Date post: | 10-Mar-2016 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | austraining-international |
View: | 219 times |
Download: | 2 times |
FEATURE STORY
A HEALTHIER FUTURE FOR BANGLADESH.PAGE 4
Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development ( AYAD ) Quarterly Magazine
Welcometothefirsteditionofournew
quarterlyExchangeMagazine.
It’sbeenabusyyearfortheAYAD
Teamandaswerollupoursleeves
forthesecondhalfoftheyearit’s
importanttotakeamoment
torecognisetheexcellentworkbeing
donebyourAYADs,theirHost
OrganisationsandourAustralian
PartnerOrganisations.
Exchangeisoneofthewaysthatwewillshareourstoriesand
experienceswithyou.Iamcontinuallyamazedbytheincredible
achievementsanddiversityofexperiencethattheAYADsbring.
Thisfirstvolumeisburstingattheseamswiththeachievementsofour
talentedAYADsincludinggreatstoriesfromacrosstheAsiaPacific
region.
ThecommonthemeforthiseditionofExchangeistheimportanceof
relationshipbuildingandgoodcommunicationinmakingeachAYAD
assignmentasuccess.Allourstakeholdershaveclearlydemonstrated
thatbybuildingstrongpartnerships,bothattheindividualand
organisationallevel,weareabletoachievenotonlytheoverall
objectivesoftheProgramandtheHostOrganisationbutarealsoable
toachievesuccessfulandsustainabledevelopmentoutcomes.
AustralianPartnerOrganisationsareanintegralpartoftheAYAD
Programandwe’reworkingcloselywiththemtohelpbuildstronger
networksbetweenAustraliaandourpartnercountries.TheAYAD
Programrecognisesthatdevelopmentdoesnotbeginandend
witheachAYADplacementandsoweareencouragingAPOs,
RAYADs(returnedAYADs)andHostOrganisationstocontinuethose
partnershipsandrelationshipsbeyondeachassignment.Togetherwe
canbuildasustainablefutureforourregion.
ThisJulytheAYADProgramwillbepresentingourinauguralAYAD
ForuminSydney.We’reparticularlypleasedtowelcomeourkeynote
speaker,MrAbdullahSalehMbambawhoistheUnitedNations
RepresentativeforAustralia,NewZealandandtheSouthPacific.
MrMbambawillbespeakingabouttheMillenniumDevelopment
Goalsandwe’relookingforwardtohearingmorefromhimonthe
challengesandsuccessesbeingencounteredinourregionaswe
strivetoreachthosegoals.
TheAYADForumwillbeagreatnightandafantasticopportunity
forourRAYADsandAustralianPartnerOrganisationstomeeteach
otheranddiscussallthedynamicworkbeingdonebothinAustralia
andourpartnercountries.Welookforwardtofosteringmoresuch
opportunitiesastheyearprogresses.
I’dliketoinviteyoutojoinmeincelebratingthediversityandbreadth
ofourAYADvolunteerassignmentsandhowskillsdevelopmentand
exchangeleadsnotonlytosustainabledevelopmentinourregionbut
alsotoourincreasedunderstandingofourinternationalneighbours.I
hopeyouenjoythesearticlesasmuchasIdo.
PleasejoinmeinsendingourbestwishestoalloftheAYADs,Host
OrganisationsandAustralianPartnerOrganisations.
Ray Ash
AYAD Project Director
RayAsh
AYADProjectDirector
TheAustralianYouthAmbassadorsforDevelopment(AYAD)Program
aimstostrengthenmutualunderstandingbetweenAustraliaandthe
countriesoftheAsiaPacificregionandmakeapositivecontribution
todevelopment.TheProgramachievestheseaimsbyplacingskilled
youngAustralians(18-30)onshort-termassignmentsindeveloping
countriesintheAsiaPacificregion.AYADvolunteersworkwith
localcounterpartsinHostOrganisationstoachievesustainable
developmentoutcomesthroughcapacitybuilding,skillsexchangeand
institutionalstrengthening.
TheAYADProgramprovidessupporttoAYADsincludinglivingand
accommodationallowances,flights,pre-departuretraining,in-country
management,insurance,medicalsanddebriefonreturn.
TheAYADProgramisanAustralianGovernment,AusAIDinitiativeand
isfullyfundedbytheAustralianGovernment’soverseasaidagency,
AusAID.AYADismanagedbyAustrainingInternational,aSouth
Australianinternationalprojectmanagementcompany.
PAge 4A HEALTHIER FUTURE FOR BANGLADESH
Exchange July-September
Editor ErinGreen
Sub Editor LedaKalleske
Design: DannyConnery
AgencyOfNewDesign.com
Contributors:
RayAsh
LarraineBusch
SebastianFowler
CatherineGearing
SamanthaGrover
AnyaLam
ErinLaw
DavidLipson
JoannaMcErvale
JenniferPickering
AmberRowe
SimonStratford
Photo credits:
CoverPhoto-DeanSaffron
AHealthierFutureforBangladesh–DeanSaffron
Yaksandothersmallscreenheroes–SebastianFowler
CoconutCrabs-JenniferPickering
FantasticPlastic–AmberRowe
MarineResourceStewardshipinBali–JoshuaEstey
PandamoniuminChina–SimonStratford
GoingforGoldandPawpaws–LarraineBusch
PartneringinTibet–SamanthaGrover
ExchangeMagazinewelcomessubmissionsfrom
AYADsandalumni(RAYADs),HostOrganisationsand
AustralianPartnerOrganisations.Pleasecontactthe
AYADMarketingManager,ErinGreenatinfo@ayad.
com.auforfurtherinformation.
Exchangeisprintedonrecycledpaper.
Yaks and Other Small Screen Heroes
Coconut Crab Taskforce
Fantastic Plastic
Marine Resource Stewardship In Bali
Panda-monium in China
Going For Gold & Pawpaws
Partnering In Tibet
Development Internship, Joanna McErvale & Oxfam
Australian Partner Organisations
AYAD Calendar
A HeALTHIER FUTURE FOR BANGLADESH.
Childmortalityisamajorissuefordeveloping
countrieswherechildrenoftendieofeasily
preventablediseasessuchasdiarrhoea,
pneumonia,malnutritionandmeasles.In
Bangladeshthemortalityrateforchildrenunderfive
is7.7%or77deathsperevery1000livebirths(UN
2006).ThisisindirectcontrasttoAustraliawhose
mortalityrateforchildrenunderfiveis0.6%(or6
deathsperevery1000livebirths).
Theburdenofchildmortalityisprimarilyheldby
thepoor,withthepoorest20%ofthepopulation
havinganunder-fivechildmortalityratealmost
doublethatoftherichest20%.Thepoorareless
likelytohaveaccesstoqualityandaffordablecare
andareoftenlackingknowledgeaboutpreventing
andtreatingchildhoodillness.
ErinLawhasbeenvolunteeringasanAustralian
YouthAmbassadorforDevelopmentintheChild
HealthUnitatICDDR,BsinceOctober2006.
Specifically,theprojectErinisengagedwith
addresseshighunder-fivechildmortalityratesin
BangladeshthroughtheIntegratedManagementof
ChildhoodIllness(IMCI)strategy.
IMCIisabroadstrategydesignedbytheWorld
HealthOrganization(WHO)andUNICEFtoreduce
childhoodmortalityandmorbidityandtocontribute
toimprovedgrowthanddevelopmentofchildren
underfiveyearsofage.
Thestrategyconsistsofthreecomponentsadapted
tothecountry’sspecifichealthsystemneedsand
environment.Thefirstcomponentfocuseson
improvementsinthecasemanagementskillsof
healthserviceprovidersthrougheducationand
training.
