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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. 

“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.”

César Álvarez

Co-Founder & Chair, The Australia-Colombia Dialogue

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.

 

Public Diplomacy

Strategic Engagement

Special Projects

Public Diplomacy

Strategic Engagement

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.

 

OUR HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS

Advancing Australia-Colombia Relations

H.E Sophie Davies

H.E Sophie Davies

Inaugural (Fmr.) Ambassador of Australia to Colombia

H.E Alberto Mejía

H.E Alberto Mejía

Former Ambassador of Colombia to Australia and New Zealand

Alberto Calderón

Alberto Calderón

CEO and Executive Director | AngloGold Ashanti

Stephen Loosley AM

Stephen Loosley AM

Deputy Chairman, Non-Executive Director | Thales

The Hon Tony Pagone AM QC

The Hon Tony Pagone AM QC

Former Judge of the Federal Court of Australia

Soraya Caicedo

Soraya Caicedo

Programme Manager | SBS Radio

Giovanna Webb

Giovanna Webb

Honorary Consul of Colombia in the NT

Michael Cullen, MBE

Michael Cullen, MBE

President | Australia-Colombia Business Council (ACBC)

Saša Šestić

Saša Šestić

2015 World Barista Champion and Founder | ONA Coffee

Jason Stirbinskis

Jason Stirbinskis

Managing Director | Los Cerros Limited

Telmo Languiller

Telmo Languiller

Head of International Relations | Melbourne Victory Football Club

Catalina Florez

Catalina Florez

Senior Journalist | SBS World News

OUR HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS

Advancing Australia-Colombia Relations

H.E Sophie Davies

H.E Sophie Davies

Inaugural (Fmr.) Ambassador of Australia to Colombia

Stephen Loosley AM

Stephen Loosley AM

Deputy Chairman, Non-Executive Director | Thales

H.E Alberto Mejía

H.E Alberto Mejía

Former Ambassador of Colombia to Australia and New Zealand

The Hon Tony Pagone AM QC

The Hon Tony Pagone AM QC

Former Judge of the Federal Court of Australia

Alberto Calderón

Alberto Calderón

CEO and Executive Director | AngloGold Ashanti

Soraya Caicedo

Soraya Caicedo

Programme Manager | SBS Radio

Giovanna Webb

Giovanna Webb

Honorary Consul of Colombia in the NT

Michael Cullen, MBE

Michael Cullen, MBE

President | Australia-Colombia Business Council (ACBC)

Saša Šestić

Saša Šestić

2015 World Barista Champion and Founder | ONA Coffee

Jason Stirbinskis

Jason Stirbinskis

Managing Director | Los Cerros Limited

Telmo Languiller

Telmo Languiller

Head of International Relations | Melbourne Victory Football Club

Catalina Florez

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. “

Viviana Espinosa

Co-Founder & Director, The Australia-Colombia Dialogue

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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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