Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program, 40th Anniversary Reception, Government House

[E&OE]

This is Ngunnawal Country. Today we are all meeting together on this Ngunnawal Country. We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Elders.

Good afternoon.

Before I begin my remarks about the Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program I would like to acknowledge that tomorrow Australia will commemorate the anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombings.

A total of 202 people, including 88 Australians and 38 Indonesians, were killed after bombs were detonated outside the Sari Club and Paddy's Bar in Bali on 12 October 2002.

It will be a difficult day for many in Australia and Indonesia, and of course around the world, and our thoughts are with the survivors and the families and loved ones of those killed.

Linda and I will join victims’ families, survivors and first responders, and dignitaries, at a memorial service at Parliament House tomorrow morning.

Namun, hari ini, kami dengan senang hati menyambut Anda di rumah dinas kami untuk acara perayaan.

Today, though, we are delighted to welcome you to Government House for what is a celebratory occasion.

The Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program is one of the great international education and development programs.

AIYEP is now 40 years strong — and still going strong.

Close to 1,300 youth from Australia and Indonesia have participated in the program over the four decades.

Itu adalah sesuatu untuk dirayakan.

This is something to celebrate.

I acknowledge the foresight of the Australian and Indonesian governments to establish a program to strengthen the ties between our countries and I thank all alumni for their commitment, energy and enthusiasm which has resulted in the program being so appealing to future participants.

As many in the audience know, I have a strong interest in Indonesia and supporting understanding and opportunity between our two countries.

I am delighted to be continuing this work as Patron of the Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program.

Indonesia is one of Australia’s most important bilateral relationships.

We have shared interests in the security, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.

We partner extensively in almost every sector — the economy, security, counterterrorism, trade, development and, of course, education.

As neighbours in a dynamic region, we embrace opportunities together and we work together to face common challenges.

We remain deeply grateful for Indonesia’s assistance in responding to Australia’s 2019-20 Black Sumer fires, including by sending more than 30 military engineers to contribute to Operation Bushfire Assist. We also helped each other greatly during the battle with COVID-19.

In the hour of need for both countries we have helped each other. That is a sign of a true friendship.

One aspect of the Australia-Indonesia relationship where we can always do better is to promote greater understanding between the peoples of our two countries.

Exchange programs such as the Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program are a very good way of doing this.

The Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program has been a source of friendship between our two countries for four decades now.

AIYEP continues to provide links for youth in Australia and Indonesia through social, professional and cultural exchange.

It is an opportunity for participants to engage with each other, AIYEP Alumni and key people in both countries. This includes academics, business leaders, community experts and diplomatic officials.

Amidst all the excitement surrounding AIYEP's 40th anniversary celebrations there is also another instalment of the program about to commence.

Regretably but necessarily this year’s program will be conducted virtually. We look forward to better circumstances in hopefully the next round.

I am sure participants will emerge from the program with new friendships and new insights, and a determination to continue to deepen connections between Australia and Indonesia.

Sekali lagi, selamat kepada semua orang yang terlibat dalam Program Pertukaran Pemuda Australia-Indonesia.
Keberhasilan luar biasa dari program ini adalah penghargaan bagi Anda, orang-orangnya.
Rakyat kitalah yang menjadi inti dari hubungan Australia-Indonesia yang erat dan bertahan lama.

Again, congratulations to everyone involved in the Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program.

The program’s tremendous success is a credit to you, its people.

It is our peoples who are at the core of the close and enduring Australia-Indonesia relationship.

Selamat

[Ends]