Australian Embassy
Zimbabwe
Also accredited to Zambia, Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo

Zambia Australia Awards: Alumni meet former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard

On 15 February 2016, H.E. Suzanne McCourt hosted a reception in Lusaka for former Australian Prime Minister and Ducere Business School Chancellor, Ms Julia Gillard.  Ms Gillard’s visit to Lusaka coincided with a leadership workshop organised by the Australian High Commission and the Zambia Australia Alumni Association (ZAAA), which provided Zambian alumni with the opportunity to hear Ms Gillard’s views on both leadership and education. 

In her inspiring speech at the reception, Ms Gillard spoke of the importance of a good education, particularly for the girl child.  Education, she said, plays a critical role in empowering women, and gives them the skills and confidence to seize leadership opportunities.

More than eighty guests from the private sector, government, diplomatic corps and Zambia Australia Alumni Association (ZAAA) attended the reception.  As well as several senior government officials, also in attendance were the Minister for Mines, Energy and Water Development the Hon Christopher Yaluma and the Minister for Commerce, Trade and Industry, the Hon Margaret Mwanakatwe.

The one-day leadership workshop for alumni of Australian universities was attended by more than fifty alumni.  The workshop was facilitated by Mabel Mungomba, a well-known Zambian consultant in leadership training. H.E Suzanne McCourt, Australian High Commissioner to Zambia, facilitated one of the sessions. She challenged alumni to identify and be confident in their capabilities, to move out of their comfort zones and, when necessary, to take calculated risks to effect positive change.  The workshop was well received, with alumni saying that they felt more confident in their ability to implement change in their organisation and communities.

Ms Gillard in discussion with Georgina Mumba (centre), an Australian Alumni.