Australia commits to Commonwealth Youth Programme

02 Sep 2015 Media release

The Minister for Education and Training, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, has announced funding of over $650,000 from Australia’s aid programme to help the Commonwealth Youth Programme continue its work over the next year.

Mr Pyne made the announcement today in an address to the Commonwealth Pacific Region Youth Ministers’ meeting in Samoa.

“The Commonwealth Youth Programme has been working with Commonwealth countries to improve outcomes for young people for over 40 years,” Minister Pyne said.

“Australia is pleased to provide this funding commitment knowing the support will have practical and positive results for young people right across the South Pacific. For example, it will support the effective participation of young women and men in development initiatives and through expansion of the Commonwealth Youth Networks.

“It also means young people of the Pacific will be able to participate in discussions about emerging policies, programmes and projects that impact their lives.

“Part of improving education outcomes for young people is preparing them for an increasingly internationalised and mobile workplace, where your place of birth does not necessarily dictate where you will live or work.

“For example, the Australian Government’s flagship mobility programme, the New Colombo Plan, is encouraging young Australians to take up opportunities to immerse themselves in the cultures, languages, and societies in the many countries across the Pacific,” Mr Pyne said.

“Through the Australia Awards programme, the Australian Government is offering the next generation of global and Pacific leaders an opportunity to undertake study, research and professional development in Australia’s world class universities or technical institutions.

“Young people who study or train abroad not only gain knowledge in specific disciplines in a different cultural context, they also strengthen key skills which are highly valued by employers, drive change, and contribute to the development outcomes of their own country,” he said.

Mr Pyne continues his education tour with meetings and events in Samoa and New Caledonia over the next two days.