MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am delighted the Government has announced a major
new regional aid initiative, the $10 million Australian Youth Ambassadors for
Development Program.
Over the next two years, some 500 young Australian
volunteers from all walks of life will be given an exciting opportunity to
contribute to the development of countries in the Asia-Pacific region. At the
same time, they will enrich their experience and develop skills and contacts
that will stand them, and Australia, in good stead for the rest of their lives.
The resulting strengthened mutual understanding between Australia and the
countries of the Asia Pacific region will be to the benefit of all.
I have long been convinced that Australia's aid
program, and through it the development of the Asia-Pacific region, can benefit
to a much greater degree from the energy, skills and commitment of young
Australians.
A fundamental and unique feature of this initiative
is the direct involvement of the corporate sector. Private companies,
educational institutions, government agencies, professional and trade
associations, business councils and a range of other organisations will be
invited to nominate outstanding young Australians for placement under the
program.
These organisations are well placed to identify skill
gaps in developing countries of the Asia-Pacific region. They will be encouraged
to use their networks to identify placements in government and community
organisations, and in small- to medium-sized local enterprises, for their
nominees.
Corporate and institutional sponsorship will also be
encouraged. I am delighted that Monash University has agreed to be the first
institutional partner of the Youth Ambassadors program. It will provide funding
for a number of volunteer places in association with the Youth Ambassadors
program.
By harnessing the networks and skill base of the
corporate and institutional sectors, the Youth Ambassadors for Development
Program will significantly broaden the base of Australia's overseas volunteer
effort. At the same time, it will strongly complement the community-oriented
Australian Volunteers Abroad scheme and the more specialised Australian
Executive Service Overseas Program.
I am pleased to say that the establishment of this
program represents a 50 per cent increase in the level of Government funding for
overseas volunteer programs. A total of $17 million will be spent on such
programs in 1998-99. This will increase the total number of Australian
volunteers in the field from 500 this year to 750 in 1998-99.
This initiative has been made possible by the
allocation of additional funds to Australia's aid program. No other element of
the aid program has been reduced to accommodate it.
The Youth Ambassadors for Development Program will be
coordinated by a special facility within AusAID, the Australian Government's
overseas aid agency. The facility will be headed by a Program Director with
extensive links to the private, education and community sectors.
Implementing agencies for individual components of
the program will be selected by open tender.
The first round of application packages for
volunteers will be made available through sponsoring organisations in August
1998, with the first batch of volunteers expected to be in the field by January
1999.
Further information on the Youth Ambassadors
for Development Program is available from AusAID's Web site (www.ausaid.gov.au) or by
calling AusAID on 02 6206 4601
Media contacts:
Innes Willox (Minister's Office) 02 6277 7500 / 0411 414 695
Carol Haffke (AusAID) 02 6206 4966 / 0417 683 767