Volunteer program
| Volunteer program estimate | $26.5 million |
Volunteers foster Australian community involvement in the aid program, providing opportunities for Australians to help reduce poverty through skills transfer and institutional strengthening. Within the Australian community, volunteers are also able to share their experience and knowledge of other countries when they return home. This has enriched Australian society and strengthened links between Australia and its neighbours.
The successful Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program will be expanded in 2005–06 by $3.5 million, in accordance with the Prime Minister’s commitment to expand the program by $24.5 million over four years.
A competitive tender process for volunteers is underway. The process aims to ensure value-for-money and greater development effectiveness of the volunteer program. It is expected that new contracts will be in place by the beginning of the 2005–06 financial year, with minimal interruption to volunteer mobilisation.
Expanded Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program
The Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program was launched in 1998 by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, to strengthen mutual understanding between Australia and the countries of the Asia–Pacific and make a positive contribution to development. The program places skilled young Australians, aged 18 to 30, on short‑term assignments of three to 12 months’ duration in developing countries throughout the Asia–Pacific region.
Youth Ambassadors work with Australian organisations and their overseas counterparts in a broad range of areas that include health, environment, rural development, gender, governance, justice, education and infrastructure development. Youth Ambassadors use their skills and expertise to actively contribute to international development. They gain an increased understanding of the development needs of our neighbouring countries and broaden their experience by living and working in a cross-cultural environment.
In August 2004, the Prime Minister announced a funding increase of $24.5 million to the Youth Ambassadors for Development Program over the next four years. With this new funding, the number of placements will be increased from the current level of 230 to around 400 by 2006.
Over 1,000 Australians have become Youth Ambassadors since the program started in 1998.