Australia-Indonesia Youth to Experience Life in Rural Community in East Java

The Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, today welcomed 18 young Australians to Jakarta for a two-month program aimed at fostering friendship and understanding under the Australia Indonesia Youth Exchange Program (AIYEP).

“Make the most of this opportunity to experience the wonderful Indonesian way of life and hospitality with your Indonesian host families, and to foster friendship and understanding between our two nations,” Ambassador Farmer said.

Participants will be able to forge links with Indonesians through their home-stays and work placements and also through sharing experiences with Indonesian counterparts in Gesang and Burno Villages in Lumajang and in Surabaya.

Ambassador Farmer also welcomed 18 young Indonesians who have returned following a successful two-month stay in Sydney and in the small town of Macksville on the northern New South Wales coast under the same program.

The 18 Indonesians together with their 18 Australian counterparts will organise cultural performances and English teaching. They will also introduce Australian sports to students at four Pondok Pesantren in Lumajang, where the Australia-Indonesia Partnership education program funded the building of four junior secondary schools.

Australia is funding the A$380 million Basic Education Program to help the Indonesian Government achieve its goal of providing nine years of basic education to all Indonesian children.

Established in 1982, AIYEP operates under an agreement between the Indonesian and Australian Governments. The program provides opportunities for the young people of Indonesia and Australia to appreciate the culture and the way of life of each nation. This annual program is sponsored by the Australia-Indonesia Institute and the Indonesian Ministry of Youth and Sport.

Media Enquiries:
Fiona Hoggart (First Secretary, Cultural), Tel. (021) 2550 5260, Hp. 0811 936 302