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Now in its fourteenth 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 cultural 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 Asia and Pacific regions.
About
As a delegate, you will have the opportunity to not only hear from acclaimed experts but to engage in thought-provoking panels, debates, simulations, and workshops. Every year, the next generation of Asia Pacific Week delegates will leave with more than just new ideas and insights. They will leave with a network of friends and contacts from around the world. Asia Pacific Week is an opportunity that strives to empower delegates in their personal, academic and career journeys, and equip them with the knowledge, skills, and empathy to be young leaders.
Congratulations to all of the amazing students who brought together APW2024
Organising Committee
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What are you studying and what year are you in?
International Relations; final semester (!)
What is your favourite food dish/cuisine from Asia or the Pacific region and why?
Ramen - I am a massive noodle person! As an expat who’s constantly on the move, ramen has always been my emotional support food — a taste that brings me closest to home no matter where I find myself in the world.
What language/s can you speak? Or what language/s would you love to learn?
I would love to learn Thai so that next time I visit Thailand, I’ll know how to bargain at (vintage) markets haha!
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What are you studying and what year are you in?
Bachelor of International Security Studies/ Bachelor of Applied Data Analytics, 4th Year.
What is your favourite food dish/cuisine from Asia or the Pacific region and why?
Breadfruit! There is nothing quite like it.
What language/s can you speak? Or what language/s would you love to learn?
I began learning Japanese in high school and really enjoyed it! Would love to get back into it and learn more.
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What are you studying and what year are you in?
Bachelor of Economics / Bachelor of Finance, 4th year.
Please share any of your media recommendations from Asia or the Pacific region!
Discover gems like "In the Mood for Love" and "Shoplifters," movies that explore deep connections and family beyond blood. Dive into "Reply 1988" for a heartwarming journey through friendship and "Sacred Games" for an edge-of-your-seat thriller. Musically, let Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's soulful qawwalis and Haruomi Hosono's eclectic "Hosono House" enchant you.
If you had the chance to become any person from the Asia and the Pacific regions, who would it be and why?
If I could become anyone from Asia-Pacific, I'd choose Rabindranath Tagore for his blend of arts and advocacy for humanity. In the realm of astrophysics, names like Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, with his stellar theories, and the innovative Yi Cui, echo as inspirations, guiding us in our quest for knowledge and innovation.
If you had the chance to become any person from the Asia and the Pacific regions, who would it be and why?
I love North Indian cuisine for its diversity and Indian-Chinese food for its exciting mix, blending rich flavors and zesty twists for a perfect culinary balance.
What language/s can you speak? Or what language/s would you love to learn?
As a seasoned researcher with fluency in English, Hindi, and Urdu, I'm expanding my linguistic arsenal to include Punjabi and Spanish. These languages enrich my expertise in economics and finance, mirroring the acquisition of new software tools. Embracing continuous learning, I find it adds fascinating layers to my professional and personal journey.
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What are you studying and what year are you in?
Bachelor of Development Studies & Bachelor of Design, 5th year.
What is your favourite food dish/cuisine from Asia or the Pacific region and why?
Martabak manis! It’s sweet and soft, and perfect for sharing with friends.
What language/s can you speak? Or what language/s would you love to learn?
I have loved learning Indonesian while at uni and I started to learn Korean (focusing on the alphabet at the moment) as I’ll be studying there in July!
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What are you studying and what year are you in?
Third year in a Bachelor of Arts - Pacific Studies and Development Studies
What is your favourite food dish/cuisine from Asia or the Pacific region and why?
Green papaya and beef salad- I tried it when I went to Vietnam recently and was one of the best dishes I've ever eaten.
What language/s can you speak? Or what language/s would you love to learn?
I would love to learn Fijian to be able to communicate with my grandmother better, and it is such a beautiful language!
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What are you studying and what year are you in?
Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Asian Studies (fourth year)
What is your favourite food dish/cuisine from Asia or the Pacific region and why?
