MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I have today launched a new scheme which aims to place young Australian
graduates in Thailand on twelve month placements. The scheme is designed to
promote personal, business and community links between Thailand and Australia as
well as contributing to Thailand's urban and rural development.
The volunteers will assist in areas such as rural development through
English, environment and technical training, and also in the business sector. It
is hoped that in the future the program will offer opportunities for young Thais
in Australia.
The scheme, known as the Thailand/Australia Youth Ambassadors Program, was
launched today at the Australian Thailand Ministerial Economic Commission,
currently underway in Canberra.>
The Youth Ambassadors will be a symbol of Australia's commitment to building
closer people to people links with Thailand.
The Australian Government, through AusAID, will contribute $500 000 seed
money towards the start up of the scheme. After this initial funding, the future
of the scheme will be dependent on contributions from Australian and Thai
businesses.
I am keen to encourage the Australian private sector to support and
contribute to the work of developmental NGOs. The Thailand/Australia Youth
Ambassadors Program is an important step in this direction as its future will be
dependent on support from the Australian and Thai business sector. I encourage
Australian businesses to support and contribute to the scheme.
The Melbourne-based Overseas Service Bureau, which administers the Australian
Volunteers Abroad program, will implement the scheme in close consultation with
Thai organisations.
The program is expected to start in the first half of 1997.
Media contact: Peter Collins (Mr Downer's Office) 06 277
7500/0411 414 695 Andrea McLaughlin (AusAID) 06 206 4966