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Meet Asha, the equality advocate opening diplomatic careers for women
Award-winning gender equality advocate Asha Clementi is passionate about creating more opportunities for women to engage with the diplomatic community and pursue impactful careers. A graduate of the ANU Bachelor of International Security Studies and a Master of Diplomacy, she empowers them to seek diplomatic careers.
Overview
While in New York, Asha Clementi seized an opportunity to attend a UN Security Council Arria meeting on Syrian relations, driven by her eagerness to experience what a diplomatic career would be like first-hand.
- Before commencing her international security degree at ANU, Asha co-founded The Girls Leadership Network, a not-for-profit Australian-based initiative to empower teenage girls to achieve their goals.
- In her first year as an undergraduate student at ANU, Asha was at the UN headquarters in New York attending the UN Commission on the Status of Women when she got to sit in on a UN Security Council Arria briefing organised by UN Member States.
- As an ANU graduate, Asha was named the 2022 ACT Young Woman of the Year and appeared on the 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australians 2022 list. Her work has also been recognised internationally with a UK Commonwealth Points of Light Award.
Introduction to diplomacy
In her first year as an undergraduate student at ANU, Asha was at the UN headquarters in New York attending the UN Commission on the Status of Women when she got to sit in on a UN Security Council Arria briefing organised by UN Member States. Both experiences changed her life, sparking a fire within her: a burning desire to be part of diplomatic solutions on the world stage.
"Being at the UN was monumental. I suddenly thought, if I could gain access here, where else could I get into?"
Asha was born in the US and moved with her parents to Canberra when she was 14. They were part of the international business community and inspired Asha to undertake her diplomatic mission. Her interest in diplomatic and international relations began with role-playing in Model UN simulations in Year 7.
"Essentially, we were a bunch of thirteen-year-olds pretending to be global leaders dressed in business clothes borrowed from our parents. We debated real-world issues and how to solve them," Asha says.
"From then on, I knew I wanted a job where I could advocate for people while travelling the world."
Asha won the ACT Young Woman of the Year 2022.
Carving out a diplomatic career
For young women in Australia, carving out a diplomatic career can be challenging. Although women should be more represented, in 2021, they comprised less than half of the heads of Australian missions overseas. But that didn’t stop Asha, an award-winning gender equality advocate, from pursuing a girl-powered path.
During Year 12, Asha co-founded The Girls Leadership Network (TGLN) in Canberra with her mother. The program offered free leadership workshops to young women in Years 11 and 12.
"The Girls Leadership Network provides a series of workshops for young women aged 16 to 21. This gives them access to amazing speakers, networking opportunities and content that helps them develop their leadership potential", says Asha.
"The aim is to inspire, empower and help them achieve their dream career."
In 2018, in her first year at ANU, Asha founded Girls Run the World (GRTW). A not-for-profit program, it empowers young women leaders aged 18 to 25 to connect with the diplomatic community. They are given opportunities to experience a day in the life of an embassy staff member by shadowing an ambassador or working on various relevant tasks.
"Girls Run the World has seen more than 250 young women leaders spend a day with the participating embassies and high commissions, meeting with ambassadors and making tangible contributions to embassy work," says Asha.
Asha speaking at the ANU Griffin Hall Valedictory event.
Studying diplomacy to build skills
Asha studied the Bachelor of International Security Studies at ANU to build diplomatic, negotiation and communication skills. Her studies gave her first-hand knowledge of what diplomacy careers could offer.
She travelled to Myanmar on a study tour. She and other students investigated the disjunction between increased women’s participation in education and improved post-education outcomes through policy analyses and interviews conducted in schools, communities and political arenas.
After her bachelor’s degree, Asha studied for the Master of Diplomacy at the ANU Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs. Her lecturers included former high commissioners and academics with a wide range of expertise and global perspectives.
"My experience at ANU was exceptional. The calibre of learning and the teaching staff in the Coral Bell School and the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific (CAP) was remarkable."
With the ANU Master of Diplomacy under her belt, Asha worked as an executive assistant with the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at ANU. During this time, she was recognised by the 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australians 2022 and named ACT Young Woman of the Year 2022 for her work with The Girls Leadership Network.
"It felt so good to have that community and academic recognition."
Asha received the UK Commonwealth Points of Light Award, granted by the late Queen Elizabeth II, for her dedication to supporting and empowering young women and girls.
Moderating a panel for The Girls Leadership Network in 2019.
Gender equality in diplomacy still has a long way to go
With her unwavering determination and dedication to advancing gender equality, Asha Clementi remains an exceptional pioneer in diplomacy. Her remarkable efforts serve as a catalyst, inspiring and empowering future generations of young women to create a more inclusive and equitable world.
So, what’s next? Asha is exploring her impactful career options while enjoying some overseas travel.
"Many postgraduate careers are open to me, but I’m exploring the world for now and how I can make a difference," says Asha.
She feels that gender equality in diplomacy still has a long way to go.
"Empowering young women in leadership positions through organisations like The Girls Leadership Network is critical to helping us get there," Asha says.
"Whenever and wherever I end up, that will be my goal."
Gain a new diplomatic perspective at the world-leading ANU Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs.
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