Business Alliance for Asia Literacy

Asia is becoming more important to the global economy. Within 10 years, the region will have three of the four largest economies of the world. A generational shift of financial might is occurring from the west to the east. The IMF forecasts the global economy to decline by 1.3 percent yet developing Asia is predicted to be much stronger at 4.8 percent growth.

Increasingly, Australian business leaders see Asia as a growth engine. Many companies are consequently investing in ensuring their talent base is Asia literate, able to leverage opportunities and minimize risk in this new economy.

Yet, Australia’s education statistics do not reflect the growing importance of Asia for Australia.

• No Australian education system requires schools to teach about the Asian region
• 50 percent of schools teach very little about Asia
• Only 6 percent of Year 12 students study an Asian language, and just 3 percent pursue these studies at University
• Only 2.5 percent of Year 12 students study Chinese
• In one state, only 2 percent of Year 12 Modern History students choose to study China while 65 percent choose Germany and 19 percent choose the Soviet Union. This trend applies nationally.

Australia’s future depends not only on our economic success but on our ability to solve fundamental global problems. Understanding the languages and cultures of our nearest neighbours is critical to this effort.

We, as representatives of leading Australian businesses and industry organisations, call on our schools, on school communities, on education systems, and on our Governments to ensure that:

• Asia skills and Asian languages are a core part of Australian curriculum
• delivery of this is adequately funded
• senior students are given incentives to take up Asia studies and Asian languages
• teachers are equipped and available to teach Asia skills

The Business Alliance for Asia Literacy is made up of major corporations, peak bodies including the Australian Council for Trade Unions and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Australian Industry Group and the Business Council of Australia who represent over 400,000 Australian businesses.

View list of members