13 December 2006
International Volunteering Day
Every year around the World on 5 December, volunteers and organisations that support and work with them celebrate the United Nations “International Volunteer Day”. This important day recognises the critical role of volunteers in achieving the Millennium Developmental Goals (MDGs) at local, national and international levels.
This year the Australian Agency for International Development would like to acknowledge the work of the four Australian programs it has contracted to provide volunteers to the Solomon Islands and in other countries within the Pacific Region.
The Acting Australian High Commissioner, Heidi Bootle, said that the contribution of these volunteers to the development of the Solomon Islands was significant and that volunteers also gained much from their experiences in-country.
“These volunteers have helped contribute to the development of Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands Government (SIG) and other public and private organisations have gained skills and human resource capacity from these professional individuals”.
The four programs include Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) that assist the development of the private sector and are mature, skilled and experienced professional tradespeople. They work with local organisations and businesses such as Willies Electric, Western Solomon’s Tourism Association, and Raintree Café.
Australian Volunteers International (AVI) and Volunteers for International Development from Australia (VIDA) provide technical support in a range of sectors and are placed on short and long- term assignments. Currently, there are 13 AVI volunteers working as advisors, analysts, trainers, and health workers, while VIDA volunteers are working for World Vision, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development.
Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) program places young Australians between 18- 30 on short- term assignments. AYAD volunteers are also working in various government departments and ministries, church organisations, and NGOs.
Australia would also like to acknowledge the government, NGOs and the local organisations and businesses that have requested volunteers to work with them.
“The benefit of volunteers to development is clear. Australia and the volunteer organisations we support look forward to continuing our role of linking Solomon Islands organisations with Australian volunteers” Ms Bootle said. “The enthusiastic work of these volunteers in Solomon Islands is another example of dedication of the people of Australia to Solomon Islands” she said.
13 December 2006.
Further Information:
Hickson George, Program Officer, AusAID, 21561 ext. 267