The ASEAN Founder Medal (AFM)
The ASEAN Founder Medal (AFM) is a Class 2 distinction established by ASEAN Ltd (the Australian South East Asian Network). The Medal is designed to recognise and elevate dedicated advocates and emerging young leaders who demonstrate a profound commitment to Australian values through positive influence and distinguished service.
Unlike the AFA (ASEAN Founder Award), the Medal is reserved exclusively for individual recipients.
ASEAN Founder Medal (AFM) is a constitutionally recognized honor designed to embed a culture of advocacy across the community. Following its formal launch at Parliament House on 28 November 2025, the Medal is now a permanent constitutional fixture, awarded to:
▪︎ Network Advocates (Community-level impact)
▪︎ Tertiary Students (Academic and youth leadership)
▪︎ Eminent Leaders (Distinguished service and influence)
Photo: The Board in consultation with key institutions regarding the ASEAN Founder Medal. Featured is a discussion with University of Sydney Chancellor David Thodey AO, who serves as the Network’s Honorary Co-Patron, and Kirsten Andrews, Vice-President (External Engagement) for support of the Award program.
Photo: ASEAN advocate, Andrea Nevill AFA was awarded with AFM, Parliament House NSW, in the presence of Minister Hon. Jihad Dib MP and Tri Vo MP, during the unveiling of ASEAN's initiatives, 14 October 2025.
Honouring Advocacy: Members of the Lao community receive the ASEAN Founder Medal (AFM) at Parliament House. This landmark event on 28 November 2024 brought together diverse voices, including Dr Patricia Jenkings and Khmer Krom advocates from Melbourne and Sydney, to celebrate shared values of human rights and community leadership.
Photo: Members of the Indonesian community, led by then Senior Ambassador Churlya Wurfel, Parliament Hose Canberra, 28 November 2024
Photo: Members of Parliament with the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG, Professor Fleur Johns, Dean of School of Law, University of Sydney with Sawathey Ek, at Parliament House NSW, 14 October 2025.
The ASEAN Ltd honors—including the Michael Kirby ASEAN (MKA) Award and the ASEAN Founder Medal—recognise the distinguished advocacy of eminent leaders within the broader community. When conferred upon Eminent Leaders and Heads of NGOs, these honors celebrate a lifetime of dedicated service or a significant institutional contribution to the advancement of values enshrined in the Network's Constitution.
Photo: Recipients of AFM during ASEAN Summit 2025, including Craig Foster AM, Major Walter Robinson OAM (Rted) and Dr Patricia Jenkings .
Photo: Rox Molavin AFA AFM, a recipient of both the ASEAN Founder Award and Medal, with the Youth Ambassador Dylan Ek, Director Jane Li, and Ambassador Mon Zin during a ministerial consultation with the Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP, on Cambodia, in November 2025.