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 AM

Founder & 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, Universiti 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 Suphatmet Yunyasit

Secretary-General, Religions for Peace-Interreligious Council of Thailand (RfP-IRC)

Prof Ahmad Fauzi

Professor of Political Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Rev Dr Hermen Shastri

Secretary General, Council of Churches of Malaysia

Dr Tirmizy Abdullah

Assistant Professor of History, Mindanao State University

Ridwaan Jadwat

First Assistant Secretary, Southeast Asia Division, First Assistant Secretary, Southeast Asia Division

Yasmin Busran Lao

Founder, Nisa ul Haqq fi Bangsamoro

Saba Hakim

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

Arash Bordbar

Ambassador, Community Refugee Sponsorship Australlia

Assoc Prof Imtiyaz Yusuf

Coordinator, Islam and Buddhism Program, The International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation, International Islamic University of Malaysia

Arizza Nocum

Founder Kris for Peace

YB Fuziah Saleh

Women’s Chief, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (People’s Justice Party)

Dr Faisal Tehrani

Research Fellow, Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation, The National University of Malaysia

Hajah Nora

Counsellor, Clarity Sdn Bhd

Jonty Aisha Biona

Shariah Counselor-at-Law, & National Advisory Council Member, Philippine National Police

Padinya Aree

Co-Founder Trash Hero Pattani

Sheikh Ahmed Abdo

Founder QUL College, Shifa Institute, Sydney

Ustazah Hanisah Othman

Education Officer, Institut Tahfiz Al-Quran Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Brunei

Rosida Pusu

President, Network of Women Against Violence in Southern Thailand (N-WAVE)

Jamela Alindogan

Correspondent, Al Jazeera English

Dr Prasert Suksasakawin

Director, Center for Islamic and Iranian Studies, Siam Technology College, Thailand

Assoc Prof Macrina A. Morados

Associate Professor, Institute of Islamic Studies, University of the Philippines

Gayathry S Venkiteswaran

Assistant Professor, School of Media, Languages and Culture, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Raiyan Abdul Rahim

Member, National Council, People’s Justice Party, Malaysia

Nasreen Hanifi

President, Mission of Hope, Sydney

Feda Abdo

Communications and Community Relations Manager, Muslim Women Australia

Farida Mangcaan

Project Coordinator, Marawi Recovery Project

Nurainie Haziqah Shafii

President Girl2Leader, Malaysia

Sarina Cheloh

President Muslimah Leadership Club Naratiwat, Thailand

Khairunnisa Ash’ari

Co-Founder & Community Engagement Director, Green Brunei

Melati Lum

Ayesha Dean Detective Series

Yusra Metwally

Senior Policy and Projects Officer, Western Sydney Community Forum
 

Sinan Ismail

Founder of Durioo, Digital Durian and Omar & Hana
 

Selahuddin Hashim

Founder & Executive Director Moropreneur
 

Banok Rind

Senior Policy Advisor, Lowitja Institute

MP Zia Alonto Adiong

Deputy Speaker Bangsamoro Transition Authority

Noorhafizah Rashid

Founder Big BWN Project
 

Qutbiallam Timor

Director, Refugee Resource Hub, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
 

Professor Rohane Derogongan

Philippine Historical Association
 

Anne Lasimbang

Executive Director, PACOS

Mariam Mohammed

Co Founder, MoneyGirl

Nasha Damia

Co-Director Rohingya Women Development Network

Huwaida Ishaaq

Founder Heartwrite Co.

Sara Mansour

Co-Founder & Artistic Director Bankstown Poetry Slam

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