My favourite dish right now from the Asia Pacific region is definitely Ochazuke. This is a traditional Japanese dish which combines rice, green tea, pickled plum, nori as well a variety of Japanese seasonings/furikake. It is served with salmon. I love the use of green tea as a broth - it’s something I haven’t come across before and it’s delicious!
What language/s can you speak? Or what language/s would you love to learn?
I can speak a bit of French and I’m currently learning Mandarin. Last year I spent about two months in China continuing to practise my language skills which was an awesome opportunity. I’d love to learn some Indonesian one day too.
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What are you studying and what year are you in?
Bachelor of Laws (Hon) and Arts, 3rd year
Please share any of your media recommendations from Asia or the Pacific region!
The Before the Coffee Gets Cold book series by Japanese author Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a favourite of mine. The writing style is beautiful and heartwarming - I would strongly recommend it!
What is your favourite food dish/cuisine from Asia or the Pacific region and why?
I'm a big fan of banh mi! Nothing will ever top the vegetarian banh mi I had every single day I was in Hoi An.
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What are you studying and what year are you in?
I’m doing honours in Asian Studies.
Please share any of your media recommendations from Asia or the Pacific region!
Joshua Oppenheimer’s documentaries "The Act of Killing" (2012) and "The Look of Silence" (2014). They both bravely depict the controversial period of Indonesia history, presenting humanity in a raw yet insightful way.
If you had the chance to become any person from the Asia and the Pacific regions, who would it be and why?
Yoshihara Jiro! He is the founder of the postwar avant-garde art group Gutai (which I’ve been studying). I’d love to see how everything looked through his eyes !
What is your favourite food dish/cuisine from Asia or the Pacific region and why?
Stinky Tofu (Chòu dòu fǔ) from my hometown Changsha! Despite its name, it's actually not stinky at all when you eat it, trust me.
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What are you studying and what year are you in?
International Security Studies/ Politics, Philosophy and Economics (4th Year).
Please share any of your media recommendations from Asia or the Pacific region!
There is so much to choose from but I highly recommend Cantik Itu Luka, or Beauty is a Wound, by Eka Kurniawan. It is a lot to take in but definitely worth reading as it deals with Indonesia’s intricate history, presented through a unique and compelling fictional narrative. I also recommend We Are the Ocean: Selected Works by Epeli Hau’ofa. Hau’ofa challenges conventional perceptions of the Pacific region. When I first read Hau’ofa’s essay Our Sea of Islands a few years ago, it shifted my understanding of the Pacific, prompting me to re-evaluate how I perceived the region. We Are the Ocean is a collection of essays, fiction and poetry, offering something for everyone.
What language/s can you speak? Or what language/s would you love to learn?
I am currently learning Indonesian and had the opportunity to improve my skills through an intensive language course in Central Java over the Summer. I would also love to learn Tok Pisin but should focus on improving my Indonesian first!
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What are you studying and what year are you in?
Bachelor of International Relations and Bachelor of International Security Studies in my 4th year.
Please share any of your media recommendations from Asia or the Pacific region!
Moana (movie), Crazy Rich Asians (movie)
What is your favourite food dish/cuisine from Asia or the Pacific region and why?
Pad See Ew is so yum! It’s definitely a comfort food and you can never have enough of it!
What language/s can you speak? Or what language/s would you love to learn?
I’d love to learn Japanese or Korean!
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What are you studying and what year are you in?
3rd year, Bachelor of International Security Studies & Bachelor of Languages.
Please share any of your media recommendations from Asia or the Pacific region!
All-time favourite music artist has to be JJ Lin! Coming as a close second is queen IU. I could listen to them both all day every day!
What language/s can you speak? Or what language/s would you love to learn?
Language nerd here! I can speak English, Mandarin, French & Korean. I can dabble in Shanghainese, Japanese, Indonesian & Spanish. And I recently started learning Vietnamese at ANU! (And no, I don't get confused. I just forget things after 6 months)
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What are you studying and what year are you in?
Bachelor of International Relations - Year 3 (Final Semester!)
Please share any of your media recommendations from Asia or the Pacific region!
