Are you a young professional studying international relations or simply interested in what’s happening in the world around you? The AIIA WA Branch offers a casual, friendly environment for meeting others with a similar interest in international affairs, as well as a place for stimulating conversation and debate. There are monthly seminars as well as specific YPN events throughout the year.

To find out more, please feel free to email our Convener Ms Candy Cheung at  ypnwa@20.185.176.227 or go to the membership page.

The AIIA receives advanced notice of prominent speakers and, for our YPN members, we try to organise special offers such as discounted rates for upcoming events. Members are usually sent notice of the meeting and asked to RSVP to confirm attendance.

2018 YPN Committee

• Candy Cheung (Convener)
• Natalie Connor
• Hugo Seymour
• Rebecca White

 Past Events

Demystifying International Tax

The AIIA Young Professionals Network, co-badging with KPMG, hosted guests for an insightful discussion with Grant Wardell-Johnson on international tax.

• Date: Thursday 12 April 2018
• Place: Perth

Business Strategies for the Indo-Pacific Era

The WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Perth USAsia Centre and the AIIA Young Professionals Network hosted guests for a business breakfast event focussed on the opportunities for Western Australia to trade and invest in the burgeoning markets of the Indo-Pacific.

Speakers:

Hon. Jason Clare MP, Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment

Andrew Parker, Executive General Manager International Services, Australia Post

Mr Rick Newnham, CCIWA Chief Economist

Bonnie Lin, Managing Director of B2 Rainmakers

Dr Jemma Green, Co-Founder & Chair of Power Ledger

Professor Gordon Flake, CEO Perth USAsia Centre

• Date: Friday 6 April 2018
• Place: Perth

Networking Drinks

The AIIA Young Professionals Network in partnership with Young Australians in International Affairs and Curtin International Relations Society gathered for networking drinks in the City.

• Date: Thursday 30 November 2017
• Place: Perth

Careers Without Borders: Leading Global Change through Innovation and Entrepreneurialism

The AIIA Young Professionals Network and the Australia Indonesia Business Council Young Professionals hosted guests for a panel discussion exploring how young professionals from all backgrounds can use innovation and entrepreneurialism to make a positive impact in the global community. This event was proudly sponsored by Gilbert + Tobin.

Speakers:

Alicia Curtis – Founder of Alyceum

Jeffrey Effendi – Founder of DrawHistory

Mark Stickells – Director of Business Development and Innovation at UWA

Stephanie Arrowsmith – Co-Founder of Impact Hub Jakarta

• Date: Wednesday 15 November 2017
• Place: Perth

 Drinks with Dr Alix Valenti on development in Timor Leste

The AIIA Young Professionals Network hosted guests for a discussion with Dr Alix Valenti on how international policies have affected Timor Leste since its first attempt at independence – from Indonesian invasion in 1975 to the controversy of the Timor Gap with Australia.

• Date: Monday 23 October 2017
• Place: Perth

Language Class #2: Spanish

The YPN’s second language class of the series was Spanish and was delivered by Rafael Baro, the founder and director of Oniria Language Studio in West Perth.

• Date: Monday 18 September 2017
• Place: West Perth

Careers Without Borders: Speed Dating with Professionals in International Affairs

The Young Professionals Network of the Australian Institute of International Affairs (YPN) in partnership with Young Australians in International Affairs invited guests to the second event in the 2017 Careers Without Borders series, ‘Speed Dating with Professionals in International Affairs’.

At this event guests spoke to professionals with experience in a variety of internationally focused industries including defence, policy, research, law, business and development. Attendees were provided with the opportunity to find out how they could get started in forging their own career in international affairs.

Speakers:

Sergeant Tara Beckett, AFP

Dr Sandy Chong, Vice-President elect, United Nations Association of Australia

Mr Joe James, Political-Economic Officer, US Consulate-General

Ms Nicole Matrai, Principal Policy Adviser, Minister for Housing, Veterans Issues and Youth

Mr Mervyn Piesse, Manager of the Global Food and Water Research, Future Directions International

Mr Alisdair Putt, Migration Agent and Lawyer, Putt Legal

• Date: Thursday 24 August 2017
• Place: Perth

Careers Without Borders: Getting Published in International Affairs

The Australian Institute of International Affairs Young Professionals Network and the Curtin International Relations Society invited guests to a seminar on getting published in International Affairs.

Speakers:

Anne-Marie Balbi, PhD Candidate, Curtin University, Department of Social Sciences and Security Studies

Helen Clark, Freelance Journalist and Contributor to the The Lowy Institute, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, The Diplomat, South China Morning Post and the Asia Times

Flavia Bellieni Zimmermann, PhD Candidate, UWA Centre for Muslim States and Societies, and Commissioning Editor for the Australian Outlook, AIIA WA

• Date: Tuesday 1 August 2017
• Place: Perth

Language Class Dinner #1: Mandarin

The YPN hosted guests for a lesson in Mandarin which marked the inaugural language class of the series. Attendees enjoyed scrumptious dishes from the Billy Lee’s kitchen.

• Date: Wednesday 12 July 2017
• Place: Northbridge