Melbourne: A roundtable event was hosted yesterday in Melbourne, Australia, marking the signing of an MoU between Avenues, Meghalaya and Young Change Agents. It is the first knowledge exchange in entrepreneurship education with indigenous youth between Australia and India. This unique Australian-Indian partnership between two youth-focused organisations, Young Change Agents and Avenues Meghalaya, aims to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two nations through innovative education and global learning pathways.
India-Australia Economic Strategy has education as the main pillar to strengthening the bilateral relationship. Both nations are committed to a deep knowledge partnership. Education, training and research underpin their economic and people-to-people engagement across both countries. The partnership shares the common belief that strengthening entrepreneurial mindsets opens up the potential to be global leaders and changemakers.
Key objectives of the partnership
- To build an entrepreneurial education pathway for Meghalaya and NE indigenous youth
- To strengthen educator capacities in entrepreneurial education.
- To support entrepreneurial ecosystem linkages for both organisations in their respective geographies.
- To initiate opportunities for collaboration in talent identification and cultural exchange for indigenous youth across the two countries
- To plan and operationalise a pilot programme amongst tribal youth in Meghalaya for an AB testing of the partnership initiative to drive entrepreneurial skillsets programmes for indigenous communities.
The event began with the Welcome Address led by Aruna Venkatachalam, GM Partnerships and International, Young Change Agents. She said, “This is the a ground-breaking launch of a world-first partnership between India and Australia. The two social enterprises work purposefully across both countries. To spark entrepreneurial mindsets with Indigenous youth, and who are now joining forces to powerfully grow the impact we can create. Together, our partnership will support thousands of indigenous youths across India and Australia to uncover their own potential and become the change agents of their own lives and communities. Entrepreneurial education is the cornerstone of this work.”
Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, also wished the association through a virtual address. He said, “This partnership is aimed at introducing globally recognized entrepreneurial mindsets, skill sets, and toolsets to youth and educators in Meghalaya and North East India through a sustained series of interventions over a two-year period. It is truly a historic moment for North East India and particularly for the development of our youth.”
