The Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia cross-curriculum priority is based on 3 sets of organising ideas: Knowing Asia and its diversity, Understanding Asia’s global significance and Growing Asia–Australia engagement.

Knowing Asia and its diversity

These organising ideas emphasise the need to appreciate the backgrounds, traditions, stories, religions, beliefs and perspectives within and among the nations of the Asia region and the interconnections with Australia. This appreciation is supported by an understanding of Asia and Australia’s interconnected environments – natural, managed and constructed – and the political, economic and technological systems that drive relationships.

Understanding Asia’s global significance

These organising ideas examine the ways in which different nations in Asia have effected change and contributed historically and in modern times to global developments, with human endeavour expressed through the arts, and political, economic and scientific pursuits. Highlighting key individuals, events, developments or nations reinforces how they have contributed to Asia’s global significance.

Growing Asia–Australia engagement

These organising ideas include the relationship-building contribution of Australians with Asian heritage and explore how active connections between young people and Asia’s diverse communities can be deepened and contribute to global citizenship. Interaction builds empathy, respects cultural and linguistic differences, and leads to collaborative economic, political and social opportunities and outcomes. These active connections provide lived experiences of global citizenship for students, including through popular culture, and foster relationships that reflect the historical and contemporary interdependency of Australia and the nations of Asia.