The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Brett Mason, acknowledged today–International Volunteer Day–the contribution of current and returned Australian volunteers to Australia's aid program.
'Australian volunteers continue to share their knowledge and skills with communities and organisations in developing countries through the Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program,' Senator Mason said.
'Each volunteer assignment in the AVID program not only improves the way people, communities and organisations meet their development challenges but also helps Australians to better understand other cultures. The people-to-people linkages forged through volunteer assignments are a tangible way of strengthening relationships between Australia and developing countries.
'The contribution of our volunteers often continues back home, whether through the sharing of their experiences with their own communities and prospective volunteers, joining networks which continue to foster linkages with their host countries or continuing to work in the area of aid and development.
'I commend all of Australia's volunteers, past and present, for making a difference and for giving their time and skills in difficult environments so generously and freely.'