What is AYAD?
The Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) Program aims to strengthen mutual understanding between Australia and the countries of Asia, the Pacific and Africa and make a positive contribution to development.
The Program achieves these aims by placing 400 skilled young Australians (18-30) on short-term assignments in developing countries in these regions every year. AYAD volunteers work with local counterparts in Host Organisations to achieve sustainable development outcomes through capacity building, skills transfer and institutional strengthening.
AYAD assignments cover a diverse range of sectors including Education, Environment, Gender, Governance, Health, Infrastructure, Rural Development and Trades.
The AYAD Program is the youth stream of Australian Volunteers for International Development, an Australian Government, AusAID initiative that deploys skilled volunteers to live and work in developing countries as part of the overseas aid program.
Anna Weekes - Trainer in Drama Art, Cambodia
A Brief History
The AYAD Program was launched on the 28th of August 1998. The goal of the AYAD Program is to strengthen mutual understanding between Australia and the countries of Asia, the Pacific and Africa and make a positive contribution to development. The Program does this through four main objectives:
1. To provide opportunities for young Australians to contribute to Australia's overseas aid program and to gain personal and professional experience in developing countries.
2. To build the capacity of individuals, organisations and communities in partner countries through sharing skills and knowledge.
3. To foster linkages and partnerships between organisations and communities in Australia and those in developing countries.
4. To raise public awareness of development issues and the Australian aid program in the Australian community.
The AYAD Program was piloted for two years until 2000 when, buoyed by the success and achievements of the Program in providing outstanding opportunities for young Australians and positive contributions to development in Asia, the Pacific and Africa, it was decided to continue and expand upon the AYAD Program as an integral part of the Australian Government's overseas aid program.
The AYAD Program was put out to tender and Austraining International was the successful tenderer. Since that time Austraining International has successfully retendered for the AYAD Program (in 2006) and continues to manage the AYAD Program on behalf of AusAID.
The AYAD Program has worked in 21 different countries throughout its history and continues to respond to emerging needs and priorities of the Australian aid program and partner countries.