Horizons - International Engagement Leadership Program

The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) partnered with The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to deliver the Horizons – International Engagement Leadership Program since 2021.

The program was designed to provide economic development officers with an understanding of how businesses can harness trade and investment opportunities as part of their regional post-COVID recovery strategy.

The program will not run in 2024.

Horizons Alumni

Those who successfully completed the Horizons program join an extensive network of economic development practitioners from across the country who can call on each other to exchange knowledge and tools.

If you are part of the alumni and would like to share a story, please contact us at [email protected]

Alumni:

Ashley Sambrooks	Coordinator within the Industry and Destination Development Section	Coffs Harbour City Council	NSW
Rebecca Johnson	Department Leader of the Community and Economy Team	Cabonne Council	NSW
Samita Rai	Economic Development Coordinator	Moree Plains Shire Council	NSW
Zoe Johnson	City Economy Officer	Maitland City Council	NSW
Alice Percy	Executive Manager City Growth and Development Services	City of Darwin	NT
Edwina Marks	Interim CEO for the Maranoa Regional Council	Maranoa Regional Council	QLD
Jarrod Delahunty	Principal Economic Development Officer	Fraser Coast Regional Council	QLD
Jinendra Khara	Senior Adviser – Strategic Partnerships	Redland City Council	QLD
Lidewij Koene	Economic Development Senior Officer	Western Downs Regional Council	QLD
Mark Forbes	Leading Gulf Savannah Development	Gulf Savannah Development	QLD
Melanie Lavelle-Maloney	Tourism, Trade & Investment Advisor - Office of the CEO	Charters Towers Regional Council	QLD
Dylan Swincer	Tourism and Economic Development Officer	City of Port Lincoln	SA
Simon Millcock	CEO of the Legatus Group	Central Local Government Region SA	SA
Skye Thompson	Economic Development Officer	West Coast Council	TAS
Matthew Scott	Tourism and Economic Development Team Leader	Moyne Shire Council	VIC
Tim Mcdougall	Coordinator of Economic Development	Ararat Rural City Council	VIC
Danelle Dowding	Economic Development Project Coordinator	City of Busselton	WA
Leon Delpech	Business Development Manager	Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development	WA
Nick Edwards	Project Lead for a Proposed Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Hub	South West Development Commission	WA

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should apply for the Horizons program?

Individuals in economic development roles within regional and rural shire council, chambers of commerce and economic development organisations are encouraged to apply.

We are looking for a diversity of leaders who are interested in connecting with others and gaining the necessary tools to achieve their goals in their region.

How do I apply for the Horizons program?

Apply now!

Tell us about your experience in economic development, your current role, and your vision for your region.

Your application should include a short introduction answering the following four questions and responding to the selection criteria, as well as your CV and/or LinkedIn profile support material.

Who are you, and why do you do what you do?
How have you explored and developed ways to promote your region so far?
How do you see your role as an advocate for your region?
Why this program, and why now?

How is the program structured?

By participating in the program, you are committing to:

A mix of online sessions and masterclasses (12.5 hours in total)
Online team catch-ups (4 x 1 hour)
Mentor meetings (2 x meetings)
The project (minimum investment of 10-15 hours)

What does the development of an International Engagement Strategy entail?

The international engagement strategy is an end-of-program evaluation tool that you develop to actively apply the lessons of the program to your region. As an exercise, the strategy can but does not require your organisation’s backing. It does, however, require out-of-the-box thinking and the application of the program’s learnings to your specific region.

Through the program, you will receive guidance to develop a pitch, then you will meet with a mentor to flesh out your ideas and test whether or not they are applicable to your region. You will meet with your mentor a second time once you have drafted your strategy, to review content before submission to a judging panel.

You will also be expected to submit your pitch in video form – editing skills are not required – to present your ideas to the cohort. Support will be provided along the way!

What does it take to join the Horizons alumni?

A badge of successful completion is distributed to all those who follow the online sessions, meet with their mentors, actively engage with the facilitators and other participants, and develop an international development strategy that is evaluated by the judging panel at the end of the program.

What are the benefits of being a part of the Horizons alumni?

Being a part of the Horizons alumni is being connected to a vast network of national and international organisations. It provides you with the opportunity to meet other leaders in economic development roles across the nation, and to exchange knowledge and tools. Your strategy will be presented to a vast range of actors in the field who will support you during and after the completion of the program in the expansion of your horizons.