RI- Australia Signed MoU Legitimising Youth Exchange Program

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Indonesian Deputy of Youth Empowerment from the Sporting Ministry, Yuni Poerwanti and Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr. Paul Grigson signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the arrangement of Australia- Indonesia Youth Exchange Program (AIYEP) earlier this afternoon at 01.47 pm inside the grand meeting room of Sporting Ministry 3^rd floor building.

“This is a very important event for both Indonesia and Australia as it is an important extension of previous MoUs. Youth program is popular in both countries and such exchange program has contributed to the strengthening of people to people relations as well as communities of both nations. I am very happy to support the program,” Ambassador Grigson stated in his opening remark following the signing of MoU with the Indonesian Deputy, Monday (28/9/2015).

Indonesian Youth Empowerment Deputy, Yuni Poerwanti was next to deliver the Indonesian Sporting Ministry, Imam Nahwari’s message as he was unable to attend the diplomatic session that was held with Australia.

“We have been conducting Australia- Indonesia Youth Program on a regular basis since its inception in 1981. It was mutually agreed by both Indonesia and Australia on June 14 1968 that with the two nations sharing a relatively long history of relationship and situated geographically in close proximity to one another, Indonesia and Australia ought to learn from one another especially with such vast differences in terms of its cultural background,” Yuni explained shortly after Mr. Grigson provided his remarks.

This year, 36 competent youth in the field of sports from both countries with each dispatching as many as 18 participants, will be given the extraordinary experience of engaging themselves in a series of sporting event outside of their country.

Indonesia will be sending the best youth in sporting with the age range from 16- 30 from 18 provinces to Australia. They will be headed for Canberra where they will stay for a month and continue their journey to other areas where diving, fishing and seafood servings are highly popular.

As for Australian exchange youth group, 18 individuals with the age range between 21-25 years old will be directed to Sambas area in Pontianak. This specific area has been chosen as the most appropriate location to facilitate their sporting events and such decision was made based on the premise concerning all the potentialities of borderline regions.

Pre-departure training will take place from 1- 12 October 2015 which will be followed by the Australia Phase on the 12 until 9 December 2015. Indonesian Phase starts on the 9^th of December and will end on the 10^th of February 2016. Post Program Activity Implementation (PPA) will occur 3 days following end of Indonesian phase with it commencing on the 15^th of February and end on 15 May 2016.

The paradigm of such protracted event is very much constructed to fulfill the promising visions of outcome and impact looking activities which will spur knowledge gain at the global level and encourage contributive gesture of the subsequent generation. Many of the annual exchange program alumni have made their way up to governmental position in their country.

Initially, such MoU was designed to expire within the period of 5 years, but it has been significantly reduced to 3 years.

“It is easier for us to review for a shorter period of MoU. 5 years is such a long time and therefore many have to be reviewed. 3 years will make it easier for both countries to conduct examination on the program,” Ambassador Grigson further explained.

The signing of MoU ended with both countries representatives exchanging souvenirs with one another as a sign of appreciation and assurance of the two nations commitment. (Akp/Ein)