MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Thirty years of successful cooperation between non-government aid
organisations and the Australian Government's overseas aid program will be
recognised at a special celebration in Canberra tonight.
For the past 30 years, these organisations have been represented on the
Committee for Development Cooperation, working with the Australian Government's
overseas aid agency, AusAID, to help set policy and deliver a high quality aid
program. Over three decades the government and non-government organisations have
worked together in a committed and professional manner to advance the needs of
developing countries.
The Committee for Development Cooperation has also been instrumental in
helping develop an accreditation system for non-government aid agencies seeking
government funding. Such systems ensure a high level of quality and
accountability in the use of public money.
The aid program faces ongoing challenges in an increasingly complex
international environment. Poverty is a principal cause of many of the world's
most daunting problems, such as the spread of infectious diseases, financial
instability, drug trafficking and environmental threats. These issues are of
particular interest to Australia where they affect the Asia Pacific region and
can only be tackled in cooperation with the countries concerned.
I look forward tonight, along with the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign
Affairs, Chris Gallus, to celebrating the 100th meeting of the Committee for
Development Cooperation, and commend all those involved for their input over the
years.
Senior executives of World Vision, Oxfam Community Aid Abroad, CARE
Australia, Australian Volunteers International, Christian Children's Fund
Australia and the Australian Council for Overseas Aid will be present on the
night.
Media are invited to attend the event at the Canberra Room of the Hyatt Hotel
in Canberra from 18.15.
Contacts:
Chris Kenny (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500 / 0419 206 890
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 / 0412 804 489