Young professionals

Are you a young professional aged between 18-25 years? If so, we encourage you to register for the 2011 APCS young professionals' program today!

Brisbane – Australia’s new world city – will host the 2011 Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) from Wednesday 6 to Friday 8 July 2011. This eighth international Summit will bring together Mayors, civic officials, business leaders and young professionals from some of the world’s greatest cities, to share ideas and solutions to global challenges.

The young professionals’ program will be dynamic, diverse and informative. While it sits within the overall program for the 2011 APCS, the young professionals’ program contains exclusive activities, including a young professionals’ workshop – an additional ‘Summit’ day to be held Tuesday 5 July.

The ‘young professionals’ concept began at the 2007 APCS in Brisbane as a ‘youth’ stream and has since developed into a high-level professional development experience and networking opportunity with others at a similar career-stage as well as with business and civic leaders.

Please click here to download the 2011 APCS young professionals' program.

The 2011 Summit program

Under the broad theme of ‘The Business of Cities’, the 2011 APCS program will comprise keynote plenary and panel sessions, and concurrent sessions of presentations and interactive case studies.

Presentations and interactive case studies will address cutting-edge issues and showcase best practice projects over three interactive and challenging days. World-renowned speakers will focus on sustainability, connectivity and managing rapid growth in our cities over the coming decade through three sub-streams:

the business of green cities
the business of smart and connected cities
the business of growing cities.

The business of green cities	The business of smart and connected cities	The business of growing cities
Sustainability has never been more relevant. The community is demanding a commitment to sustainability on a scale never before seen. Communities are increasingly sceptical of ‘green-washing’ – city managers are witnessing the community develop a sophisticated understanding of green issues. Increasingly, the economic benefits of green management practices are being appreciated by both governments and businesses. This stream examines the business case and business benefits achieved through green practices. It also examines lessons learnt, and the benefits and outcomes from the business of greening cities.	Connections between and within cities includes a myriad of modes – transport, communication, essential services and utilities, cultural and political. Smart cities can create innovative solutions to age-old issues and to break through into new thresholds of evolution. The way cities connect their urban centres, connect with neighbouring cities and connect with the world can influence their success enormously. This stream provides the opportunity to explore how innovation and technology can provide cities and businesses with a worldwide presence and equip them to credibly operate at a global level.	The urbanisation of populations continues across the Asia Pacific region and the globe. With growth comes challenges – how to: develop or maintain the liveability of a city; protect the cultural fabric of the community; keep pace with societal changes; respond to growth pressures in a timely way; successfully fund and deliver large infrastructure projects. Many cities in the region are growing at a staggering rate – are there lessons to be learned? What are the common elements of a successful growth strategy? What role does business play? This stream will highlight innovative case studies from around the globe.

2011 APCS – an exclusive opportunity

There is a limit of 100 places within the 2011 APCS young professionals’ program, so secure your place and register now to ensure you don't miss this unique opportunity. Young professionals from around the world are encouraged to register. Once registered, young professionals will be encouraged to complete the '2011 YP speaker application form' for the exclusive opportunity to be chosen one of three speakers to present at the Young Professionals' workshop or the young professionals' representative that will join the panel session on the final day of the Summit.

Profile of a ‘young professional'
A 2011 APCS young professional is between the ages of 18-25, committed to their community, and to helping shape and implement necessary improvements to it. Young professionals recognise their power and responsibility to help forge positive development within their community, the importance of their intelligent and considered opinions, and the importance of constructively working with civic and business leaders to deliver these outcomes. Young professionals are leaders of tomorrow.

Why register?
The APCS is a biennial opportunity to contribute to the development of Asia Pacific cities and beyond, and has assisted young delegates in the past to make career, community and life-changing decisions. In an energetic environment, you’ll hear leading world thinkers deliver cutting-edge speeches, diverse panel debates and interactive presentations. Additionally, you will have opportunities to voice your opinions to the wider Summit.

From gaining access to leading professional practitioners from across the world, to networking opportunities with business and civic leaders, and opportunities for input within a truly global, practical think-tank in action, the APCS will be an interactive and results-focused event for participating young professionals. The APCS will deliver a better understanding of the complex and intricate issues facing today’s cities through an experience like none other.

Young professionals are invited to join with up to 100 like-minded young people from all over the world to build relationships and share their vision of the future prosperity of global cities – leading to the development of the Young Professionals’ Accord. The accord will be signed by all young professionals on the final day of the Summit.

This is a rare opportunity for young professionals to engage with global peers and business and civic leaders.

Young professionals' program
The 2011 APCS pre-Summit one-day workshop for young professional delegates will be held on Tuesday 5 July (the day before the official opening of the Summit). This workshop will provide an introduction to Brisbane and the Summit, an opportunity for the young professional delegates to network with each other, and time to develop official APCS Young Professional showcases which will be displayed in the Summit's Trade Market Square.

Day One, Wednesday 6 July: will be focused on enjoying the formalities of the APCS (including quality keynote speakers) and engaging with business and civic delegates. Being representative of the following two days of the APCS, day one is a great opportunity to establish long-term relationships.

Day Two, Thursday 7 July: is very much about the young professionals’ delegation and will provide an opportunity for thoughts regarding the 2011 APCS themes to be shared and preparation of the Young Professionals’ Accord.

Day Three, Friday 8 July: the Summit’s closing day, is also about formalities and will include the presentation of the Young Professionals’ Accord to all APCS delegates. The final day is a great opportunity to confirm connections with people and plan follow-up interactions.

By the end of the APCS, much will have been achieved by participating young professionals. Summit organisers encourage all delegates to stay an extra couple of days to enjoy Brisbane – Australia’s new world city – and the stunning natural environment that surrounds it.

Click here to download the young professionals' program.

Important dates

Young professional early bird registration deadline*	6 June 2011
YP speaker application form submission deadline	20 June 2011
Young professional speaker applicants notified	27 June 2011
Young professionals pre-Summit workshop	5 July 2011
2011 APCS	6 - 8 July 2011