Thesecondcomponentofthestrategyisto
improvethehealthsystembystrengtheninglocal
anddistrictlevelhealthplanningandmanagement.
Thisensurestheavailabilityofessentialdrugs,
logisticsandothersuppliesaswellasproviding
qualityandsupportivesupervisionforlocalhealth
officialsandimprovingthereferralandhealth
informationsystem.
Thefinalcomponentistoensureimprovementsin
familyandcommunitypracticethrougheducation
andaccesstoinformation.
In1998,theGovernmentofBangladeshadopted
IMCIasakeychildhealthstrategytoreduce
childmortalityandtoimprovechildhealthand
development.TheWorldHealthOrganisation
hadalsochosenBangladeshasoneofthefive
countriestoassesstheeffectiveness,costand
impactofIMCI.
5ICDDR,B,theInternationalCentreforDiarrhoeal
DiseaseResearch,Bangladesh-betterknown
locallyastheCholeraHospital-isaninternational
healthresearchinstitutionlocatedinDhaka,the
capitalofBangladesh.Themissionofthecentre
istodevelopandpromoterealisticsolutionstothe
majorhealth,populationandnutritionproblems
facingthepoorpeopleofBangladesh.
ICDDR,Bhasearneditsreputationasacentre
ofexcellenceintheworldforitsscientific
achievementsindiarrhoealdiseases,nutrition,
infectiousdiseases,populationprogrammesand
childsurvivalstrategies.
Toseethestrategyinpracticeyouneedlookno
furtherthanMatlabthana,aruralsub-districtof
Bangladesh,hometosome350,000people.
ThepopulationistypicalofBangladesh’srural
populationswithpooraccesstoqualityhealth
servicesandlackofeducationabouthowto
preventdisease.TheroleoftheIMCIteamisnot
onlytoimplementthegenericIMCIstrategyin
Matlabbutalsotoadaptandaddtothestrategyin
awaythatsuitsthecommunities’needs.
TheIMCIteamhasdevelopedinnovativewaysto
reachthecommunity,providingmessagesabout
properchildcareandencouragingmothersand
care-takerstoseekcarefortheirsickchildrenat
thenewlyimprovedgovernmenthealthfacilities.
Communitytheatreusinglocalactorsisusedto
providemessagesaboutcareduringpregnancy
andchildbirth.TheIMCIteamhavealsometwith
communityleadersincludinglocalmembersof
parliament,teachersandreligiousleaderstogain
supportforthestrategyanditsinitiativesand
workedwithlocalImams(Muslimreligiousleaders)
todeliverhealthmessagesduringFridaysermons.
“Thekeyistocommunicateideasclearlyinaway
thatisrecognisableandeasytounderstand”,says
Erin,“usingcommunitytheatreisanentertaining
waytogettheinformationacrossandmakessure
thatthemessageisaccessibletothosewithout
formaleducationandinvolvingcommunityleaders
ensuresthatthereiscommunityownershipofthe
project.”
TheIMCIteamrecognisedthatpeopleinthe
communitywereoftenusingvillagedoctors(local
untrainedhealthpractitioners)forprimaryhealth
care.Thesedoctorswerewidelyaccessiblewithin
communitiesbuthadbeenshowntoengagein
harmfulandsometimeslife-threateningpractices.
Aspartoftheefforttoimprovequalityofhealth
careandaccessibilitytohealthservicestheIMCI
teamtrainedvillagedoctorsencouragingthemto
stopharmfulpracticesandreferchildrenwhowere
severelyilltotheIMCIhealthfacilities.
Toimprovehealthcareaccessibilityanewcadre
ofhealthprofessionalwasintroduced,theVillage
HealthWorker.VillageHealthWorkersarefemale
membersofthecommunitytrainedtoprovide
basiccurativeandpreventativecaretounder-five
childreninthecommunityinwhichtheylive.They
conductdoortodoorvisitsmonitoringthehealth
ofchildrenunder-fiveandpregnantmothersaswell
asprovidingcounsellingonhealthycaringpractices
tomothersandcare-takers.TheVillageHealth
Workershavebeenoneofthemostsuccessful
interventionsinthecommunityandareexpectedto
haveamajorimpactinreducingchildmortality.
OneVillageHealthWorker,Fatema,tellshow
sherecentlydiagnosedalittleboy,18month
oldShohan,withseverepneumoniaand
malnourishment.Fatema,whoisamemberof
Shohan’scommunity,knewhehadlittlechanceif
hisnutritionstatusdidnotimprove.Relyingonher
trainingfromtheIMCIteam,Fatemafirstworked
withShohan’smothertotrainherinbetternutrition
andbasichealthcareforhersonandwhenhis
healthdidnotimproveshewasabletoreferhim
tothelocalgovernmenthealthfacilitywhereIMCI
trainedparamedicscouldassesshimandfindhim
aplaceinthelocaldistricthospital(ahospitalalso
runbyICDDR,B).WithoutFatema’sattentionto
detailsandtheexcellentreferrallinkagesthathave
beensetupbytheIMCIteamitisunlikelythat
Shohanwouldstillbealivetoday.
“We’rehearingsomanygoodnewsstoriesfrom
thevillagesabouthoweffectiveournewlytrained
VillageHealthWorkersare.Becausetheyare
workingwithmothersandchildrenwithintheirown
communitytheyareabletoensurebettercareand
improvedunderstandingofchildhealthissues.”
ErinworkswithhercounterpartsintheIMCIteam
toexaminewhatkindofimpacttheseinterventions
arehavingandhowtheycanbeimproved.Working
withtheIMCIteam,Erinhasbeenamazedtosee
thehugeimpactofsimpleandeffectivelyplanned
interventionsthatworkwithcommunitieson
childhealth.CurrentlycompletingherMastersin
InternationalHealth,Erinishappytoseeresearch
putintoaction.
“I’malwaysreadingstudiesshowingthatwhen
youworkwithcommunitiesyoucanhaveahuge
impactontheirhealth.NowIcanseeonthe
groundlevelhowthisresearchisbeingputinto
actionandwitnessfirsthandhowresearchcan
impactpeople’slives”.
Erinisalwayshappytogetoutofthebustling
streetsofDhakaandgoandvisittheprojectsitein
Matlab,“It’sfantastictogooutintovillagesandsee
smilingandhealthychildrenandknowthatinsome
smallwaysomethingyouareworkingonmayhave
contributedtothat.”
DaveLipsonandSebFowler’sadventuresinnational
broadcastinginMongolia.
Likealotofprojectsindevelopingcountries,producinganEnglishlanguageTVshowandwebsiteforMongolianyouthischallengeridden,chaoticandintheend,amaddashforthefinish.
SoitwasforDaveandSeb,afterbeingconfronted
withthetaskofcomingupwithahalfhourweeklyTV
showandinternetsitewithinaweek,withnocamera,
nostudio,nofunding,noguestsandnosolidconcept.
SigningthecontractwithMNB,theMongolian
NationalBroadcaster,cameassomewhatofashock.
CatherineGearing,aformerAYAD,conceivedthe
Englishlanguageprojectwhichwouldteach,inform
andentertainanewgenerationofMongolians.With
50percentofthepopulationunder20yearsoldand
livingintheleastdenselypopulatedcountryinthe
world,ayouthTVandinternetprojectseemedlike
thewaytoreachthosewishingtolearnEnglish.With
Englishbecomingmoreandmoreimportantasatool
inMongoliantrade,tourismandeconomy,offering
accesstoqualityEnglishlanguageeducationisan
increasingpriority.
Catherine’sroleintheprojectinvolvedlayingtheground
workfortheshowthroughresearchandrelationship
buildingwithotheryouthorganisationsinMongolia.
