UPCOMING program

AAMEP 2022

– Online program

Applications

In 2022, 30 young Muslims and emerging leaders from across Australia and the ASEAN region will be invited to participate in the transformative AAMEP 2022 online program!
 
Over the course of 8 weeks, successful delegates will engage in dialogue, connections and in-depth learning through a rich program of cultural, social, interreligious, and intellectual exchange with speakers and fellow delegates from across the region. 
 
Are you aged 23-40 and actively contributing to your community in Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, or Brunei Darussalam?
 
Applications now closed
Apply Now

Why apply

Over the past 20 years, AAMEP and its sister Muslim Exchange Programs have given young Muslims across Australia and the region an unrivalled platform for personal, professional, and spiritual growth. As well as in-depth learning, new perspectives, and a genuine appreciation of the region’s diverse expressions of Islam, the programs give delegates invaluable opportunities to form friendships, lasting connections and exciting collaborations with emerging leaders from across the region.

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Inspiring

Over the past two decades, AAMEP and its sister programs have distinguished themselves as highly sought after international programs. Program alumni describe their experience as life changing.

Connect with scholars, NGOs, youth, religious leaders, and other key community leaders

Immersive

An immersive 8-week online program featuring a diverse and rich range of opportunities for in-depth, meaningful dialogue.

Delve into current issues and create strong and lasting connections with fellow delegates.

Community

Join a varied and vibrant alumni network that spans diverse fields and thrives on connection.

Gain valuable friendships and exciting new opportunities to collaborate with a network of over 300 alumni.

Leadership

AAMEP and its sister Muslim Exchange Programs are renowned for bringing together emerging leaders from across the diverse Muslim communities of Australia and the ASEAN region.

Interact directly with our 2022 speakers and experiential content

Program Themes

Over the course of the 8-week virtual program, delegates will interact with an array of speakers, scholars, religious leaders, NGOs, community champions, and more, through a series of online sessions. 

  • Align with the program and set your intentions for the coming weeks
  • Get to know each other and the organisers
  • Gain a deeper understanding of Islam in Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam
  • Explore similarities and differences between our contemporary and historical expressions of Islam
  • Learn from emerging and established political leaders
  • Hear from prominent Muslim community representatives
  • Exchange ideas on community cohesion and strengthening
  • Engage in dialogue and gain a deeper understanding about the role of leadership in our communities
  • Explore Islam in relation to other faith traditions
  • Hear from interfaith leaders & peacebuilders
  • Encounter and deepen understanding of the religious ‘other’
  • Virtually tour places of worship
  • Share stories from your community work, local culture and personal experiences
  • Hear about the inspiring work of your fellow delegates
  • Gain ideas and inspiration for future collaboration
  • Learn more deeply about grassroots experiences from across our region
  • Hear from female religious and community leaders
  • Discuss equality of participation, access and engagement
  • Learn about challenges such as family violence and discrimination
  • Engage in meaningful dialogue with key leaders and activists
  • Explore diverse approaches to Islamic education & youth development
  • Meet Muslim students in Australia and ASEAN
  • Hear from leaders in youth engagement
  • Virtually tour school grounds
  • Engage with leading community organisations
  • Understand different models of community development and philanthropy
  • Explore initiatives to empower marginalised members of our societies
  • Devise ways to strengthen our communities in a post-COVID era
  • Discover a variety of creative cultural and artistic expressions of faith
  • Explore how public engagement can foster religious understanding
  • Learn about creating cultural change through the media
  • Reflect on the role of spirituality in our religious experience

By the end of the 8 weeks you will have developed personally, professionally and spiritually, as you continue to grow as an emerging leader now equipped with

  • Meaningful cross-cultural & personal connections
  • New perspectives on complex community challenges
  • Exciting ideas for growth, development and international collaboration
  • Membership of a proactive, engaged and diverse alumni community

Delegate interaction

1-2 hours per week

Delegate interaction and connection is at the heart of the AAMEP experience. Delegates will be provided with multiple platforms and opportunities to connect, collaborate and learn from inspiring young leaders from across the region.
 
From delegate social sessions to one-on-one virtual coffees and in-depth breakout room discussions, the AAMEP will offer a range of exciting opportunities to form friendships, connections and collaborations with your fellow delegates across the life of the program and beyond. For more details, see our FAQs (link to Q re what the AAMEP will involve)

Program Details

The AAMEP 2022 is scheduled to be delivered in February-March 2022. Each week of the 8 week program will include a rich program of core sessions with invited guest speakers, delegate interaction and virtual tours.
 
To fully engage in the AAMEP program experience delegates should plan to commit between 7-10 hours each week spread across the AAMEP activities listed below.

6 hours per week

Through AAMEP speaker sessions, delegates will gain exclusive access to renowned speakers and experts in their fields. Delivered via Zoom, speaker sessions will include insightful presentations followed by engaging and interactive question and answer sessions where delegates engage in dialogue with guest speakers from across the region.

 
Speaker sessions will be held three times a week and represent a core element of the AAMEP program. The likely schedule for these sessions will be:

Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays

  • 3-5pm Bangkok
  • 4-6pm KL/Manila/Brunei
  • 7-9pm Melbourne/Sydney

1-2 hours per week

Delegate interaction and connection is at the heart of the AAMEP experience. Delegates will be provided with multiple platforms and opportunities to connect, collaborate and learn from inspiring young leaders from across the region.
 
