Asialink and the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre are proud to announce a groundbreaking collaboration agreement.

The agreement brings together the country’s two leading Australia-Asia organisations in a formal cooperative undertaking.

Asialink and the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre have independently played vital roles in building Australia’s relations in Asia over the course of the past two decades. The new collaboration will enable the two organisations to leverage each other’s core strengths for the benefit of Australia, while retaining their independence.

“Australia’s engagement in Asia is growing more rapidly than its engagement with the rest of the World,” Chairman of Asialink, Mr Sid Myer, said. “At the same time, Asia has become central to the global economy – and the global recovery. Australia’s future hinges on sound, deep and strong relationships throughout the region. Our work in supporting this is greatly enhanced by today’s agreement“.

The organisations will maintain their discrete identities and functions. However, the membership of both Boards is now identical, reflecting the collaboration. Mr Sid Myer is Chairman of both Asialink and now the Asia Society AustralAsia Centre, and the Deputy Chairmen are Harrison Young, Warwick Smith and Peter Yates.

Deputy Chairman, Mr Harrison Young, said both organisations were committed to increasing Australia’s engagement with Asia.

The collaboration meant an expanded network of corporate leaders across Asia and Australia, he said, as well as greater programming opportunities and access to key thought-leadership in the Asia-Australia arena.

Mr Myer said the two organisations had complementary membership and stakeholder profiles.

“Asialink delivers world class cultural, schools education, leadership, health and community programs, as well as high-level people to people diplomacy initiatives, in Australia and Asia. These programs are admired by the Asia Society in New York,” he said.

“The AustralAsia Centre, on the other hand, is part of the strong Asia Society global network which assists Asialink, and it has built an enduring relationship with corporate Australia. Working together will broaden the reach of both organisations, creating greater impact, influence and engagement for Australia in Asia.”