Speaking out at APEC Voices of the Future

Honolulu in Hawaii is best known for the sunshine and beaches. Four five Awardees, Honolulu is now known as the latest destination to mix with world leaders and have an opportunity to input into APEC Voices of the Future.

This year The Duke of Ed was selected to assist APEC as a nominating organisation to select the five youth delegates to attend the APEC Voices of the Future. APEC, Voices of the Future is the youth component of the APEC event.

APEC is a 21 member association of economies from the Asia-Pacific region established at the behest of Bob Hawke in 1989. The goals of this are to advance economic integration and prosperity. This meeting has developed into one of the world’s most significant information exchange, structural reform and business diplomacy bodies.

Voices of the Future occurs annually and provides a platform for youth leaders and educators from the 21 APEC member economies to engage with APEC leaders, Ministers, Senior Government Officials and business leaders.

Five young people from Australia attended the conference in Honolulu 2011 as youth delegates. They all are Duke of Ed Awardees:

David Speirs (SA) – Group leader and Duke of Ed National Board Director
Paul Chessell (NSW)
James Gorman (VIC)
Anna Lee (NSW)
Stephanie Moncur (VIC)

Over the course of the conference, delegates has the opportunity to visit Kamehameha School, a school for native Hawaiians and attended a forum at the Asia-Pacific Centre of Security Studies. Admiral Patrick Walsh, Commander of the Pacific Fleet and one of the USA’s most highly credentialed military operators, was guest speaker at this forum.

“Admiral Walsh spoke on security in the Asia Pacific zone and the (obviously difficult) task of ensuring the right balance of security between the major powers in the region. The Asia Pacific is a phenomenal trading block with the largest ports in the world and has been one of the success stories of globalisation,” says David Speirs.

The Australian delegates also had the chance to observe a meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council’s Regional Economic Integration working group. This group is business oriented which seeks to make doing business in the Asia-Pacific straight forward.

This same day, the Australian delegates also had the chance to meet the Australian Ambassador to the USA, The Hon Kim Beazley. David Speirs said “Our time with Ambassador Beazley was extended from 20-40 minutes, quite a coup for us. We spent time talking to the Ambassador about Australia’s role in APEC and defence in the region, but then as we became more relaxed we chatted about US and Australian politics and the current state of play in both countries. He was frank, down to earth and friendly – our time with him was definitely a highlight of the week.”

James Gorman who works for The Duke of Ed Victoria says “I experienced so much...I can’t believe all the opportunities and experiences I had the privilege of being involved in... When a group of people share an amazing experience such as APEC you bond quickly and will share the connection forever.”

Pictured Above: APEC, Voices of the Future Delegates with Ambassador Kim Beazley (centre).

Speaking out at APEC Voices of the Future

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