My number one animated movie from when I was young was Howl's Moving Castle, directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Honestly, I watched it more than 15 times.
What is your favourite food dish/cuisine from Asia or the Pacific region and why?
My mum's kimchi stew because it is a nostalgic food, and I always miss it when I'm away from home.
What language/s can you speak? Or what language/s would you love to learn?
I speak English and Korean, but I would love to learn more French at an advanced level!
Panels
Climate Change panel – “Tackling Climate Change: The Future of the Fossil Fuel Industry and Clean Energy Transition.”
This panel will discuss the fossil fuel industry's forward-looking strategy for adapting to the need for clean energy.
Panellists: Dr Ruth Morgan (Moderator), Prof Paul Burke, Mehealani Delaney, Dr Teesta Prakash, and Dr Jonathan Pickering.
Gender & Sexuality panel – “Exploring Identities: Intersections of gender, sexuality and society”
This panel will reflect on the importance of gender and sexuality in various sectors of broader society.
Panellists: Jack Hayes (Moderator), Prof Jane Golley, Dr Joyce Das, and Dr Eva Nisa.
Geopolitics panel – “Strengthening the Region: Security in the Pacific”
This panel will discuss how Pacific states manage the tensions and threats to their region.
Panellists: Pip Louey (Moderator), Dr Satyendra Prasad, AsPr Graeme Smith, and Dr Athaulla A Rasheed.
Diplomacy panel – “Deepening Engagement: 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit”
This panel will review the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit this March.
Panellists: Prof Paul Hutchcroft (Moderator), Aristyo Darmawan, Dr Rahman Yaacob, Elena Williams, and Teck Chi Wong.
Youth panel – “Diversifying and Unifying Voices: Youth representation and change-making”
This panel will highlight why and how we should harness the power of youth, from the community to the UN.
Panellists: Novia (Moderator), Afeeya Akhand, Gavin Choong, Thenu Herath, and Caitlin Figueiredo
"Women in Diplomacy Careers Chat"
This is a unique project led by our wider Committee
Panellists: H.E. the Estonian Ambassador Kersti Eesmaa; Grace Chung, Head of Media and Strategic Communications at the U.S. Embassy; Mary Hunt, Head of the Pacific Development Unit, British High Commission; Nehali Anupriya, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
Schedule
Testimonials
Dantzel Tiakia
'Privileged to have spent the past week in Canberra at Asia Pacific Week 2024, hosted by the Australia National University. It's been a week full of learning, sharing, and connecting with some amazing individuals. I've left feeling enlightened, inspired, and empowered.
Kenzo Navarro
“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 it 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.”
Desmond Narain Doulatram
ANU’s Asia Pacific Week 2022 was a wonderful interdisciplinary event rich in academic discussions where learners, observers, lecturers, and culture practitioners weaved together the existing reality of the Asia Pacific region through the art of story-telling. As a lecturer at the College of the Marshall Islands teaching Pacific Studies and Micronesian Studies and as a PhD Candidate in Pacific Studies at the University of the South Pacific, I felt that this Conference was a nice opportunity to build my own understanding of the dynamics of the Asia Pacific region while opening up to new stances of interpreting the need for historical justice by practising greater cross-cultural empathy. I had the opportunity to observe this first-hand through Asia Pacific Week where I got to see this in action with young delegates, young professionals, and young academics displaying greater cross-cultural empathy making me more optimistic about our collective future.
Brianna Ruth Audrey
When I first saw ANU Asia Pacific Week 2020’s (ANU APW 2020) ad on YouthOp, I knew I had to sign up. My seniors once told me about their extraordinary week in Canberra, learning about Asia and Pacific regions more than they ever did during our daily classes. As I also have taken interest in the region, it became my dream to experience this event firsthand. If it weren’t for YouthOp, I would never know that ANU APW was still conducted, even amid the pandemic.
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 were one of my 2020 highlights. 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.
Contact Us
For general enquiries please contact asiapacificweek@anu.edu.au
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