Amanda Jones
8 April 2015: Former Australian Prime Minister the Hon John Howard OM AC, Indonesian Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Nadjib Riphat Kesoema and other high-profile speakers discussed the topic of leadership at a University of Canberra conference.
The inaugural Future Leaders Congress attracted senior ministers, public sector officials, corporate directors and community and social entrepreneurs, who provided advice to the next generation of leaders at the Hyatt Hotel on 26-27 March.
Director of the National Security Institute at the University of Canberra and conference organiser Peter Leahy said it was important to discuss the role that strong, effective leadership can play in securing and promoting Australia's future, while also providing guidance and advice to leaders of the future.
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Former Prime Minister John Howard and conference organiser Peter Leahy. Photo: Michelle McAulay
Twelve University of Canberra students also participated in panel discussions where they canvassed what qualities future leaders need to meet the challenges of the 21st century, as well as their responses to the key speakers and topics raised during the two-day event.
Studying a double degree in sports management/sport and exercise science, Jonathan Goerlach reflected on his own personal experience of being an elite athlete with a disability while balancing full-time study and work.
Mr Goerlach, whose goal is to represent Australia in paratriathlon in the Paralympic Games, hopes to use his degree and sporting achievements as a platform to create more awareness of the disability community.
"There are a lot of great people doing amazing things in the disability community, but they don't have a voice outside of that community," he said. "As an elite athlete, I have an opportunity to help give a voice to a community I feel very passionate about."
For student Rosemary Hobart-Karo, the conference was an opportunity to make valuable connections with Australian leaders in the politics, development and corporate sectors, as well as meet other aspiring young leaders.
"My passion is making a difference in the lives of those that cannot reach opportunities and to those that cannot see beyond the black hole they live in," Ms Hobart-Karo said, who is studying a Master of International Development.
Other topics discussed at the event included global leadership focusing on the Indo-pacific region, public sector leadership, community leadership, national security and how science can lead us into the future.
The conference also heard from Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin AC, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO and former ACT Chief Minister Kate Carnell AO, secretary of the Department of Industry and Science Glenys Beauchamp, chief scientist Ian Chubb and University of Canberra Chancellor Tom Calma AO.
Watch the presentations via the Universities YouTube channel
