Australia celebrating International Volunteer Day in Vietnam

The Australian Government is celebrating International Volunteer Day 5 December with volunteers in the north and south of Vietnam.

In Hanoi the Australian Embassy hosted a volunteer photo exhibition to showcase the contribution of Australian volunteers who are on assignment in Vietnam. The exhibition is open from 4 to 13 December 2013 at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, 36 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem district.

“With the 2013 theme – Young Global Active – this year we celebrate the volunteers, including young people, acting as the agents of change in their communities”, said Mr Phillip Stonehouse, Australian Embassy Hanoi Chargé d’Affaires a.i.

“Australian volunteers play a vital role in fighting poverty. By contributing their time and skills where needed overseas, volunteers make a positive contribution to poverty reduction, sustainable development, building strong people-to-people links and cross-sectoral sharing.”

“This year marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Vietnam. Australian volunteers are such an important part of the relationship between our countries, and I’m very pleased we’re able to celebrate their contributions on this special day”, Mr Stonehouse added.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the Australian Consul-General hosted an informal dinner on 4 December to celebrate the contribution of Australian volunteers working in HCMC under the Australian Government’s international volunteering program.

To date, over 1,000 Australians have worked in a wide range of volunteer assignments in Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973. There are 115 Australian volunteers currently working in Vietnam.

Australian volunteers bring strong qualifications, experience and expertise to support government, non-government organisations, institutions, universities, social enterprises and community development groups. They help Australia achieve its development objectives in Vietnam.

Since the 1960s, the Australian Government has supported over 15,000 Australian citizens to volunteer overseas. Vietnam continues to be one of the top recipients of volunteers through the Australian Government’s Australian Volunteers for International Development program.

For more information on the Australian Government’s volunteer programs, visit: http://www.australianaidvolunteers.gov.au/

Contact: Mr Tran Nam Anh; E-mail: [email protected]; Tel: +84-4-37740211