Now Open: Applications for Australia-Indonesia Muslim Exchange Program 2009

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer announced today applications are open for the Australia-Indonesia Exchange Program for Young Muslim Leaders in 2009.

“This is an excellent program for young Muslims in Indonesia and Australia to promote interfaith understanding and harmony in support of the robust traditions of diversity our nations share,” Ambassador Farmer said.

The Ambassador encouraged high-calibre young Muslim leaders to embrace this opportunity to be international ambassadors for Indonesian Islam by applying for the prestigious bilateral interfaith program.

Now approaching its seventh year and a highly regarded model for fostering inter-faith dialogue, the program aims to build links between Muslim communities in Australia and Indonesia.

As part of the independent and rigorous selection process, candidates are interviewed by a panel consisting of Professor Virginia Hooker (Australian National University), Professor Merle Ricklefs, Mr Phillip Knight (University of Melbourne) and Mr Rowan Gould from the Islamic Council of Victoria.

The Australia-Indonesia Exchange Program for Young Muslim Leaders is funded by the Australian Government through the Australia-Indonesia Institute.

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, Australian Studies, media and sport.
Paramadina University has acted as valued partner and Indonesian coordinator of the program since its inception.

Information about the program and application process is available at www.indonesia.embassy.gov.au and www.paramadina.ac.id.

The application deadline is Friday, 9 January 2009 by 4pm.

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