The inaugural forum will be co-chaired by Shepparton Future Voices founder and Congolese community leader Rashidi Sumaili and DRC member of parliament Dr Luc Mulimbalimba.
Melbourne-based Centre for Optimism chief executive and former Victorian minister and G20 senior adviser Victor Perton will moderate proceedings at the Shepparton campus of La Trobe University.
Mr Perton said Friday's session was the first in a series of planned meetings, including Zoom meetings, over the next few months between government leaders, business people, diplomats and students to discuss the potential of fostering links between the DRC and Australia.
“Hosting the first session of the summit in Shepparton is a symbol of the invigoration of regional Australia and optimism for growth in business, manufacturing and innovation,” Mr Perton said.
“It also acknowledges Shepparton’s multicultural community, including many refugees and migrants from Africa and their thriving Australian-born families.”
He said the summit aimed to identify partnership opportunities between the DRC and Australia involving sustainable agriculture, food industries, tourism and hospitality, water management and cultural awareness exchanges.
He said the DRC had Africa's fourth largest population, was the second biggest country in terms of area and had some of the largest mineral reserves in sub-Saharan Africa.
Mr Perton said the summit also aimed to help regional young people in both countries to build relationships in diplomacy, business, education and health promotion.
Speakers at this Friday's summit meeting include Adelaide-based Jenny Weaver, chair of the Birthing Kits Foundation, which has delivered more than 200,000 birthing kits in the Congo to safeguard mothers and children in poor communities where birth occurs in the home or a village facility.
Mr Perton said the summit at La Trobe University's Fryers St, Shepparton, campus from 9am to 5pm, was open for interested members of the public to attend.
More information at https://www.centreforoptimism.com/2021-Australia-Democratic-Republic-of-Congo-Summit/
