The fifth conference of the AIYD was held in New Delhi, Mohali and Bengaluru, India from 27 to 30 January 2016. Delegates of AIYD 2016 included Members of Parliament, CEOs, academics, leading journalists, public policy specialists, art curators, social entrepreneurs and international athletes.


For the first time, the conference programme introduced ‘group pods’ whereby delegates pitched an idea in smaller groups to esteemed judges from Australia and India. In addition to interacting with high profile speakers, the delegation had the opportunity to participate in a number of activities, including an awe-inspiring demonstration of Gatka, a traditional Sikh form of combat-training, an impromptu Punjabi Bhangra dance lesson, and a tour of a local Gurudwara, a Sikh temple.


The formal conference program for AIYD 2016 focused on the following themes over the course of the conference in the context of the Australia-India relationship:
- Cultural identity
- Sustainability
- Innovation and entrepreneurship


Australian Delegates
Indian Delegates
- DAY 1: DELHI Wednesday, 27 January 2016
-
AIYD 2016 formally begins – Welcome activities and lunch
1:00pm
-
Group Challenge Work Session
3:00 – 4:00pm
-
Panel Discussion:
6:30pm
Australia-India Bilateral Ties: A Strengthening Partnership
Speakers:
Mr. Chris Elstoft, Deputy High Commissioner, Australian High Commission, New Delhi
Ambassador (Retd) Amit Dasgupta, Former Indian Consul-General in Sydney
Moderator:
Shaun Star, Chair, Australia India Youth Dialogue
-
Welcome Gala Dinner – Mamtaz Mahal, Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi
7:30pm
- DAY 2: MOHALI Thursday, 28 January 2016
- THEME: Cultural Identity
-
Arrive Indian School of Business, Mohali
12:00pm
-
Lunch
1:00pm
-
Panel Discussion:
2:00pm
Exploring Indian Culture
Speakers:
Mr Sumant Batra, Founder, Kumaon Literary Festival
Dr Venu Vasudevan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Sports and former Director General, National Museum, Delhi
Mr. Olivier Lafont, Actor, Author and Screenplay Writer
Moderator:
Ms. Ruchika Khanna, Economic Editor with The Tribune
-
Afternoon tea
3:30pm
-
Group Challenge Work Session
4:00 – 5:00pm
-
MP/MLA panel session
6:30pm
Next Gen Political Leaders
Sponsor: UTS:INSEARCH
Panellists:
Dushyant Chautala, Member of Parliament from Hisar Lok Sabha Constituency
Harsh Sanghavi, MLA, Gujarat
Tim Watts, Member of Parliament, from Gellibrand, Victoria
Lauren Moss, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Housing, Northern Territory Legislative Assembly
Moderator:
Jyoti Kamal, Editor, CNN IBN
-
Indian School of Business Welcome Dinner Sponsor:
7:30pm
The Indian School of Business
- DAY 3: MOHALI Friday, 29 January 2016
- THEME: Sustainability
-
Panel Discussion:
9:30am
Sustainability and Resource Management
Sponsor: UNSW Australia
Speakers:
Dr. Michele Akeroyd, Director, Goyder Institute of Water Research
Ms. P Bineesha, Executive Director, International Institute of Waste Management.
Moderator:
Mr. Rustam Sengupta, Founder and CEO, Boond and AIYD Alumnus
-
Morning Tea
11:00am
-
Panel Discussion:
11:30am
Sustainable Development
Sponsor: Macquarie University Speakers:
Professor Shreekant Gupta, Department of Economics, Delhi School of Economics
Mr. A S Harinath, Senior Environmental Specialist, The World Bank
Moderator:
Professor Philomena Leung, Associate Dean – International and Corporate Engagement, Macquarie University
-
Lunch
1:00pm
-
Fly to Bangalore
4:30pm
-
Arrive at Vivanta by Taj, Bangalore Informal Dinner (Optional)
9:00pm
- DAY 4: BANGALORE Saturday, 30 January 2016
- THEME: Innovation
-
Panel Discussion:
9.30am
Next Generation Leadership: Creating a Culture of Entrepreneurship
Sponsor: Victorian Government
Speakers:
Mr. Sundeep Sahni, Vice President, New Initiatives, Ola Cabs
Mr. Mukund Narayamurti, CEO, Asialink Business.
Moderator:
Mr. Ray Nicol, Executive Director – India, State Government of Victoria, Australia.
-
Morning Tea
11.00am
-
Panel Discussion:
11.30am
Next Generation Leadership: Social Entrepreneurship
Speakers:
Ms. Hardika Shah, Founder and CEO, Kinara Capital
Mr. Suhit Anantula, Strategy Designer, Business Models Inc.
Moderator:
Mr Achyutha Sharma, Founder, Collaborative Community, and AIYD Alumnus
-
Lunch
1.00pm
-
Group Challenge Work Session
2.00pm
Preparation for presentations
-
Afternoon Tea
3.00pm
-
Group Challenge Presentations:
3:30 –5:00pm
Three Minute Pitch to Judging Panel on opportunities for engagement between Australia and India in AIYD 2016 Theme area.
Judging panel:
Mr. Jon Bonnar, Australian Deputy Consul-General for South India.
Mr. Ray Nicol, Executive Director – India, State Government of Victoria, Australia.
Ms. Belinda Howell, General Manager Market Development, UTS: INSEARCH
Professor Philomena Leung, Associate Dean – International and Corporate Engagement, Macquarie University
-
Closing Gala Dinner at Vivanta by Taj, MG Road, Bangalore
7.30pm
Sponsor: The Jain Group of Institutes
Speakers
Panel Experts
Moderators
To read more about the dialogue, Please download below the AIYD report for year 2016.