The Australian Davos Connection (ADC) Forum has awarded Rwandan Zabulon Ndizeye, with the prestigious Australian Leadership Award for 2013. Ndizeye, who was awarded alongside other ‘exceptional new talents’, was recognised for his outstanding work in promoting multiculturalism in Australia.The 29-year-old, who is the founder and the vice-chairperson of the Rwandan Diaspora of Queensland Inc. received his award during the ADC Future Summit at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne in Australia, last week,. ADC Forum  is a non-profit leadership organisation which brings together leaders from business, government, the public sector, academia and wider community to improve their understanding of key issues affecting Australia.Every year, ADC Forum recognises young leaders for their work across a spectrum of Australian life, ranging from economy, culture environment to their demonstrated vision for Australia’s future.Speaking to The New Times from Australia, yesterday, Ndizeye said he was extremely excited about winning the award.He credited it to his multiculturalism community work in Queensland, especially his leadership role in bringing together Rwandans living in Australia."I am privileged to have been awarded for the work I do. I really thank ADC Forum for recognising my vision, leadership and contribution to the society’s needs, especially in my field,” he said.Meeting Premier GillardNdizeye said he was honoured to meet some of Australia’s current leaders, including Prime Minister Julia Gillard, at ADC event where he received the prize.He said together with Rwanda High Commission in Australia and other partners, they have managed to hold get together events to unite Rwandan Diaspora in Australia culturally and socially.ADC Forum conducts the annual Future Summit to provide collaborative framework for Australia’s established and emerging leaders to share ideas, exchange views and create defined outcomes to improve Australia’s future.The future Summit Leadership Awards recognises and supports the next generation of Australian leaders.

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Who is Zabulon Ndizeye?Zabulon Ndizeye is an officer in the Commonwealth of Australia’s Department of Human Services. He works with culturally and linguistically diverse communities, across government agencies and NGOs to enhance services for individuals in their first months of settlement in Australia.He is a founder and the vice-chairperson of the Rwandan Diaspora of Queensland Inc. He has both Rwandan and Australian citizenship.Ndizeye has previously worked for a leading Australian ICT company to improve access to international markets.He is passionate about harnessing cross-cultural engagement and competencies to create synergies and resilient networks that generate greater social and economic participation.Ndizeye, who speaks four languages and regularly brokers suitable solutions on behalf of individuals and new and emergent communities, has lived and studied in Rwanda, Cameroon and Zambia before migrating to Australia more than 10 years ago.Ndizeye holds a Bachelor of Business - Economics from Queensland University of Technology, a Diploma in Business Information Systems from the University of New England and is currently pursuing further studies in Intellectual Property Management.