52 Young Leaders, One Life-Changing Day in Canberra: Diplomacy, Women Empowerment & Global Leadership in Action

At the Academy of Entrepreneurs, we believe leadership is lived, not lectured. And this week, 52 remarkable Grade 8–10 girls from Sydney stepped out of the classroom and into the real world for a full-day immersion in diplomacy, women empowerment, global impact, and leadership in Australia’s capital city — Canberra.

What unfolded was nothing short of transformative.

A Morning of Diplomacy & Women Empowerment at the Croatian Embassy

Our day began with an unforgettable visit to the Embassy of Croatia, where students had the honour of meeting an extraordinary global leader: The Ambassador of Croatia to Australia, The Dean of All Ambassadors, President of the Croatian Women’s Empowerment Association, and Head of All Female Ambassadors in Australia.

In one powerful session, the girls learned about her path from childhood dreams to global diplomacy. She shared her story with honesty, humour, and heart — speaking about resilience, representation, and the responsibility of shaping international relationships.

The girls asked brilliant questions about gender equality, leadership, confidence, and navigating a high-impact global career. Many students left the room saying they felt “more inspired than ever to serve, lead, and dream bigger.”

Discovering the Story of Money at the Royal Australian Mint

From diplomacy, we shifted into economics and innovation at the Royal Australian Mint, where Australia’s currency is born.

Students explored:

• How money has evolved over thousands of years

• The cutting-edge technology behind coin production

• The history of currency in Australia

• How design, security, and production work together

Seeing money being physically minted — from raw material to the final coin — was a highlight for many students. It opened their eyes to the unseen systems, careers, and innovations that keep a country running.

A Latin American Immersion at the Embassy of Guatemala

Next, we travelled across the world without leaving Canberra — straight to the Embassy of Guatemala.

Here, students learned:

• How Australia trades with Latin America

• The key industries between the two regions

• Opportunities for future study, work, and cultural exchange

And because this is a Spanish-speaking school… we put the girls to the test!

The embassy team engaged them in real Spanish conversations — allowing them to practise vocabulary, listening, confidence, and cross-cultural communication in a real diplomatic setting. The girls felt so proud seeing their Spanish skills in action.

It truly was a “two-in-one” experience: diplomacy + language mastery.

Lunch at Parliament & A Historic Moment

We finished the day in one of the most powerful places in Australia: Parliament House.

After a beautiful group lunch, we embarked on a private tour of the building — exploring its architecture, history, and the structures that support democracy.

But the highlight? The girls were able to attend a live parliamentary session where the Prime Minister was presenting his new strategic policies to the nation.

This was an extraordinary, rare opportunity — witnessing government in action, seeing leadership unfold in real time, and understanding how decisions that shape the country are debated, questioned, and implemented.

The students walked out feeling empowered, motivated, and deeply connected to the idea that they, too, can lead.

A Day That Sparked Ambition, Purpose & Global Vision

This Canberra immersion wasn’t just an excursion — it was a launchpad.

Our girls:

• Met global leaders

• Learned from real diplomats

• Practised international languages

• Experienced Australian governance

• Saw innovation and national history

• Discovered new academic and career pathways

• Built confidence as future change-makers
  

These young leaders returned to Sydney with new dreams, new role models, and a deeper understanding of the world — ready to create impact in their communities, their country, and beyond.

If your school would like to bring this powerful leadership and diplomacy immersion to your students, reach out to us at info@aestudy.com.

 Let’s inspire the next generation of global change-makers — together.