Australian volunteers in Thailand recognised for regional development contribution
The Australian Ambassador to Thailand, Mr James Wise, recently hosted a reception at his residence to recognise the contribution Australian volunteers are making to regional development. Twenty two of the 53 Australian volunteers currently stationed in Thailand under the Australian Volunteers for International Development program (AVID) attended the function.
“The AVID volunteers in Thailand continue a great Australian tradition of volunteering across the developing world. They will not only be supporting the ongoing development of the region, they will also deepen the ties between our countries’ and build long-lasting person to person linkages. On their return to Australia, I hope they encourage more young Australians to visit, volunteer, and work in this dynamic part of the world,” Mr Wise said.
The volunteers are undertaking regionally focused projects in priority development areas including HIV/AIDs, child protection, human migration, social protection, health, disability inclusion, and disaster risk management. They are assigned to various host organisations such as The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), The Asia Foundation, the National Office for Empowerment of People with Disabilities, The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the World Bank.
Alexandra Stott, a volunteer from Melbourne who is working on a HIV/AIDS online data hub at UNICEF Thailand, said the opportunity has enabled her to undertake important work, meet and build a network of like-minded people, learn more about the region, and better understand the need for sustainable development.
AVID is an Australian Government initiative funded through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). The program provides opportunities for skilled Australians to volunteer overseas in Asia, the Pacific, Latin America or the Caribbean in accordance with the development objectives of the Australian Government and relevant partner governments and organisations.
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