3 November 2008
Young Australians Support Development in Laos
Since 1998 the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) program, an AusAID funded volunteer scheme, has been sending skilled and motivated young Australians on assignments to the Lao PDR. Through these assignments, young Australia volunteers strive to build capacity and provide support to key development organizations in Laos.
On 13 October, twelve new volunteers arrived in Laos as part of Intake 23, bringing the number of AYADs mobilised over the past 10 years to over 150.
At a welcome reception the Australian Ambassador to the Lao PDR, Dr Michele Forster, expressed her support for Australia’s ongoing, strong relationship with Laos and encouraged the volunteers to take every opportunity to work hard, interact with local people and experience Lao culture.
During their orientation, the AYADs also met with government officials (pictured) from the Department of International Co-operation (DIC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Khouthong Sommala from DIC said he was pleased to be associated with the AYAD Program and is grateful for the contribution Australian volunteers have made to the development of the Lao PDR.
AYADs currently work in Laos in a number of key development fields. Tristan Skinner and Gabriella Tauni will be working with the Water Resources and Environment Agency (WREA) in Vientiane helping build the capacity of government staff and working towards developing a vital national water policy.
Jacob Cawthorne, from Sydney, will spend 12 months working with officials from the National Economic Research Institute (NERI) gathering data and training research staff. Jacob hopes that as well as sharing the expertise he has gained from working in China and the region he will also learn more about the economic challenges that Laos is facing.
Heading to a one-year assignment in Champassack with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Erin Parham is most looking forward to spending extended periods in remote rural areas where she will be working with provincial government officials to develop forestry and land management plans.
For more information on the AYAD Program and Australian volunteers please contact AusAID.
Media contacts: Ms. Jenny Redden
Operations Manager
AusAID, Australian Embassy
Vientiane
Tel: 353800 Ext. 143