MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Billson
The Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Bruce Billson, will represent Australia at the Pacific Parliamentary Forum on 9 December in Suva, Fiji.
'More than 10 Pacific nations will meet to strengthen relations and share ideas that can make a real difference to improving lives and moving development forward in the region,' Mr Billson said.
'The Forum will be hosted by the Australian-based Centre for Democratic Institutions (CDI) and aims to nurture public leadership to better focus and equip elected officials to meet the needs of citizens and aspirations of nations.
'Resolving development, growth and community participation issues is an important challenge for the region and the Forum aims to make real progress towards building better communities,' Mr Billson said.
Mr Billson, as Chair of the CDI, will lead a workshop focusing on the Foundations of Public Leadership.
In Fiji, Mr Billson will also contribute about $43,700 to the local non government organisation FRIEND, to encourage income generation for more than 1500 unemployed women and youths through the use of local resources and traditional skills.
In 2005-06, the Australian Government through our overseas aid agency AusAID, will provide more than $30 million to Fiji in development assistance to help improve health and education services, promote stronger economic growth and strengthen the law and justice sector.
Media contact:
Shane Fairlie (Mr Billson's office) 0408 680 442
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590