Celebrating International Volunteer Day in Papua New Guinea
For International Volunteer Day, the Australian High Commission celebrated volunteers of all nations in Papua New Guinea and their contribution to the country’s development.
The morning tea celebration also marked the 50th anniversary of Australian volunteers in PNG. In 1964, eight Australians were welcomed in Morobe, Madang, Milne Bay, East New Britain and Oro provinces and Port Moresby for two year teaching assignments at local schools.
Volunteers from Australia, New Zealand and Japan and their host organisations in PNG gathered at the Australian High Commission today for the morning tea.
Counsellor at the Australian High Commission, Mr Rob Brink, said the event recognised the extraordinary contribution of international volunteers to PNG’s development.
“You have made a commitment to helping the development of others through the provision of your times, skills and capabilities. It is this spirit of volunteering that is a key to building a strong society,” Mr Brink said.
“Your assignments are helping to build skills and expertise in humanitarian operations, in government, in schools and universities, in training facilities, the private sector, international organisations and local NGOs.”
Australian volunteers are an important and long-standing part of the Australian Government’s aid program which helps to drive change and build enduring people-to-people links with Australia. Each year, Australian volunteers spend anywhere between a few weeks to more than a year to undertake assignments in PNG host organisations.
In 2013-14, there were 72 Australian volunteers on assignment across PNG. Their assignments at the community level included the areas of health, governance, human rights and tourism. Their achievements include:
- helping the Bougainville Women’s Federation to develop a gender policy and to implement a micro-enterprise project for women
- improving the delivery of emergency medicine at Modilon Hospital by enabling Australian volunteers to provide emergency medicine trainers to health workers
- assisting with the implementation of the National Disability Policy in the New Guinea Islands region, giving a voice and future to some of the most vulnerable people in PNG.
Globally, the Australian Government supported more than 2000 volunteers in 43 countries to contribute to development objectives. They undertook assignments in more than 1300 host organisations through the Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) initiative.
Australian Volunteers International, Scope Global and the Australian Red Cross work in partnership to deliver AVID.