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AVI celebrates international volunteering milestones in Kiribati

19 July 2011

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Australian Volunteers International (AVI) and a 29 year partnership with communities of Kiribati.

Left: AVI Volunteer Teacher for the Hearing Impaired, Tuli Stacey, is celebrated in dance by her local counterpart, Teta Etau (at a farewell at the Kiribati School for the Disabled), Tuli, 2011

To celebrate AVI will hold a commemorative event on 17 August at the Australian High Commission, recognising the contributions and achievements brought about through volunteering.

Since 1951, AVI has been at the forefront of international volunteering, working with individuals, organisations, governments and communities, in response to locally-identified development priorities.

In 1982 AVI's first volunteer in Kiribati, Hans Rosenboom, spent 12 months as a Curriculum Development Officer at the Tarawa Teachers College. Since then AVI has continued to work with many I'Kiribati educational institutions, in addition to managing over 190 volunteer assignments and projects in governance, health, skills development, environment and infrastructure.

AVI Fiji and Kiribati Country Manager, Leo Buckles, said it was important to celebrate AVI development programs which have played a role in contributing to positive social change.

"This commemorative event is an opportunity to reflect and celebrate 29 years of partnerships in Kiribati. These are true partnerships with local organisations that have created more opportunities for local communities," he said.

"Over 9000 Australians have participated AVI's programs and projects, with up to half of AVI's volunteers working in the Pacific."

"In Kiribati AVI's development programs have helped advance and strengthen educational opportunities, with almost half of all AVI volunteers having worked in the education sector.

"Our strengths lie in the positive partnerships we have with our host organisations and the strong participation and support we receive from the communities and people of Kiribati we work with."

According to Mr Buckles, AVI's Kiribati Program aligns with the Government of Kiribati's Five Year Plan, and the Australia-Kiribati Partnership for Development Agreement, and shares in the collective belief and commitment to improving the lives of the nation's main assets - its people.

The AVI story

On 16 June 1951, Herb Feith, the first official Australian international volunteer, set sail from Port Melbourne, Australia, to start his volunteer placement in Indonesia.

This journey inspired international volunteering around the globe and the creation of the Volunteer Graduate Scheme and Overseas Service Bureau, now known as Australian Volunteers International.

"This spirit of partnership and adventure that motivated those first Australian volunteers continues to inspire AVI's programs today," Mr Buckles said.

Find out more about AVI

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For further information or event details please contact:
Linda Aun (Australian Volunteers International Contractor for Kiribati)
Phone: + 686 21747
Email: kirivid@hotmail.com