MEDIA RELEASE

Released By:
Downer

The Australian Government will provide $24.5 million over four years
for the expansion of the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD)
programme. This increases the total funding for the AYAD programme to
$52.5 million over the four years.

Launched in 1998, the AYAD programme places young Australians (aged 18 to
30) on short-term assignments of three to twelve months in developing countries
throughout the Asia-Pacific region, to carry out a range of development
activities.

With the expansion of the programme, the number of young Australians
selected for overseas deployment assignments will be increased from 230 to
around 400 by 2006.

Media inquiries:

Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's office) 0419 206 890

AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590