A look back on Auspire’s inaugural Multicultural Leadership Program
In 2022, Auspire – Australia Day Council WA developed a Multicultural Leadership Program, to offer opportunities to and support the leadership journeys of people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.
With support from the Office of Multicultural Interests, we were able to offer 16 fully funded scholarship placements. Applicants came from all around the world, all with different stories and experiences, and were selected with help from Auspire’s Board and Multicultural Advisory Group.
During the program, the 16 successful applicants have attended Auspire’s Inspiring Australians events, where they have been able to network and hear from Australian of the Year Alumni including the four 2022 WA Australians of the Year and 2022 Australian of the Year, Dylan Alcott. They have also undertaken training in Aboriginal Cultural Awareness.
A key component of the program has been a series of round table sessions, during which the participants heard from members of Auspire’s Inspiring Australians Network including 2019 Australian of the Year, Dr Craig Challen OAM; Auspire Ambassador, Dr Sandy Chong; Auspire Board member, David Hinton; and 2018 WA Young Australian of the Year finalist, Jeffrey Effendi. In an intimate setting at Curtin University, participants were able to listen to their stories and ask questions.
Auspire also hosted participants at a special session with intercultural expert Rika Asaoka. Joined by members of the Multicultural Advisory Group, participants studied leadership style differences across cultures, which encouraged them to reflect on their own through discussion on decision-making style, risk propensity and power structure.
Most recently, participants were invited to attend the 2023 WA Australian of the Year Awards ceremony at Government House in Perth.
“We have hosted a wonderful group of participants in our Multicultural Leadership Program this year,” said Jacquie Swingler, Community Development Manager at Auspire. “Together, we reflected on our leadership goals and style through a cultural lens and were inspired by deep conversations with Auspire’s Awards Alumni. We at Auspire look forward to maintaining connection with this group as well as welcoming our next group of leaders in 2023.”
Applications are now open for the 2023 Multicultural Leadership Program. To be in with a chance of experiencing the above opportunities and enhance your leadership capability, apply now.