Speech by Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia
Mr Bill Farmer AO
15 August 2007
Speech for the Launch of LAPIS Programs in East Java
Professor Doctor Arief Furqon, Expert Staff, Department of Religious Affairs, Republic of Indonesia
Ladies and Gentlemen
I feel greatly honoured to be here today at the launch of these three new projects
As neighbours, we want to live together in a region that is prosperous, friendly and peaceful.
For us, but also for our children.
Including the children who attend Indonesia’s 40,000 Madrasah.
Therefore, Australia supports an Indonesia that is united, prosperous and democratic.
We provide practical support for Indonesia through an annual aid budget of 3.4 trillion rupiah.
Much of this assistance is for education.
This includes funding for the construction and renovation of about 2000 schools - of which around five hundred are Madrasah.
Through this program, Australian aid will create at least 330,000 new junior secondary school places for children from poor and remote areas.
Madrasah play an important role in providing education access for children in some of the poorest households.
Australian aid - through our 234 billion rupiah LAPIS project - will also help ensure that Madrasah offer a good standard of general education.
This will enable students to further their education or enter the workforce.
The three new LAPIS programs we are launching today will help strengthen english language expertise and training for teachers in Islamic schools
Including through new quality degree programs for Madrasah teachers, as required by the National Education Law
The new projects will also help ensure equity for boys and girls in basic education, so that female students enjoy the same opportunities.
As your neighbour, we engage with Indonesia in all its rich diversity, including its Muslim community.
Our support for Islamic education is part of that engagement, and also a clear sign of our respect and appreciation for Indonesia’s diversity.
Australia also is a country rich in diversity, including a significant Muslim community.
Almost one quarter of Australians are born overseas
For Australia, as for Indonesia, valuing diversity is a foundation of our nationhood.
As two neighbours which value diversity, we have a good basis for the future.
And launching these three new projects together reflects this optimism and friendship.
And with this, let me wish our project partners, their teachers and students, every success.
And…if there is anything I have said which has not found favour, I apologise.