“Atthetimethereweresomefrustrations,thinking‘is
thisevergoingtogetofftheground?’Youspenda
yeartryingtogetitstartedthensomeonesays‘yes,
it’sgoingtohappen’andyou’vegotaweektofilm,
editanditbereadytogotoair”saidCatherine,“Dave
andSebhavebeenabletotaketheconceptandrun
withit.”
TheAYADProgramworkedwiththeEnglishforSpecial
PurposesFoundation(ESPFoundation)inMongoliaon
astrategicpartnershipwhichenabled3differentAYADs
toworkwiththemoveratwoyearperiodondifferent
aspectsoftheproject.WithCatherinesettingthe
scene,DaveandSebwereabletocomeinandtake
theprojecttothenextlevel.
“Atfirstwewerebaffledbytheapproachtoproducing
TVinMongolia”saidDave,“UnlikeAustralia,where
stationsbuyprogramsandrecouptheircoststhrough
sellingadvertisingspace,practicallyallMongolian
commercialstationsdemandpaymenttoputashow
ontheair.”
Moneycanbereclaimedthroughadvertisingbutthe
producershavetofindthesponsorsandadvertisers
themselves.Forthisreasonmoststationsareclosely
associatedwithpoliticalparties,whoprovideprograms
andpaymentinreturnfortheopportunitytopromote
theirpolicyplatform.
YAKS & OTHER SMALL SCREEN HEROeS.
Intheend,DaveandSebdecidedtoworkwithMNB,
asitisthemostwatchedstationinthecountryside
wheretheneedfordistanceeducationisgreater
becauseoftheirremotenessandlackofaccessto
goodteachingmaterials.
Unfortunately,MNBwereaskingfordonationsof
equipmentthatDaveandSebandtheircolleaguesat
theESPFoundationdidn’thaveandcouldn’tafford.
Contractswentbackandforthforsixlongmonths.
“Theprojectseemeddoomed”saidSeb,“then,outof
theblue,aweekfromChristmas,wegottoworkand
therewasthesignedcontract.Thebestpartwasthey
wantedashowbyBoxingDay!”
Thusbegantheinsanitythatcontinuedforseveral
months.DaveandSebborrowedacamerafrom
alocaluniversityandhadnochoicebuttofilmthe
firstepisodeoutsidebecausethesetwasyettobe
designed.
Withonlyonedaytofilm,themarathonshootincluded
scenesatChingghisKhanInternationalAirport,Zaisun
Memorial,SukhbaatarSquare,theStateDepartment
store,acaféandahairdresser.Toaddpressuretothe
mix,theteenageguest,amake-upartist,pulledout
atthelastminutebecauseshehad,ofallthings,a
pimple.
Withtapesinhand,DaveenteredtheMNBeditsuites
at5pmonChristmasEve,toemergeblearyeyed
intominus15degreeweatherat7.30onChristmas
morning,withthefinishedepisodereadytoairthe
followingday.TheMongolNationalbuilding,amassive
Sovietera,crumbling,concretebehemoth,witha
mazeofendlesscorridorsandnondescriptdoorways,
wasabizarreplacetospendChristmas.
“ThankfullytherewasabriefhiatusforMongolianNew
Yearprogramming,whichgaveustimetofigureout
theformat,havethesetbuiltandplanthenextfew
shows”saidDave.
Theydecidedonatopicbasedshowhostedby
Bolor,afunkyMongolianwomanwithabackground
inEnglishteachingandDave,asthenativeEnglish
speaker.Theshow,calledVoiceBox,features
interviews,conversations,games,badjokesand
thepopularsegment,“StreetKaraoke”,inwhich
Mongoliansarerandomlyrecordedinthestreetsinging
linesofpopularEnglishsongs(karaokeishugein
Mongoliasomostpeoplehaveagoodrepertoireup
theirsleeve).
Alotofcompaniesandorganisationsshowedinterest
intheprojectandofferedsupportbuttwoinparticular
reallysteppedup.RioTintoandKhanBankprovided
essentialfundingforequipment,thesetandotherstart
upcostsandABCAustraliaNetworkalsosupported
theprogrambyprovidingtheir‘LivingEnglish’series
toincorporateintoVoiceBox.Thishasgivenyoung
peopleinMongoliathechancetoimprovetheirEnglish
throughthedramaseriesbutalsolearnmoreabout
Australiacultureandwayofliving.
“IthasbeenfantastichavingABCAustraliaNetwork’s
support.YoungMongolian’sarereallyfascinated
bytheotherculturesaroundtheworldandthrough
theirsupportwe’vebeenabletoshowthemhow
AustraliansliveandteachsomeusefulEnglishskills.”
TheNewYearbreakalsogaveSebtimetogetthe
VoiceBoxwebsiteupandrunningandmovedtothe
newMongolianbasedweb-hosting.Thewebsitewas
designedtocorrespondwiththeTVprogramand
providelessonsandteachingresourcesthatwould
helpteachersandstudents.Itincludesthescripts
fromtheshow,songlyrics,lessons,somelistening
exercisesandotherlearningresources.
Sebalsogotaforumupandrunningtogiveyoung
Mongoliansthechancetosuggestguestsandtopics
fortheshow.Theforumisnowgainingmomentum
andconnectingwithstudentsandteachersallover
Mongolia(Darkhan,Overhangai,SouthGobiandeven
oneintheUSA).Thefeedbackispositiveandifnothing
else,thewebsiteisgivingstudentsgoodpracticewith
writtenEnglish.Recently,DaveandSebalsoenlisted
thehelpofacoupleofUSPeaceCorpsvolunteers,to
helpwiththeteachingresourcesonthesite.
DaveandSebandtheESPteamarestillfacingregular
hurdles,likeoverzealoussecurityguardswhorefuseto
admitthehostsandguestsintotheMNBbuilding,but
fourmonthsafterthatfirstmanicweekofproduction,
thingsarerunningmuchmoresmoothly.
Evenfindingguestshasbecomeeasier.
“Sofarwe’vehadablindFulbrightScholarship
recipient,amonk,aradiojock,anarcher,a
contortionist,arapper,aconcertviolinistandeven
MissMongolia.Morerecentlywe’vefeaturedanactor
(whoonceplayedChingghisKhan),anarchaeologist
andaspecialonyaks!”
Oncecompleted,DVDsofthe40weekserieswill
beproducedanddistributedtoschoolsandlibraries
aroundthecountry.Withplanstoexpandtheproject
toincludeaVoiceBoxnewspapercolumnandradio
show,themaddashcontinues.
Checkouthttp://www.voiceboxtv.org
9
InVanuatu,itseemskastomdictatesmorethan
justhumanculture.Onmissiontoputahaltto
diminishinglevelsofcoconutcrabsintheSanma
ProvinceinVanuatu,AYADJenniferPickering
realisedthatevenenvironmentalscienceisbound
bycustom.
Sometimesknownasthe‘palmthief’,thecoconut
crab(Birgus latro)issostrongitcancrackcoconut
shellswithitsbarepincers.Astheworld’slargest
crustacean,you’dthinkitwouldbehardtomiss.
HoweverasJenniferhasdiscoveredduringher
AYADassignmentworkingwiththeWanTok
EnvironmentCentreonOperationSaveCoconut
Crab2006-2007,itspopulationinVanuatuis
atdangerouslylowlevelsandseriousactionis
neededtomakesurethiscrustaceankingdoesn’t
disappearcompletely.
