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This report explores the ways in which the Asia-related diversity and talent of young people who live, study and work in Australia can be celebrated and championed. We test the key findings of our research with Australia-Asia youth leaders and present recommendations that span our research partnership.

Recommendations

These have been formulated throughout this research project, across all three reports, with a focus on innovation.

Monitoring trends

• Recommendation 1: Expand the Australia-Asia Pacific Youth Engagement Indicators, as explored in Keeping Connected, to develop and implement an annual Australia-Asia Pacific Youth Engagement Index.
• Recommendation 2: Identify data sources and collect participation data regarding Australia-Asia Pacific youth volunteering, at least on an annual basis, in partnership with stakeholders such as education institutions, not-for-profit organisations and government bodies.
• Recommendation 3: Research the views of Australian employers, and specifically their human resources teams, to better understand workplace demand in Australia for Asia literacy, particularly for graduate, entry-level and early career positions.

Policy advocacy

• Recommendation 4: Advocate for a broader definition of Asia literacy which
  • encompasses the diversity of young people in Australia as well as Asia-related
  • experiential learning programs, youth dialogues, internships, volunteering opportunities,
  • paid work, digital exposure and other informal experiences.
• Recommendation 5: Advocate for multi-year, multilateral funding sources to support the work of Australia-Asia youth-led organisations, to foster collaboration between these organisations and to seed other youth-focused initiatives.
• Recommendation 6: Advocate for comprehensive employer education to be included in the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan to build greater awareness of this initiative within Australia’s business community.
• Recommendation 7: Advocate for immigration settings which facilitate international students from across Asia and the Pacific to stay and settle in Australia post-graduation, in line with published skills shortages, and to access meaningful work and career opportunities.

Program innovation

• Recommendation 8: Create an Asia literacy credential or ‘badge’ to be used by the following groups:
  • Young people who live, study and work in Australia as they navigate their early careers.
  • Australian-based employers who value Asia literacy within their staff; seek Asia literacy in their talent attraction programs and for entry-level and early career positions; and offer professional development opportunities to build, develop and deepen Asia literacy.
• Recommendation 9: Develop programs which support life-long Asia-related learning opportunities beyond formal education, post-graduation and targeted at the early career stage of young people in Australia.
• Recommendation 10: Pilot a ‘reverse mentoring’ program through which Asia-literate young people can influence middle and senior management levels in Australian organisations.

This research venture is presented in partnership with