CANBERRA, ACT, 6th May 1998/MediaNet International/AsiaNet/--Australia has announced a new "Youth Ambassadors" initiative that will enhance young Australians understanding of countries in the Asia Pacific. The Youth Ambassadors for Development will send 500 young Australians to work in the region on a voluntary basis for a period of up to one year. Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, said that the initiative presents an exciting opportunity for outstanding young Australians to enrich their experiences and develop skills and contacts that will stand them, and Australia, in good stead for the rest of their lives. "The resulting strengthened mutual understanding between Australians and peoples of the region will be to the benefit of all", he said. Mr Downer said that Australians had derived great benefit from the many young people from the region who had come to Australia to study over many years. "Most of these students returned home to make significant contributions to the development of their own countries and many are now in very senior positions in Government or business," Mr Downer said. "But the benefits are not just one way. These people also took home an understanding of Australia, and have been able to play a very important role in strengthening mutual understanding between Australians and communities of the Asia Pacific region." Mr Downer said that the new Youth Ambassadors program should further strengthen these links and provide young Australians with a very clear sense of the aims and aspirations of countries in the region. This can only enhance already strong bonds with these countries. "This is very important for young Australians growing up amid increasing regionalisation and globalisation," he said. A fundamental and unique feature of this initiative is the direct involvement of the Australian business sector. Private companies, educational institutions, government agencies, business associations and a range of other organisations will be invited to provide additional sponsorship and to nominate outstanding young Australians for placement under the program. Selection of the first group of Youth Ambassadors is expected to begin within a few months with the first placements to occur in early 1999. For further information please contact Chris De Cure, Director, Images OfAustralia Unit, Department Of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Telephone: 61-2-62613746, Fax: 61-2-62612342.