone who is currently a university student or young professional and has an interest in the Asia and/or Pacific regions. We welcome delegates from all around the world!
Delegate applications for Asia Pacific Week 2026 remain open until the 8th of April 2026, with the link available here: https://forms.gle/nwcf3htfLy2A9GUY9
Contact Us
For general enquiries please contact asiapacificweek@anu.edu.au
Alternatively, you may follow Asia Pacific Week on our socials:
