A world-first program bringing together young Australian and Chinese leaders to promote innovation and entrepreneurship will take place with City of Sydney support.
The China Australia Millennial Project (CAMP) will bring together 150 emerging leaders from Australia and China for a five-day innovation tour of China in March, a three-month online program from March to June, followed by a five-day summit in Sydney from 12–16 June. Applications for the 2017 CAMP program are now open.
The launch of the Sydney event and a gala dinner will be held in the Centennial Hall at Sydney Town Hall, with key workshops taking place at the University of Technology, Sydney.
The City is supporting the 2017 CAMP program with $30,000 funding to event organisers AustraliaChina.org, and more than $26,000 value in-kind through venue hire waiver.
City CEO Monica Barone said the program would further strengthen ties between Australia and China while boosting Sydney’s status as a global knowledge hub.
“A key driver of the City’s long-term economic development strategy is supporting innovation and strengthening connections with Asia,” Ms Barone said.
“The China Australia Millennial Project is a great opportunity to promote Sydney as a global economic hub and financial centre, and deepen networks with future leaders from our largest trading partner.
“This exciting program encourages young, innovative thinkers to share knowledge on sustainability, energy efficiency and climate change, develop mutual understanding and work together to solve common problems.
“The summit will attract foreign visitors, support the local economy and foster innovation, entrepreneurship and capacity building.
“The City’s support is part of our growing relationship with China, and will provide valuable opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration and dialogue on global issues.”
Young innovators will be assigned to think-tanks based on their backgrounds and guided by mentors from companies, government agencies, universities and non-government organisations.
During the Sydney summit participants will take part in forums, master classes and networking events. They will then present their ideas to investors and talent scouts with the aim of obtaining grant funding to turn these ideas into actions.
The City supported the inaugural China Australia Millennial Project in 2015 with a knowledge exchange sponsorship program.
One hundred and thirty young entrepreneurs from across Australia and China came together to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing both countries at the knowledge-sharing event that focused on energy efficiency, innovation in education, mental health and digital disruption.
Participants said they were highly satisfied with the event, with 93 per cent saying they would recommend the program to a friend and nearly 98 per cent saying they were interested in pursuing future professional opportunities in China or Australia.
CAMP’s CEO Andrea Myles was named one of the Westpac and Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence from 2014 for her work with CAMP. She said the 2017 forum was an ideal opportunity for Sydney startups to carve out a new future in China.
“This is the first step in changing the landscape for startup communities in Australia by connecting entrepreneurs with like-minded innovators from China and exploring investment opportunities,” Ms Myles said.
“In the past 12 months, available startup capital in China has increased ten-fold from $US32 billion to $US338 billion.
“We are seeing a rapid transformation of China from a manufacturing powerhouse to a services powerhouse. Our entrepreneurs have the chance to take advantage of the enormous opportunities and start building relationships with like-minded innovators and develop their China skills.”
The program is also supported by the NSW Government and the federal Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Australia–China Council.
Applications to join CAMP 2017 are now open. To find out more about the CAMP program and the application process, australiachina.org
For more information, contact City of Sydney Senior Media Advisor Belinda Wallis
Phone 0467 810 160 or email bwallis@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au