TheWanTokEnvironmentCentre,alocalNGOin
Vanuatu,enlistedJennifer’shelpin2007toassist
withacommunity-basedconservationinitiativeto
bancoconutcrabharvesting.Havingsuccessfully
lobbiedforathree-yearbanintheSanmaProvince
in2004,thetaskforcewasconsciousoftheban’s
The coconut crab taskforce
Buttherewaspositivenewsforthetaskforcetoo.“Conservationsitesthatwesampledshowedhigh
numbersandlargersizedcoconutcrabs”,Jenniferreported.“Thisisanexcitingdevelopmentforus,and
provesthatthebanwillhaveeffectovertime”.
Thetaskforcecollectedthefindings,alongwithawarenessmaterialsonthebiologyandecologyofcoconut
crabs,whichJenniferdevelopedinBislama(thenationallanguageofVanuatu).Thiswaspresentedtorural
communities,theCouncilofChiefs,restaurantownersandgovernmentagencies.“Giventheimportance
ofcustominVanuatu,involvingthechiefsandcommunitieswasvital.Byinvolvingcommunitiesinthe
decisionmakingprocess,themanagementofthisspeciescanbeadoptedatagrassrootslevel.Wehope
thattheownersoftheresource-theruralvillagecommunities-willcontinuetomonitorcoconutcrab
populationswithintheProvince,providingapositiveconservationoutcomeandsustainablemanagementof
animportantresource.”
ForthepeopleofVanuatu,traditionalcustomisnotjustamatterofritualsandceremonies;itisawayoflife
whichgovernsbehaviourandprovidesinterpretationsforwhatoccurs.Customisinvolvedineverymajor
eventinlifeandensuresthatlawandorderismaintained.Kastom,itseems,isanimportantelementfor
eventhemostscientific-mindedwhenitcomestoallthingsVanuatu.
ThisphilosophymeansthatcustomandtheenvironmentareofteninseparableinVanuatuculture,Jennifer
explains.“Duringarecentfieldstudyinthrivingcoconutcrabterritoryourteamwasconfusedtofindthatwe
onlycollectedaverysmallnumberofcrabs.Thelandownerhadrecentlypassedawayandourfieldofficer
hadnotpaidhisrespects.Vanuatucustomsaysthattheareacouldnotshowusitstruelifebecausehis
spirithadnotbeenreleasedfromtheland.Thefieldofficerdidn’tcomewithusonthesecondround,andwe
recordedmorethandoublethenumberofcrabs.Intheend,weallagreedthatitcamedowntokastom”.
expiryinMarch2007.Jennifer’sfundingapplication
totheDepartmentofEnvironmentandHeritage’s
RegionalNaturalHeritageProgrammehasensured
thecontinuationofthetaskforce’sveryimportant
work.
Aspartofthe“OperationSevemKrabKokonas
2006-2007”taskforce,Jenniferhasassisted
theinitiationofcoconutcrabpopulationsurveys,
communityconsultation,amonitoringworkshop
andpublicawarenessactivitiestoassesshow
effectivethebanhasbeeninimprovingcoconut
crabnumbersandeducatethecommunityabout
thisimportantspecies.
Thetaskforcediscoveredfrompreliminarysurvey
resultsthatdespitesmallpopulationincreases
duringthethree-yearbanseason,coconutcrab
populationsremainedlowandtheaveragesizeof
crabsrecordedatmostsitesareunderthelegal
sizelimitforharvesting(9cm).Jenniferexplainsthat
thisislikelytobeduetotheveryslowgrowthrate
ofthecoconutcrabwhichcantakeuptotwelve
yearstoreachthelegalsizelimit,aswellaspoor
monitoringandenforcementoftheban.
Extensionofthebanoncoconutcrabharvesting
hasalreadyreceivedoverwhelmingsupportfrom
communitiesandstakeholdersintheSanma
Province.Thetaskforceispreparingafullreport
ontheresultsofscientificsurveysandcommunity
consultationtogototheMinisterofAgriculture,
FisheriesandForestry,whowillultimatelydecide
whethertoextendtheban.
Regardlessoftheoutcome,thetaskforcewillholda
workshoplaterthisyeartotraincommunity-based
monitorsandenforcementofficers.Withsupport
fromcommunitiesandgovernment,Jenniferis
confidentthatasustainablefutureforcoconut
crabpopulationsinVanuatuisimminent-andthat
customwillstillreigntrue.
Coconut crabs and Jennifer out in the field with her local counterparts,
collecting data on the coconut crab population of Vanuatu.
“HowcanIintegrateintomyprofessionalpracticewhatIlearntandtheinspirationIfeltwhilstontheAYADprogram”
ThisisthequestionReturnedAYADAmberRoweaskedherself
afterreturning,in2005,froma12monthassignmentasResearch&
DevelopmentOfficerwithCEAEinManilathePhilippines.Theanswer
wasTrashBags,anethicalandenvironmentalsmallbusinessthatimports
bagsandhomewaresmadeoutofrecycledmaterialsbycommunityand
livelihoodorganizationsfromaroundtheworld.
“WhenIgotbacktoAustralia,Iwasatabitofalossastowhattodo
next.Iwasonlysureofonething-Iwantedtocontinueworkingwiththe
communitiesIhadcomeincontactwithonmyplacement.”
TrashBagswastheanswertoheruncertainty.Itintegratedherdesireto
continuetobepartofthedevelopmentofeconomicallydisadvantaged
communitiesandherinterestinenvironmentalsustainability.The
businessisbasedonthetriplebottomlinephilosophy.Thisbeingthat
business’sshouldmeasurethemselvesequallyacrossthreeindicatorsof
success;economicperformance,environmentalsustainabilityandsocial
responsibility.
FANTASTIC PLASTIC.
“ThisphilosophyisintegraltoTrashBagsoperationsandwhyIstartedit
inthefirstplace.Weareveryhappytoreportthatthisyearwesentback
nearly50%ofourturnovertoourtradingpartners.”
Thebusinessstartedwithtworangesofproducts;PaperTrailand
Rejuiced.BothrangeswerefromlivelihoodprojectsAmbermetduringher
placementinthePhilippines.
PaperTrailisauniquecollectionofbagsandhomewareshandwoven
fromrecyclednewspaperandtelephonedirectoriesbythecommunity
livinginandaroundtheinfamousSmokeyMountaindumpsiteinManilain
thePhilippines.
SmokeyMountainisahugedumpsiteontheshoresofManilaBay–
covering40hectares,risingupto10storeyshighandwithconstantly
burningpocketsofdecayinggarbage.Itishometothousandsofpeople
whohadnoothermeanstofeedtheirfamiliesthanscavengingthe
dumpsite.
In1983,FatherBen,aFilipinocatholicpriest,beganworkingwiththe
communitytoimprovetheirlivesandlivingconditions.Togetherthey
createdtheSmokeyMountainLivelihoodCenter,acommunityrun
organisationmakingbagsandhomewaresfromrecyclednewspaper
andtelephonedirectories.TheLivelihoodCenterisacooperativewhich
notonlyhelpsfundcommunityeducationcoursesandmicro-financing
programsbutisalsowhollyownedandrunbycommunitymembers.
“It’srewardingworkingwithcommunitydrivenorganizationsandgiving
themanoutletforlocallyinspiredanswerstolocalissues.”
TrashBag’sRejuicedrangeisalsomadeinthePhilippines.Awomen’s
cooperativeemploysfiftyfamiliesinthecollection,cleaningandsewingof
‘doypacks’(ortetrapacksastheyareknowninAustralia)tobecleaned
andsewnbycommunitymembersintoavarietyofcolourfulandpractical
products.
TrashBagshassinceexpandedtoincludethreefurtherranges;Fantastic
Plastic,bagsmadefromheatfusedplasticbagsbyanon-profit
organizationinDelhiIndia;Cut-Offs,carpetsandrugsmadefromhand-
hookedt-shirtcut-offsbyawomen’scollectiveontheThai-Cambodia
borderandSacks,bagsandwalletsmadefromrecycledricesacksby
survivorsofland-mineandpolioinCambodia.Alongwiththeexpansionof
TrashBagsandtheirabilitytobuymoreproductstheprojectsthemselves
havealsoexpandedandbeenabletoprovidealivelihoodtomorepeople
intheircommunities.
“TrashBagsisthelargestcustomeroftwoofourtradingpartnersanditis
gratifyingtoknowthatwhenwegrowsodothey!”
Eachproductcomeswithinformationonwhereitisfromandwhoitwas
madeby.ItisanimportantpartoftheTrashBagsphilosophytobepartof
theeducationprocessofconsumersaboutthelifecycleoftheproductthey
buy.Toshowhoweachproducthasanaffectontheworlditwascreated
in.AmberhopespeoplewhobuyTrashBagsproductswillstarttothink
aboutalltheproductstheybuyinthesameway.Whereisitmade,how
manyresourceswereusedinitsproduction,wasthepersonwhomadeit
fairlypaid,whataretheircircumstancesandlivingconditions?
Left Image Fantastic Plastic-thewomenwashingandsortingtherecycledplasticshoppingbagsbeforelayingthemoutandheatfusingthemtogether
Middle Image Cut-Off -DitchinPoiPetCambodiawherethefactoryusedtodumpthet-shirtcut-offswhichtheynowgivetothewomen’scooperativethatmakethemats
Right Image Paper Trail-Apictureofsmokymountainwherethecommunitylivewhomakethebags.
AmberhasonlyjuststartedherjourneywithTrashBags.Sheislearning
andimprovingwitheachnewproblemandsuccess.HerAYADplacement
notonlygavehertheinspirationtostartthejourneybutmostimportantly
theinvaluablecontactwithsmalllivelihoodandcommunityorganizations
thatwouldotherwisehavebeenimpossibletofind.
AmbercontinuestomaintainherlinkswiththeAYADprogramandisan
activememberoftheAYADAlumni.ShecompletedanAYADdevelopment
internshipandwastheNewSouthWalesStateRepresentativeforthe
AYADprogramin2006-7.SheisalsohopingTrashBagswillbecome
anAustralianPartnerOrganizationinthenearfutureandsendother
youngAustraliansoverseastoworkwithTrashBagstradingpartnersand
experiencetheprofessionalandpersonaldevelopmentthatisintegral
totheAYADexperience.AsAmberstates:“Itwas,inallhonesty,alife
changingexperienceandoneofthebestofmylife”.
3
MARINE RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP IN BALI
FormostAustralians,theword“Bali”conjuresup
imagesofacheapholidayamongsttropicalflowers,
worldclasswavesandtoutsselling“Rolex”watches
onKutaBeach.ButbeyondthericepaddiesofUbud,
theconcealingglossoftourismdissipatestoreveal
therealityofeverydaylifeinthefishingvillagesofthe
Bulelelengdistrict,NorthBali.
Here,exploitingcoastalresourcesprovidespeople
withameagreentrancetothecasheconomy.The
troubleis,theneedinessofpastgenerationsdrovethe
useofdestructivefishingandminingpracticesalong
thecoast,leavingtoday’spopulationwithdamaged
coralreefs,decliningfishharvestsandareceding,
erodingcoastline.Worseningconditionsareprompting
communitiestoseekwaystorepairandprotectthe
ecosystemsthatsupporttheirlivelihoods.
AYADAnyaLamisanecologistworkingwithReef
CheckFoundationIndonesia.ReefCheckconducts
trainingworkshopsinthesevillages,providingpeople
withtheknowledge,techniquesandskillstoimprove
coastalmanagementatavillagelevel.Anyahasbeen
workingalongsideReefCheck’sIndonesianstaff,
sharingherknowledgeinMarineProtectedArea
managementwithBalinesevillagers.
ReefCheck’smainprojectisworkingincollaboration
withtwoothernon-governmentorganisationsto
improvethesustainabilityofthemarineaquarium
trade.Sincethelate1970s,aquariumfishershave
beenusingcyanidetocollectfish.Thecyanideis
squirtedintothenooksandcranniesofcoralreefs,
anddazedfishemergeforcapture.Butthecoral
iskilledtoo,andwithit,thecapacityofthereefto
supportthefishthatprovidesuchanimportantincome
forfishers.Thehealthofthecollectorsthemselves,
divingusingcompressorsamongstthepoison,isalso
compromised.
Thetrainingisamixoftheoryandpractice.Trainees
learntorecogniselivinganddeadcoralandrecord
observationsonthehealthoftheirreefsbydoingcoral
healthsurveys.ThevillagersandtheReefCheckteam
taketothewaterinatraditionaloutriggerwhichtows
atrainerandtraineeusingmaskandsnorkel.Anyahas
trainedseverallocalfishermen.
“Thevillagersareatfirstdauntedaboutmaking
percentageestimatesoflivinganddeadcoralcover.
Butafteracoupleofturns,itallmakessense.Adapting
tothesnorkelgearcanalsobedifficult-sometimes
theparticipantputsthesnorkelonbackwardsand
can’tbreatheproperly,whichalwaysgetabiglaugh
fromtheirmatesontheboat,”saysAnya.
Theparticipantsareeagertolearnaboutthebiology
oftheirreefsandhowtoprotectthem,butconcerns
abouthowmanagementchangeswillimpactupon
theirlivelihoodsarehighontheagenda.
Cross-culturalcommunicationhasbeenattheheartof
Anya’sworkbothinthevillagesandatReefCheck.
“Inthevillages,thestructuredapproachtoworkthat
IuseinAustraliagetsmenowhere.Instead,Iam
learningamorefluidstylethatfollowsthenatural
progressionofvillagers’discussions.InBali,wehave
tofocusonpolitenessandgoodrelationshipsrather
thanbeingoutcome-driven.That’ssometimeshardto
balance,becausewehavetoproducetangibleresults
toreporttoourdonorsandpartnerorganisations,”
saidAnya.
TheprojecthasattractedfundingfromtheInternational
FinanceCorporation-adonorwhichrequiresa
specificstandardinresultsdeliveryandreporting.To
helpReefCheckmeettheseexpectations,Anyahas
beenassistinglocalstafftoimprovetheircapacityin
projectplanning,publicationplanning,reportwriting
anddatabasemanagement.
“Myexperienceherehasshownmethatwritingstyles
areshapedbyculture.Whatsoundsgoodinanofficial
Indonesianlanguagedocumentisnotnecessarily
appropriatewhentranslatedintoEnglish.Sopartofmy
workhasbeenanexchangeofknowledgeonwhatis
appropriateandwhatisnotineachlanguage.”
AnabilitytocommunicateinBahasaIndonesiahas
beenfundamentaltoAnya’sworkandithascertainly
madehermoreaccessibleforlocalcommunity
members.
“Queriesarejustasoftenpersonalasprofessionally-
related.Thestandardresponsetomyunmarriedstatus
is,‘howaboutmarryingaBalinese!’”saysAnya.
Afterninemonths,AnyaispreparingtoleaveBaliand
returnhometoAustralia.
“AdaptingtolifeinBalihasrequiredsomechangesin
outlookthatwillbehardformetomaintaininAustralia,
andit’sgoingtobepainfulsayinggoodbyetofriends,
andaculturefilledwithincense,flowersandalaissez
fairewayoflookingattheworld.I’lltakebackto
Australiawithmeanewperspectiveofconservation
inadifferentculturalandeconomiccontextandI
thinkthatthroughworkingalongsideReefCheck
staff,Ihaveleftthemwithaclearerperspectiveofthe
projectexpectationsofwesterndonorsandpartner
organisations,whichshouldhelptheminthefuture.”
