Young Indonesians to Experience Life and Work in Australian State of Queensland

Indonesian participants in the Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program (AIYEP) will today commence the Australian leg of their exchange program which will provide the opportunity to live and work in the northern Australian state of Queensland.

The group was farewelled at a reception at the Australian Embassy yesterday. Australia’s Chargé d'Affaires Paul Robilliard said he “was encouraged by their enthusiasm to embrace the experience and further understand Australian culture and way of life”.

“This exciting and highly successful exchange program focusing on our youth will develop longstanding and enduring relationships between our two countries. Close cooperation at this level is one of the practical ways in which Australia and Indonesia are working together, as close neighbours and partners should,” said Robilliard.

During their time in Queensland the participants will be involved in a two-month home stay and work placement program in Brisbane and Roma, a farming community well known for its wheat and wool production. It will be the fifth time AIYEP has been hosted in Queensland.

Indonesian participants will then meet their Australian counterparts in Queensland before returning to Indonesia together and undertaking a similar program in the Indonesian district of Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi from December 2010 to February 2011. During this time they will assist with local community development projects.

Established in 1982, AIYEP is an annual program promoting people-to-people links and providing young people from Indonesia and Australia the opportunity to better understand and appreciate the cultural diversity and way of life of the other country. The program is managed by the Australia-Indonesia Institute and the Indonesian Ministry of Youth and Sport Affairs. More information on the program is available at: http://www.dfat.gov.au/aii/scholarship_program/youth_exchange_program.htm

Media Enquiries:
Sanchi Davis, Cultural Attaché tel. (021) 2550 5260 mob. 0811 936 302