Panel Discussion and Networking | Wednesday 23 July 2025, Melbourne, Australia

Chilean Voices in Australia: Building Community & Collaboration

This evening event, organised by the ALELD and the Consulate-General of Chile in Melbourne, promoted inspiring conversation, culture, and connection and highlighted the incredible contributions of Chileans living and working in Australia. The event showcased powerful stories across the fields of arts, entrepreneurship, innovation and academia.

Across four panel sessions, Chilean professionals and creatives told the public the ways they are making a mark in their own fields.

• Arts & Culture
  Andrea Vargas, Anis Jocelyn Aracena, Dr. Andrián Pertout, and Joshua Laurie shared their experiences as artists, musicians, and cultural leaders. Moderated by Alejandro Vargas.

• Entrepreneurship & Associativity
  Víctor Suárez, Nicole Guzmán, Felipe Gómez, and Yasna Tejo discussed business, community building, and creative enterprise. Moderated by Teresa Bascuñán.

• Innovation
  Marcelo Medel, Dr. Carol Hullin, Carlos Schafer, and Dr. Jessica Pizarro explored how Chileans are leading change in tech, health, and industry. Moderated by Bettina Neira.

• Academia
  Dr. Axel Muñoz, Dr. Israel Holas, and Dr. Daniel Capurro reflected on research, education, and knowledge-sharing. Moderated by Andrea Matus Silva.

The event included a folkloric break with a live Cueca performance by Marina Riquelme and Felipe Deij. Cueca is considered a Chilean national dance which lively represents this South American country for its beautiful costumes and typical music.

The event concluded with a networking session where guests connected over food and drinks from Two Chiles. A vibrant space was offered to engage with Chilean voices in Australia through sharing stories, encouraging creativity and building meaningful connections through collaboration.