“TheReefCheckteamisabletoconveythatachangetowardssustainablemanagementistheonlywaythatlivelihoodscanbemaintainedinthelonger-term.Theresultisinspiring-seeingthevillagers’enthusiasmtoreclaimstewardshipoftheirmarineenvironment”.
5
ChangqingNationalNatureReserve,oneofthemost
importantofecologicalareasinChina,isalsohometo
oneofChina’sfournationaltreasures;thegiantpanda.
ForAYADSimonStratford,itsoonbecameclearthat
hissustainableecotourismprojecttosavethepeaceful
giantwouldnotbeblackandwhite.
SimonlivesandworksinChina’sremoteChangqing
NationalNatureReserve.Whereexactly?
“Inthemiddleofnowhere,really”,Simonjokes.“In
thebeautifulQinlingMountains,ShaanxiProvince,
incentralChina.”Inotherwords,oneofthelast
remainingplaceswherethegiantpandacanbefound
inthewild.
Asanecotourismprojectassistant,Simon’srole
istoprovideadviceonthereserve’sdevelopment
ofasustainableecotourismprogram.Making
recommendationsonsuitablewalkingtrailsand
campsites,initiatinginterpretivesignageand
developingacomprehensivetourguidemanualof
Changqingwaspartoftheeveryday.“It’sallabout
sustainabletourism,”hesaid.“I’vebeenworkingto
communicatethattourismwilldestroynaturalareas
unlesstheseimpactsarecontrolled.Thisway,the
damagecanbemitigated.”
ThepreservationofChangqing’sprecioushabitat
isimportantonmorethanonelevel.TheNature
Reserve’sworkisparamounttothesurvivalofthe
giantpanda,oneofChina’sandtheworld’siconic
conservationspecieswhichislistedasafirstcategory
protectedspeciesbytheChinesegovernment.
Aftersevenweeksworkingwithhiscolleaguesto
assessproposedhikingtrails,developChangqing’s
websiteandstrengthenthereserve’srelationships
withtourcompanies,outdoorgroupsandindividuals,
SimonassistedtheBBCinaweeklongpandatracking
programduringtheirfilmingofthenew‘WildChina’
seriesforreleasebeforetheBeijingOlympicsin2008.
Thefirstthreedaysoffilmingproducedfootageof
twogiantpandaswhichatonepoint,Simonexplains,
camewithinfivemetresofthecrew.Howeveronthe
fourthdayoffilming,anintimateexperiencegavenew
meaningtothetermawe-smacked.“Ispentwhatmust
havebeenthreehoursinclosequarterswithagiant
panda,”Simonexplained.“Thepandaclearlyhada
personalitywhichwasstrengthenedbyitslargehead,
itsdistinctivecolouringandthewayitcasuallymoved
throughtheimpossiblethicketsofbamboo.Thiswas
oneofthegreatestwildlifemomentsofmylife.”
PANDA-MONIUM IN CHINA
AccordingtoSimon,filmingthreepandasinfourdays
isaprettyimpressivetally,keepinginmindthatthe
missionrequiredcrouching,crawlingandcommando
rollingthoughsnowandbamboostiltsatthebestof
times.Butinhismind,thehardworkspenttracking
China’snationaltreasurewasworthitsweightingold.
“Allofusatonetimeoranothersimplystaredatthe
pandawithlooksofdisbeliefandthemostgenuinely
happysmilespossible,”saidSimon.“Foramoment
IwasinanotherplaceasIwatchedthepandatear
downbamboo,twirlitarounditsfacetogetridofthe
snowandthenmunchtheleaves.Iturnedtooneof
theBBCguysandsaid,‘thisisridiculous!’Itwasthe
onlywaytoexpressmydisbeliefoftheexperiencewe
werehaving.”
Theexperiencedidn’tonlymakeitsmarkonSimon.
GiventhattheBBCcrewhadfilmedwildlifeacross
theglobefromAfricatoPatagoniatoIndia,Simon
explainedhowfortunatehefelttohavebeenpartofan
experiencetheyalsodescribedasahighlightintheir
careers.“Whenwearrivedbackatthebase,wewere
allblownawaybywhatwe’djustexperienced,”Simon
recalled.“Igotoutofthetruckandhi-fivedeveryone.
Thewholeteamhadputinsuchagreateffortand
wewererewardedwithanintimatemeetingwithone
ofthemostelusivecreaturesthatwandersthisgreat
earth.”
InSimon’sopinion,hisencounterinChangqingin
nowaytypifiestheAYADexperience.Heexplains
thatthechallengesfacedbyAYADsaresubject
tounpredictablevariationandhebelieveseach
experienceisunique.
Onhisexperience,Simonfeelshestruckgold.“Iam
foreverindebttothestaffatChangqingNational
NatureReserve”,hesaid,“Ifeelincrediblyluckyto
havebeenselectedaspartoftheAYADprogramto
workinsuchawonderfullybeautifulpartoftheworld.”
“Igotoutofthetruckandhi-fivedeveryone.Thewholeteamhadputinsuchagreateffortandwewererewardedwithanintimatemeetingwithoneofthemostelusivecreaturesthatwandersthisgreatearth.”
7
DevelopmentInternships:JoannaMcErvaleandOxfam
Australia
TheAYADProgramsupports30Development
InternshipseveryyeartoprovidereturnedAYADs
(RAYADs)withopportunitiestocontinuetheir
professionalinterestinthefieldofdevelopmentupon
theirreturntoAustralia.
SimilartotheAYADProgram,DevelopmentInternships
aredesignedtomutuallybenefitboththeRAYAD
andanAustralianhostorganisation.Development
Internshipsprovidefundingofupto$1,200tosupport
theRAYADasaninternfor20workingdays(4weeks
full-time)andmustbecompletedwithinoneyearof
finishinganAYADassignment.
Recently,JoannaMcErvale,whospent12months
asanAYADinPapuaNewGuinea,appliedfora
DevelopmentInternshipwithOxfamAustralia.A
memberofOxfamInternational,OxfamAustralia
carriesoutdevelopmentworkin27countriesaround
theworld.JoannawasassignedtothePacific
ProgramssectionduringacriticaltimefortheOxfam
Pacificteam.Jo’sfirstdaycoincidedwiththeSolomon
Island’stsunamiwhichcreatedanintenseresource
andpersonneldrainonthePacificProgramsteam.
“AtthebeginningofmyplacementwithOxfam
Australia,Iwasratheroverwhelmedbythetask
offamiliarisingmyselfwiththeprocessesand
backgroundinformationofsuchalargeorganisation
andtherelevantprogramsforwhichIwastomake
contributions,”saidJo,“Thankfully,Ihadwonderful
supportinmysupervisor–KarenMcPhail-Bell–
whoclearlyarticulatedherexpectationsofmeand
frequentlyofferedopportunitiestodiscussandreview
myrole,despitetheshort-termnatureofmyassistance
tothePacificProgramsteam.”
WorkingwithKaren(anotherreturnedAYAD)andthe
OxfamPacificProgramsteam,Jo’sprimarytaskwas
toresearchandcomposecasestudiesfortheAusAID
“BuildingDemandforBetterGovernance”initiative.
SheliaisedwiththeOxfamPacificProgramsOfficer,
CoordinatorandRegionalManager,andinterviewed
keyfieldcontactsintheSolomonIslandsandFijito
acquirerelevantdocumentationandinformationfor
caseanalysis.
