Australia-Indonesia Youth to Experience Life in Rural Community in Wakatobi

Australian and Indonesian participants in the Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program (AIYEP) will commence this week the Indonesian component of their exchange program which will provide the opportunity to live and work in communities in Kendari and Wakatobi in South-East Sulawesi province.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty warmly welcomed the participants to Indonesia and was encouraged by their enthusiasm to embrace the experience and further understand the cultures of one another.

“This exciting and very successful exchange program will help develop longstanding and enduring relationships between our two countries. Over 870 Australian and Indonesian youth have already participated in the program since its launch in 1982. Close cooperation at this level is just one of the practical ways in which Australia and Indonesia are working together, as close neighbours and partners should,” Mr Moriarty said.

During their time in Wangi-Wangi, one of the island chains making up Wakatobi, the participants will be invited to live with host families in two villages, Patuno and Waelumo. They will also work with local village communities to develop and implement a community development project. This project aims to further promote marine tourism potential in Wangi-Wangi and address local needs. The District Head of Wakatobi, Ir Hugua, is an alumni of the 1986-87 AIYEP program.

Indonesian participants have just concluded the Australian part of the program which involved a two-month home stay and work placement program in Brisbane and Roma in Queensland.

AIYEP is an annual program promoting people-to-people links between Australians and Indonesians and is managed by the Australia-Indonesia Institute and the Indonesian Ministry of Youth and Sport.

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