Young Indonesian Muslim Leaders to seek Friendship, Understanding in Australia

A delegation of young Indonesian Muslim leaders from Lombok, East Kalimantan, Yogyakarta and Jakarta depart for Australia on Sunday on a bilateral exchange program aimed at strengthening understanding and links among faith leaders of both countries.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer said he hoped the visit would contribute to a better understanding in Indonesia about multiculturalism in Australian society and the role of Islam in Australia.

“Islam in Australia is a dynamic, evolving story with a rich history, and one of which our country can be extremely proud,” the Ambassador said.

“Australia’s 400,000 Muslims, made up of over 70 different ethnic backgrounds – including Indonesia - have made an enormous contribution to the success of contemporary, diverse Australia.”

The program aims to provide opportunities for emerging leaders in the Indonesian Muslim community to engage their counterparts in Australia on a range of important issues affecting people in both countries.

Strengthening such people-to-people links was one of the goals of the recent successful conference, Australia and Indonesia: Partners in a New Era, held in Sydney in February.

This is the first of three delegations from Indonesia scheduled to visit Australia under the Young Muslim Leaders Exchange Program between March-June 2000.

In May 2009, five young Muslim leaders from Australia will make a reciprocal visit to Indonesia to learn firsthand about Indonesia’s diverse, democratic and tolerant society and to meet community, education and religious leaders, academics, government officials and media representatives.

The Australia-Indonesia Exchange Program for Young Muslim Leaders was established by the Australian Government through the Australia-Indonesia Institute in 2002.

Over the past two decades, the Institute has fulfilled a unique and vital role in fostering friendship and understanding between Australia and Indonesia through projects in the arts, music, education, youth, civil society, interfaith, media and sport.

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