“Duringaperiodofparticularlyheavyworkload,Jo’s
inputwasakeyfactorinensuringthatOxfamAustralia
deliveredthe3casestudiesfortheAusAIDGood
GovernanceProgramontimeandofquality,”said
supervisor,KarenMcPhail-Bell,“Jo’sassistancewas
integralforprogressingotherprogramactivities,such
asprogramappraisalsandthetsunamiresponse,
meaningthatstepsareunderwaytobeginnew
programsinourfieldofficeswitharangeofpartners.”
BothKarenandJoareenthusiasticaboutthe
outcomesoftheAYADDevelopmentInternshipwhich
alsoledtoJoacquiringworkwiththePacificPrograms
team.
“Theinternshiphasgivenmeanexcellentinsightinto
internationalNGO(INGO)developmentprograms
administration,”saidJo,“Ihavedevelopedmy
understandingoftheprocessesthatunderpinthe
relationshipbetweenprogramdevelopersand
theirpartnerorganisationsinthefieldbutalsoan
understandingoftherespectiveinternalprocessesof
aninstitutionsuchasOxfam.I’mgratefulforhaving
beengiventheopportunitytoinvestigateopportunities
inProgramsandAdvocacyandlookforwardto
fosteringthatopportunityinthenearfuture.”
TheexperienceprovidedbytheDevelopment
InternshiphasgivenJobothprofessionaldevelopment
andnetworksforfuturework,whileOxfamAustralia
hasgainedtheinputandassistanceofanenergetic
andexperienceddevelopmentworker.
Ifyouwanttoknowmoreaboutapplyingfororhosting
aDevelopmentInternshipcheckouttheDevelopment
InternshipGuidelinesandApplicationformavailablefor
downloadfromwww.ayad.com.au/returned_AYADsor
AccordingtoAYADLarraineBusch,typicalvillage
lifeinVanuaturevolvesaroundpigs,volleyballand
family.“I’mnotsureiftheygointhatorder,but
involvingallthreecreatesagreatfoundationfor
beingabletodevelopbeachvolleyballintheisland
paradiseofVanuatu”,shesays.
AsaneliteAustralianbeachvolleyballplayercome
AYADvolunteer,Larrainehasspentthelastthree
monthsinVanuatucoachingthelocalteams
tocompeteintheSouthPacificGamestobe
heldinSamoathisSeptember.Quiteanexciting
endeavour,giventheGames’status;“Iarrivedin
thecountrynotknowinganythingabouttheSouth
PacificGamesbutquicklylearntit’sliketheOlympic
GamesofthePacific”,Larrainerecalls.“Youwinthe
PacificGamesandatickertapeparadeVanuatu-
styleawaitsyourreturn”.
Foracountywhosefoundationrestsonthesport,
volleyballisembeddedearlyoninlifeinVanuatu.In
Larraine’sopinion,thesituationcouldn’tbebetter;
shebelievestheskillsdevelopedasapikinini
(smallchild)arewhatcouldcatapultVanuatuinto
successfullycompetingataninternationallevel.
Comparedtothestyleofvolleyballplayedinthe
villages,thebeachvolleyballversionofthesport
wasbornintoVanuatuin2004byAYADDebbie
Wooster.Sincethen,asilvermedalhasbeenwon
bythewomen’steamattheOceaniaGamesin
Samoain2006.Thisearlysuccesshasgiventhe
sportenormousmomentuminVanuatu,andthe
proudachievementofsilverhasputavisionfor
goldonthehorizon.
Boththemenandwomen’steamswillbe
representingVanuatuintheSouthPacificGamesin
2007,butthisyear,alocalrefereeofficialwillalso
betheretocalltheplays.Theopportunitytotravel
andearnmoneyinallaspectsofbeachvolleyball
isbecomingincreasinglyapparenttotheNi-Van
people.
HenryTavoa,CEOoftheVanuatuNationalOlympic
Committee,believesthistobeanimportant
developmentforthecountry.“Thebiggestfactor
contributingtothesustainabilityofsportsin
Vanuatu”,Henryexplains,“istheabilityofsports
organisationstodeveloptheathletesandofficialsat
thesamerate”.
Butthere’salotmoretoLarraine’simpressionof
theVanuatupeoplethantheirknackforbeach
volleyball.Larrainesaysthatcoachingthewomen’s
squadhasallowedhertoparticipateinthetrue
natureofthepacificisland’sculture.
“Afterarun,theteamandIweredrenchedinsweat
fromthehumidity.Wedidn’tcarrywaterbottles,
sotruetoNi-Vanstyle,oneofthegirlsclimbed
acoconuttreeandfoundplentyofwatertogo
around.Betterstill,therewereacoupleofripe
paw-pawsreadytopick.Upgoesanothergirland
weallstandunderneathplayingcatch”.
Tofillthetimewhenshe’snotcatchingpaw-paws
orshowingherteamtheropes,Larraineissharing
herskillsinamorecreativeway.Withthehelpof
counterpartJoeShem,Larraineispreparinga
picturebooktoillustratethedifferencesbetween
villagevolleyballandinternationalbeachvolleyball.
Ifapicturetellsathousandwords,Larraineand
Joewilltranscendmorethan100differentdialects
spokenacrosstheislandsandletpicturestellthe
story.
Amajorityofpeopleliveontheouterislandsof
Vanuatu,whichcanrequireuptosixdaysoftravel
byboat.Withthisinmind,Larrainehopesthe
picturebookcanbeusedbylocalathletesduring
schoolandvillagevisitsasatooltopassonthe
knowledgeshe’sintroduced.
Butwhataboutthepig?“Thepigholdsavery
prestigiousplaceintheNi-Vanculture”,Larraine
says.“Itrepresentspeaceandstability.Andthe
family?Well,whenitcomestobeachvolleyball,no
oneisleftonthesidelines.AccordingtoLarraine,
“whatoftenstartsoutastwopeoplekeepingthe
balloffthesandsoongrowstoincludeGrandpa,
Grandma,Mama,Papaandchildrenofallages,
alwayswithbigsmilesontheirfaces”.
goingforgold...andpaw-paws
going for gold...and paw-paws
9
NeW GROWTH FROM PARTNERSHIPS.
OrganisationandtheAustralianPartnerOrganisation
contributedtoboththesuccessofSam’sAYAD
assignmentandthelongertermeffectivenessofthe
projectinTibet.
“BeforeIleftforTibet,Iwasfortunatetobeableto
meetwithbothDrDavidCoventryandDrNicholas
Paltridge,theUniversityofAdelaidestaffworking
onthisproject”saidSam,“Theygavemelotsof
backgroundreadingandgenerouslysharedtheir
impressionsoflifeinLhasa.”
Sam’sarrivalinLhasacoincidedwiththebeginning
ofthesecondyear’sharvestandthearrivalofthe
UniversityofAdelaide’sDrNicholasPaltridgeonthe
project.Therelationshipsalreadyestablishedbetween
theHostOrganisationandtheAustralianPartner
OrganisationeasedSam’stransitionintoherroleas
CropSystemsOfficer,andenabledhertoslipstraight
intotheresearchschedule.
“Sammadeaconsiderablecontributiontothe
project,helpingestablishanagronomylaboratory
andagronomicdatacollectionprotocols”saidthe
ApartnershipbetweentheTibetAcademyof
AgriculturalandAnimalSciences(TAAS)andthe
UniversityofAdelaideisprovidingrichsoilforgrowth
forbothorganizations.
AYADSamanthaGroverspentfivemonthsworking
asCropSystemsOfficerattheTibetAcademyof
AgriculturalandAnimalSciences(TAAAS)inLhasa,
TibetwhereshewasalsosupportedbyherAustralian
PartnerOrganisation,theUniversityofAdelaide.
