How has your engagement with Asia enhanced your life personally?

Exposure to Asia has provided enduring personal experiences. Two years living on the island of Borneo - including the birth of my son - provided a privileged insight into the island's rich and deep cultures. Travels throughout Asia, from China to India, from Burma to Vietnam, continually highlight both the richness of our neighbourhood, the challenges that exist and the potential for Australia to play a constructive role.

How has your engagement with Asia enhanced your life professionally?

The majority of my career has had a heavy Asia focus. Whether as a diplomat or as an executive, pursuing a national or a commercial interest across this dynamic part of the world, it has provided endless professional challenges and reward. It has provided me with a much broader professional set of experiences than I had envisaged leaving University, and a far greater breadth of career opportunity than had I remained within Australia's border.

Do you have a story about your engagement with Asia that you would like to share?

In the UN Hut at Panmunjon (Korea), with my feet on either side of the Military Demarcation Line, I saw a North Korean soldier, peering through the window. He slid his finger across his neck in a cutting motion. We can't underestimate the challenges (and opportunities) in our region - and Asia literacy will help our ability to respond. I should have responded by blowing back a kiss!