ABOUT US
MEDIA RELEASE
Government deepens Australia-Colombia Relations
Government deepens
Australia-Colombia Relations
On June 13, 2018, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, the then Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, announced the establishment of the first Australia-Colombia Dialogue, in the context of the free trade agreement negotiations with Pacific Alliance and the 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper.
![Featured_Episode](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TAQIOQIZ5ZCWBEYNWLXN6C2AXM.jpeg)
![Featured_Episode](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TAQIOQIZ5ZCWBEYNWLXN6C2AXM.jpeg)
![Featured_Episode](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/TAQIOQIZ5ZCWBEYNWLXN6C2AXM.jpeg)
“Everything we are, and do is for the promotion of Australia-Colombia relations. The creation of new connections between both countries, and the strengthening of existing ones, drives us to continue working. This is a task that requires the support of all sectors, each professional and leader, therefore, everyone plays a vital role in bringing both countries closer together.”
OUR STORY
Creating a meeting place for leaders
The Australia-Colombia Dialogue was established in 2018 with the support of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR), Charles Sturt University, the Australian Embassy in Colombia, the Australian Federal Police(AFP), the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (AUSTRADE), as well as other Australian and Colombian private organisations.
The Dialogue mission was to establish a meeting place where leaders from both countries regularly, meaningfully and fruitfully, exchange ideas and viewpoints about the future of Australia-Colombia relations.
![Featured_Episode](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_0446-scaled.jpg)
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Public Diplomacy
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Strategic Engagement
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Special Projects
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Public Diplomacy
![](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2-11.png)
Strategic Engagement
![](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/3-9.png)
Special Projects
WHAT WE DO
Bringing key sectors closer together
The Dialogue fosters practical collaboration between leaders from both countries, and their working sectors. Building a network of professionals to increase the visibility of Australian-Colombian links, and raising awareness about the importance of Australia-Colombia relations sit at the heart of everything we do.
As an independent, non-partisan initiative, the Dialogue strengthens the existing business, diplomatic, security, academic, cultural and people-to-people connections while serving as an unprecedented opportunity to capitalise on the momentum created by the opening of the Australian Embassy in Colombia in June 2017.
![Featured_Episode](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_1103-scaled.jpg)
OUR HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS
Advancing Australia-Colombia Relations
![H.E Sophie Davies](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/3-14.png)
H.E Sophie Davies
Inaugural (Fmr.) Ambassador of Australia to Colombia
![H.E Alberto Mejía](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1-17.png)
H.E Alberto Mejía
Former Ambassador of Colombia to Australia and New Zealand
![Alberto Calderón](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2-18.png)
Alberto Calderón
CEO and Executive Director | AngloGold Ashanti
![Stephen Loosley AM](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/5-6.png)
Stephen Loosley AM
Deputy Chairman, Non-Executive Director | Thales
![The Hon Tony Pagone AM QC](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/4-11.png)
The Hon Tony Pagone AM QC
Former Judge of the Federal Court of Australia
![Soraya Caicedo](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/12-5.png)
Soraya Caicedo
Programme Manager | SBS Radio
![Giovanna Webb](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/9-5.png)
Giovanna Webb
Honorary Consul of Colombia in the NT
![Michael Cullen, MBE](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/6-6.png)
Michael Cullen, MBE
President | Australia-Colombia Business Council (ACBC)
![Saša Šestić](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/10-5.png)
Saša Šestić
2015 World Barista Champion and Founder | ONA Coffee
![Jason Stirbinskis](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/11-5.png)
Jason Stirbinskis
Managing Director | Los Cerros Limited
![Telmo Languiller](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/7-5.png)
Telmo Languiller
Head of International Relations | Melbourne Victory Football Club
![Catalina Florez](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/13-5.png)
Catalina Florez
Senior Journalist | SBS World News
OUR HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS
Advancing Australia-Colombia Relations
![H.E Sophie Davies](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/3-14.png)
H.E Sophie Davies
Inaugural (Fmr.) Ambassador of Australia to Colombia
![Stephen Loosley AM](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/5-6.png)
Stephen Loosley AM
Deputy Chairman, Non-Executive Director | Thales
![H.E Alberto Mejía](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1-17.png)
H.E Alberto Mejía
Former Ambassador of Colombia to Australia and New Zealand
![The Hon Tony Pagone AM QC](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/4-11.png)
The Hon Tony Pagone AM QC
Former Judge of the Federal Court of Australia
![Alberto Calderón](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2-18.png)
Alberto Calderón
CEO and Executive Director | AngloGold Ashanti
![Soraya Caicedo](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/12-5.png)
Soraya Caicedo
Programme Manager | SBS Radio
![Giovanna Webb](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/9-5.png)
Giovanna Webb
Honorary Consul of Colombia in the NT
![Michael Cullen, MBE](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/6-6.png)
Michael Cullen, MBE
President | Australia-Colombia Business Council (ACBC)
![Saša Šestić](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/10-5.png)
Saša Šestić
2015 World Barista Champion and Founder | ONA Coffee
![Jason Stirbinskis](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/11-5.png)
Jason Stirbinskis
Managing Director | Los Cerros Limited
![Telmo Languiller](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/7-5.png)
Telmo Languiller
Head of International Relations | Melbourne Victory Football Club
![Catalina Florez](https://auscoldialogue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/13-5.png)
Catalina Florez
Senior Journalist | SBS World News
“Australia and Colombia have a long history working together, but in the last few years their relationships has gained unprecedented momentum. The opening of the Australian Embassy in Colombia on June 2017, it’s only one of the multiple reasons both countries are closer than ever before. “
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The Australia-Colombia Dialogue acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, culture, and communities, and pay our respect to Elders past and present.
We also wish to acknowledge the Ngunnawal, Ngunawal and Ngambri peoples as traditional custodians of the country that is now the Canberra region, where the Australia-Colombia Dialogue is based.
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