30 September 2004 - Australian Youth Ambassadors Arrive to Share Skills

Eight young Australians have arrived in Suva, eager to share their professional skills and gain an appreciation of the richness of Fiji's diverse cultures.

They are part of the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) program and will undertake assignments, ranging from three months to a year, with a number of Government departments and Non-Government Organisations.

The eight new arrivals - Patrick Boyd, David Brunoro, Isabel Fox, Kimberly Jonsson, Morgan Martin-Skerm, Felicity Stafford, Desiree Tranquille and Rebecca Young - will work as volunteers in the Law and Justice, Health and Education sectors.

They join twelve other Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development who are already working in Fiji.

The Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program (AYAD) was launched in 1998 by Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Alexander Downer MP, to strengthen mutual understanding between Australia and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region while making a positive contribution to development.

In August 2004, the Prime Minister of Australia Hon. John Howard MP announced that the Australian Government will double expenditure on the program over the next two years, allowing for a significant increase in the number of placements throughout Asia Pacific.

The program places skilled young Australians, aged 18-30, on short-term assignments in developing countries throughout the region.