Dr Kiran is presently visiting Australia for two weeks to strengthen ties with old Asha supporters and to meet with many new one’s. Dr Kiran would also be meeting Australia’s Governor-General Peter Cosgrove, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister Alan Tudge, other senior Government figures, aid officials, universities and corporates to share ‘Asha’s Innovative Model of Urban Development’. The Australian Government is looking towards the Asha Model to improve the lives of people in Australia’s remote Indigenous communities.
On April 7th, 2015 Dr Kiran addressed a workshop at the Gender Institute, Australian National University. Policy makers, academics and postgraduate students showed a great deal of interest in the Asha Model. [In picture: Dr Kiran with Kate Wallace of the Office of Women (Prime Minister’s department), and Dr Fiona Jenkins, Director of the ANU Gender Institute]
Kate Wallace from the Office of Women at the Prime Minister’s department giving an overview of the Office’s international work
Dr Kiran was also invited to share Asha’s Innovative Model of Development at a High Level Roundtable Discussion at The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra, Australia. Innovative ideas that were transferable were discussed at length. The meeting was chaired by Lisa Rauter, First Assistant Secretary, InnovationXchange. The Asha Team would like to thank Ms Rauter and team for their warm welcome and kind hospitality extended to Dr Kiran.
On April 8, 2015 Dr Kiran was hosted by Bryce Hutchesson, Assistant Secretary, India and Indian Subcontinent Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia. It was a highly animated and fruitful exchange about the work of Asha and its impact, and Asha looks forward to continuing these discussions on ways of escalating the partnership between Australia and Asha. [In picture: Dr Kiran with Bryce Hutchesson]
Also joining the discussion with Bryce Hutchesson was Tony Huber, Director of the India Economic Section, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia.
Dr Kiran was invited to meet Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary for Indigenous Affairs to Prime Minister, Alan Tudge (L) and Ross Fitzgerald (R) board member of Australian Friends of Asha. There was an exciting discussion around the possibilities of replicating the Asha Model among the Australian Indigenous communities.
Chairman Robert Johanson and members of the board of Australian Friends of Asha presented Dr Kiran with a cheque for the work of Asha. Heartfelt thanks to all Australian Friends of Asha board members for working so incredibly hard towards making Dr Kiran’s trip to Australia a success.
Dr Kiran with the Governor General of Australia, Sir Peter Cosgrove at the Government House. Sir Cosgrove has been a keen supporter of Asha’s work.
Dr Kiran was invited at the Parliament of South Australia in Adelaide. She shared Asha’s innovative model of development with Gill McFadyen, CEO Communites SA, Katrine Hildyard, MP, and Gerry Kandelaars, MLC, SA along with other eminent personalities from the Parliament.
Ms Penny Fowler, Chairman of The Herald and Weekly Times, and Mr Ross Fitzgerald, Director of VISY and Board Member of Asha Australia invited Dr Kiran for a meeting. Ms Fowler and Mr Fitzgerald have been enthusiastic Ambassadors for Asha.
Seeing the Australian Government’s hopes to apply lessons from Asha’s success for the development of Australia’s Indigenous communities, the Australian media is also taking a keen interest in the Asha model. Dr Kiran was interviewed by Australia’s ABC Radio National Breakfast by leading journalist Fran Kelly, ABC Radio National AM by journalist Naomi Woodley, and by ABC News24.
As Dr Kiran travels around the country to spread the word about Asha, we would love to share latest developments with you. Watch this space for more updates!
