Assistant Minister for Defence - Future leaders participate in high-calibre development opportunity

Each year Defence sponsors a development opportunity for two of its future leaders to join a high-calibre program run by Global Voices. This year’s delegates are Ms Nuala Bethell and Sub Lieutenant Nicholas Skopal.

Global Voices is a non-profit organisation which promotes an understanding and participation in international diplomacy by young Australians. The organisation does this by arranging high level meetings in Canberra and coordinating youth delegations to the world’s most important diplomatic forums abroad.

Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert congratulated the two delegates during a briefing with them at Parliament House.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our future leaders to broaden their knowledge and networks at a high level,” Mr Robert said.

“The benefits Ms Bethell and SBLT Skopal will gain through this program will no doubt be a career highlight.”

Following private briefings with the Prime Minister, Defence Ministers, the diplomatic missions and leading academics, Ms Bethell and SBLT Skopal will now attend two strategic security conferences – the Global Security Conference in Bratislava and the Asia Security Summit Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

On their return, delegates will submit a research paper on a topic relevant to one of the conferences. Their research will have a strong focus on practical recommendations for Australia in terms of change or action.

Vice Chief of the Defence Force Air Marshal Mark Binskin said sponsoring a program like Global Voices made a significant contribution to encouraging young talent within Defence.

“I am really pleased to have selected Ms Bethell and SBLT Skopal. I believe they will make first class representatives for Defence and Australia,” AIRMSHL Binskin said.

“Investing in our people with opportunities like these contribute to us building a robust foundation for our future.”

Media Note:

Imagery is available at http://images.defence.gov.au/S20140688

Media contacts:

Richard Briedis (Minister Robert’s Office) 0477 391 174

Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999