Elise Stephenson, considered one of 25 Young Women to Watch in International Affairs, will speak about building a business mindset, controlling the changing world of work at the Youth Entrepreneurs and Leaders Speakers Series programme in Việt Nam. — Photo aspi.org.au 

HCM CITY — The Youth Entrepreneurs and Leaders Speakers Series programme, part of an Australian public diplomacy programme, is being organised in Việt Nam from Oct 21 to 25 to enhance ties between ASEAN nations.

Funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and curated by Social Good Outpost, a women-led website and graphic design agency, the programme is being run across ASEAN member countries.

This year’s programme will focus on engaging and celebrating the vitality, diversity and capability of youth across Southeast Asia.

Its highlights include culinary showcases, film festivals, youth forums on smart cities, connectivity, and issues of regional significance.

It will also celebrate Gender Month, which kicked off on Việt Nam Women’s Day, October 20, and will run until the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25).

The programme includes a number of events that will be attended by youths from across Việt Nam, local organisations and NGOs. 

Two multi-award winning Australian youth entrepreneurs will be leading the week’s activities, Felicity Furey, one of the Financial Review BOSS magazine’s Young Executives of the Year in 2016 and one of Australia’s “100 Women of Influence” in 2012 at the age of 26, and curator of the programme, Elise Stephenson.

In Hà Nội, the two women will address 200 students from the University of Foreign Languages of the Hà Nội National University. 

Both talks are expected to encourage students to be brave, creative and entrepreneurial.

Furey will talk about “Building your future with technical thinking” and Stephenson about building a business mindset, controlling the changing world of work and using her academic background on international relations in her work and business activities. 

Recently recognised as one of Boston Consulting Group’s 30 under 30 LGBTIQ+ Role Models and as one of 25 Young Women to Watch in International Affairs, Stephenson has a wealth of experience in women’s and community empowerment. 

“We are excited to bring this programme to Việt Nam to build on the long-standing ties between our two countries and demonstrate the leadership potential that youth hold to solving some of our nations’ most crucial challenges,” she said. 

The “Australia now” public diplomacy programme to engage youth is organised annually in a country or region of strategic significance. — VNS