From delegate social sessions to one-on-one virtual coffees and in-depth breakout room discussions, the AAMEP will offer a range of exciting opportunities to form friendships, connections and collaborations with your fellow delegates across the life of the program and beyond. For more details, see our FAQs

1-2 hours per week

Live virtual tours offer a unique, real-time opportunity to delve into the local culture and history of communities across the region. Virtually visit some of the region’s most important sites, and see community projects and local spaces first-hand through livestreamed, customised tours created especially for the AAMEP. For more details, see our FAQs

Guest speakers

Dr Amporn Marddent

Chair, Center of Excellence in Women and Social Security, Walailak University, Southern Thailand

Peter Gould

Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Gould Studio 

Prof Samina Yasmeen

Director, Centre for Muslim States & Societies, University of Western Australia

Assoc Prof Halim Rane

Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, Griffith University

Adel Salman

President, Islamic Council of Victoria

Kong Rithdee

Deputy Director, Thai Film Archive

Atty Anna Basman

Member of Parliament, Bangsamoro Transition Authority

Assoc Prof Chang-Yau Hoon

Director, Centre for Advanced Research, University of Brunei Darussalam

Saara Sabbagh OAM

Founder & Director
Benevolence Australia

Rabbi Zalman Kastel AM

Founder and National Director,
Together for Humanity

Dr Pechdau Tohmeena

Member of Parliament, Bhumjaithai Party, Thailand

Dr Majdey Zawawi

Lecturer in Islamic Studies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam

Dr Anisa Buckley

Research Fellow
Melbourne Law School, the University of Melbourne

Dr Nihayatul Wafiroh, MP

Member of Indonesian Parliament
National Awakening Party

Dr Anne Aly

Member of Australian Parliament for Cowan, WA
Australian Labor Party

Reverend Kristi

Chairperson
Srikandi Lintas Iman Women’s Interfaith Community

Wiwin Siti Aminah Rohmawati

Co-Founder
Srikandi Lintas Iman Women’s Interfaith Community

Endang Sri Rahayu

Chairperson
Muslimah Ahlulbait Indonesia

Tasneem Chopra OAM

Cross-cultural Consultant

Feda Abdo

Manager – Communications and Community Relations
Muslim Women Australia

Lies Marcoes Natsir

Executive Director
Rumah Kita Bersama Foundation

Fadilla Dwianti Putri

Program Manager Prevention of Child Marriage Programs, Rumah Kita Bersama Foundation

Dr Faqihuddin Abdul Kodir

Founder, Fahmina Institute

Alex Long

Chief Executive Officer
Multicultural Youth Affairs Network NSW

Prof Abdul Mu’ti

General Secretary, Central Board of Muhammadiyah

Suraiya Kamaruzzaman

Co-Founder, Flower Aceh

Emha Ainun Nadjib

Indonesian Poet, Essayist, and Humanist

Ayman Islam

General Manager, Islamic Council of Victoria

Saba Hakim

Co-Founder, Australian MADE (Muslim Adolescent Development & Education)

Assmaah Helal

Program Operations Manager
Football United & Creating Chances

Drs. K.H. M. Akrim Mariat

Principal, Darussalam Gontor, Modern Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren)

Professor Dr. Hamid Fahmy Zarkasyi

Rector, University of Darussalam (UNIDA) Gontor

Students

University of Darussalam (UNIDA) Gontor

Students

Darussalam Gontor, Modern Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren)

Shaffira Gayatri

Board Member, HELP for Refugees and Same Skies Indonesia

Fazeel Arain

Principal and Co-Founder
Al Siraat College

Mufti Aasim Rashid

Head of Islamic Education & Programs, Al Siraat College

Summer Rwehumbiza

Head of Primary School
Al Siraat College

Vis Naidu

Head of Secondary School
Al Siraat College

Shahidah Osman

Head of Student Learning and Enrichment
Al Siraat College

Students

Al Siraat College

Nerlian (Lian) Gogali

Founder
Mosintuwu Institute, Poso

Sara Mansour

Co-Founder & Artistic Director, Bankstown Poetry Slam

Dr Malcolm Haddon

Head of Community Resilience Team, Multicultural NSW

Jeremy Jones AM

Co-Chair, Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims & Jews

Yunicha Pagiling (Yugi)

Member, Mahabbah Institute for Peace and Goodness 

Abu Muneer Ismail Davids

CEO, National Zakat Foundation

Sabeth Abilawa

Director General, Central Board of the Muhammadiyah Institute for Zakat and Philanthropy

Dr. Rahmawati Husein

Vice Chair, Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Centre (MDMC)

Banok Rind

Deputy Executive Officer, Koorie Youth Council

and more to be announced!

Key Dates

Information Session

16 October 2021

AAMEP Application deadline

7  November 2021

First round results announced via email

8 December 2021

ASEAN Interviews via Zoom

13 December 2021
– 23 December 2021

Australian Interviews via Zoom

5 January 2022
– 6 January 2022

AAMEP 2021 

31 January 2022
– 28 March 2022