Somos21, the proud recipient of a Council of Australia Latin America Relations (‘COALAR’) grant in 2018, has recently soft-launched their much-anticipated connectivity and collaboration platform at somos21.org.
In March 2015, five professionals from diverse professions and backgrounds, who all shared a vision to create greater engagement and collaboration between Latin America and Australia, came together and created Somos21 – “The 20 countries of Latin America and Australia – together, Somos21.” Since then, the organization has spread across Australia and Latin America, and Somos21 now has chapters in most key Latin American countries, and principal Australian cities.
SOMOS21 – Connecting Australia and Latin America
To support the online platform, Somos21 has just released the Somos21 application for both iPhone and Android. Somos21’s innovative platform and application are designed to facilitate and promote global networking opportunities for professionals who share a background or interest in Latin American and Australia. The application encourages individuals and companies to connect, engage and collaborate, with functionality tailored to address the needs of key stakeholders in the Australia and Latin America relationship. This COALAR grant is indicative of the group’s growth and success since they began operations.
“Somos21 has always been driven by purpose and impact. The fact that we continue to grow and develop as an entirely volunteer-led and volunteer-run organisation is indicative of the passion, motivation and capability of young professionals across Australia and Latin America to stimulate and drive greater connection and engagement between these two regions to deliver positive personal, professional and social impact” – Kate Bennett, Co-Founder and Director, Somos21.
It comes as no surprise that Somos21 has had such great success in its short history. Commercial, educational, social and cultural ties between Australia and Latin America have been increasing in recent years. For example, Australia has seen a steep increase in the number of Latin American students looking towards Australia as an attractive place to live and study. Additionally, Australian tourism to Latin America and commercial ties continue to grow, and with no signs of slowing down.
Australians and Latin Americans alike are excited to see synergies between the two regions grow and develop, and the launch of this new platform will further these collaborative opportunities.
Somos21 holds regular events to promote connection, growth and opportunity for local community members. These events provide a great platform for networking and allow for the exchange and creation ideas to support the growth of Australian and Latin America relations.
Global market entry and back-office service company, Biz Latin Hub (BLH), is a strong advocate of Australian Latin America synergies. BLH has offices across key Latin American regions and has recently opened an office in Sydney, Australia. BLH, like Somos21, is dedicated to supporting ties and fostering growth between the two regions, and prides itself on facilitating the expansion of Australian companies to the Latin American market, and vice versa.
“We have been following and supporting Somos21 since it began operations and our group continues to be impressed with its growth and development. Latin America and Australia – besides being on polar opposites of the world geographically – are very engaged with one another in a range of ways. Somos21’s dedication to furthering these ties will benefit groups and individuals across the region for years to come” – Craig Dempsey, Co-Founder and CEO, Biz Latin Hub.
Somos21
Contact: Kate Bennett – Co-Founder and Director
Email: kate@somos21.org
Biz Latin Hub
Contact: Craig Dempsey – Co-Founder and CEO
Email: craig@bizlatinhub.com
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