Young leaders from India and Australia convene at the University of Sydney
For more than a decade the event has been held in India and Australia in alternating years. It brings together 30 young leaders – 15 from Australia and 15 from India – to foster connections and spark collaboration, strengthening bilateral ties and highlighting shared issues. Delegates bring expertise from a wide range of fields including politics, sport, science, medicine, economics, media, the arts and more.
Attendees at the Australia India Youth Dialogue outside the Quadrangle at the University of Sydney. Photo: Tim Dwyer.
As a major sponsor and host of the concluding events, the University provided a platform for participants to explore themes of creativity, leadership and cultural exchange. Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Mark Scott said the event was a valuable opportunity to deepen partnerships between Australia and India.
“The Australia India Youth Dialogue provides a unique platform for emerging leaders from both nations to exchange ideas, develop lasting connections and address common challenges,” Professor Scott said. “Our continued partnership with AIYD reflects our commitment to fostering innovation and mutual understanding between Australia and India.
“We are proud to again be a Distinguished Sponsor of this important initiative and look forward to the impactful outcomes it will undoubtedly achieve.”
What drives artists and creators?
Dr Diana Chester, an expert in digital media and cultural heritage in contemporary art practices, and Dr Andrew Sully, filmmaker and lecturer in the Masters of Film and Screen Arts at Sydney College of the Arts, led a panel discussion about creativity at the AIYD conference.
Dr Andrew Sully, Louis Abdilla, Damian Thompson, Dr Diana Chester, Niyati Mehta. Photo: Tim Dwyer.
Dr Chester spoke about their work as a sound artist and how creativity can help establish meaningful collaborations across cultures.
“Leadership in cross-cultural collaborations, especially in the creative arena, is really about how to nurture relationships,” Dr Chester said. “Interdisciplinary collaborations in the arts and beyond work best when we make space to listen. Through listening we can better understand how others experience the world, and this is what allows our collaborations to be authentic and connected.”
Dr Sully discussed his work in Timor-Leste, where many of his projects have been creative collaborations with survivors’ groups, telling the stories of those who have lived through political violence in the nation’s fight for independence.
“Through my work in Timor-Leste, for the first time I realised that audio-visual imagery has the potential to affect public opinion and policy, and lead to political change,” he said. “I also realised it’s crucial when working with survivors of trauma to be guided by their intimate knowledge of local people and culture. A filmmaker can be the conduit or channel for their stories to reach the rest of the world.”
Music a transformative force
After touring the Chau Chak Wing Museum’s collections, delegates moved to the Sydney Conservatorium of Music to explore the world-class facilities and enjoy musical performances from Associate Professor Vladimir Gorbach, Dr Lu Liu and musicians from the Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts in India.
Dr Lu Liu, Associate Professor Vladimir Gorbach, Bindu Subramaniam (Co-Chair AIYD), and Ambi Subramaniam with musicians from SaPa Academy performing at the closing ceremony. Photo: Tim Dwyer.
“Our collaborative performance at the AIYD conference vividly illustrated how cultural dialogue can bridge diverse backgrounds and foster deep cross-cultural appreciation,” Associate Professor Gorbach said. “It highlighted the invaluable role of spaces like our Conservatorium in nurturing these vital connections. Music, as a transformative force, drives this process by empowering us to connect, create, and deepen our understanding of one another. By breaking down barriers, it unites us, strengthens our community, and underscores the urgent need to sustain this dialogue.
“The AIYD closing ceremony performance at the Conservatorium was not just a showcase of talent, but a celebration of the power of cross-cultural and intercultural influences that shape our world,” Dr Liu added.
“By embracing and integrating our different musical traditions, we not only create something truly unique and inspiring, but we also promote equal opportunities for all voices to be heard and appreciated.”
Hero photo: Dr Lu Liu, Associate Professor Vladimir Gorbach, Bindu Subramaniam (Co-Chair AIYD), Ambi Subramaniam, Pirashanna Thevarajah (Sydney Conservatorium of Music), Aditya Ravidas, Sakethram Phani Vedala (SaPa Academy). Photo: Tim Dwyer.