“IntensifyingproductionofgrainandfodderinCentral
Tibetfarmingsystems”isajointresearchproject
betweenTAAASandtheUniversityofAdelaide,funded
bytheAustralianCentreforInternationalAgricultural
Research(ACIAR).ThedualaimsoftheACIARproject
aretointensifycroppingsystems,particularlybarley
andwheat,andtostrengthenthecapacityoflocal
scientiststoconductresearch.
Sam’sTibetansupervisorandcolleagueshadbeen
workingwiththeAustralianPartnerOrganisation,
theUniversityofAdelaide,forseveralyearsbefore
shearrivedandthestronglinksbetweentheHost
Top Left. Field Research : Counting grain heads at TAAAS research station, Lhasa.
Left to right: Sam, 2 Tibetan agricultural labourers, Ze Xiu, Jin Tao, Tse Yang.
Top Right. Soils Workshop : Sam running a workshop on soil profile description at
TAAAS research station. Left to right: Sam, Tse Yang, Drolma, Ze Xiu, Jin Tao.
Bottom Left. Sorting grain from fodder : Harvest at TAAAS research station, Lhasa.
Left to right: Nick, Drolma, Sam, Ze Xiu.
Bottom Right. Surveying Farmer : One of our staff, Zomkyi, in her family home.
Back row Sam, Nick. Front row: Zomkyi’s mother, sister-in law and nephew, father,
Zomkyi herself, Zomkyi’s brother.
UniversityofAdelaide’sDr.NicholasPaltridge,“she
alsoinitiatedasurveyofsoilsinthecrop-production
zonesofcentralTibet–thefirstofitskindforsome40
years.”
Sambelievesthattheimpactofhercapacitybuilding
workwiththelocalTibetanscientistswillbemore
enduringduetotheircontinuedinvolvementinjoint
researchwiththeUniversityofAdelaideandwas
excitedtocontinueherinvolvementwithherAPO
throughanAYADDevelopmentInternshipwiththe
UniversityofAdelaideuponherreturntoAustralia.
“Myprimaryrole,asoutlinedinmyposition
description,wastoestablishalaboratory,anda
regimeoflaboratoryprocedures,tosupportthefield
researchprogram,”saidSam,“Thisconcretetask
wassuccessfullyachievedand,inliaisonwithNick,I
devotedmuchtimeandenergytothelessconcrete
taskofcapacitybuildingwiththelocalteam.”
BeinganAPOhashadmultiplebenefitsforthe
UniversityofAdelaide.Theyhavebeenabletoprovide
strongerandmorediversesupporttotheirpartners
inTibetthroughtheplacementofanAustralianYouth
AmbassadorforDevelopmentontheirprojectand
buildontheirownlinkagesandexpertisebyworking
withskilledyoungAustraliansbothinthefieldandback
inAustralia.
“Forusthebenefitisthatwecanincreaseour
effectivenessintheworkwe’redoing.Samhasdone
somuchandverysoonwe’llbehavinganotherAYAD
workwithus.AYADsfitinsowellwithwhatweneed
andaddsomuchtowhatwe’redoing.It’sjustterrific.”
DavidCoventry,UniversityofAdelaide.
2
DEVELOPMENT INTERNSHIPS: JOANNA MCERVALE & OXFAM AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALIAN PARTNER ORGANISATIONS
TheAYADProgramworkswithadiverserangeof
AustralianPartnerOrganisationswhoprovidesupport,
enthusiasmandexpertisetoprojectsinallourpartner
countries.
AustralianPartnerOrganisations(APOs)are
Australiangovernmentdepartments,non-government
organisations(NGOs),educationalinstitutionsand
privatecompaniesthathaveorwishtoestablishlinks
withorganisationsworkingindevelopmentintheAsia
Pacificregion.
ThebenefitsofbeinganAustralianPartner
Organisationaremanyandvariedincludingbuilding
newpartnershipsinourregion,providinganamazing
professionaldevelopmentopportunityforstaffand
makingapositivecontributiontodevelopment.
Ifyouareinterestedinlearningmoreaboutpartnering
withtheAYADProgrampleasecontacttheAYAD
PartnershipsManager,SianBlackwellat
[email protected](freecall)1800225592.
TheAYADProgramsupports30DevelopmentInternshipseveryyeartoprovidereturnedAYADs(RAYADs)withopportunitiestocontinuetheirprofessionalinterestinthefieldofdevelopmentupontheirreturntoAustralia.
SimilartotheAYADProgram,DevelopmentInternshipsaredesignedtomutually
benefitboththeRAYADandanAustralianhostorganisation.Development
Internshipsprovidefundingofupto$1,200tosupporttheRAYADasaninternfor20
workingdays(4weeksfull-time)andmustbecompletedwithinoneyearoffinishing
anAYADassignment.
Recently,JoannaMcErvale,whospent12monthsasanAYADinPapuaNew
Guinea,appliedforaDevelopmentInternshipwithOxfamAustralia.Amemberof
OxfamInternational,OxfamAustraliacarriesoutdevelopmentworkin27countries
aroundtheworld.JoannawasassignedtothePacificProgramssectionduringa
criticaltimefortheOxfamPacificteam.Jo’sfirstdaycoincidedwiththeSolomon
Island’stsunamiwhichcreatedanintenseresourceandpersonneldrainonthe
PacificProgramsteam.
“AtthebeginningofmyplacementwithOxfamAustralia,Iwasratheroverwhelmed
bythetaskoffamiliarisingmyselfwiththeprocessesandbackgroundinformation
ofsuchalargeorganisationandtherelevantprogramsforwhichIwastomake
contributions,”saidJo,“Thankfully,Ihadwonderfulsupportinmysupervisor–Karen
McPhail-Bell–whoclearlyarticulatedherexpectationsofmeandfrequentlyoffered
opportunitiestodiscussandreviewmyrole,despitetheshort-termnatureofmy
assistancetothePacificProgramsteam.”
WorkingwithKaren(anotherreturnedAYAD)andtheOxfamPacificPrograms
team,Jo’sprimarytaskwastoresearchandcomposecasestudiesfortheAusAID
“BuildingDemandforBetterGovernance”initiative.SheliaisedwiththeOxfam
PacificProgramsOfficer,CoordinatorandRegionalManager,andinterviewedkey
fieldcontactsintheSolomonIslandsandFijitoacquirerelevantdocumentationand
informationforcaseanalysis.
“Duringaperiodofparticularlyheavyworkload,Jo’sinputwasakeyfactorin
ensuringthatOxfamAustraliadeliveredthe3casestudiesfortheAusAIDGood
GovernanceProgramontimeandofquality,”saidsupervisor,KarenMcPhail-Bell,
“Jo’sassistancewasintegralforprogressingotherprogramactivities,suchas
programappraisalsandthetsunamiresponse,meaningthatstepsareunderwayto
beginnewprogramsinourfieldofficeswitharangeofpartners.”
BothKarenandJoareenthusiasticabouttheoutcomesoftheAYADDevelopment
InternshipwhichalsoledtoJoacquiringworkwiththePacificProgramsteam.
“TheinternshiphasgivenmeanexcellentinsightintointernationalNGO
(INGO)developmentprogramsadministration,”saidJo,“Ihavedevelopedmy
understandingoftheprocessesthatunderpintherelationshipbetweenprogram
developersandtheirpartnerorganisationsinthefieldbutalsoanunderstanding
oftherespectiveinternalprocessesofaninstitutionsuchasOxfam.I’mgrateful
forhavingbeengiventheopportunitytoinvestigateopportunitiesinProgramsand
Advocacyandlookforwardtofosteringthatopportunityinthenearfuture.”
TheexperienceprovidedbytheDevelopmentInternshiphasgivenJoboth
professionaldevelopmentandnetworksforfuturework,whileOxfamAustraliahas
gainedtheinputandassistanceofanenergeticandexperienceddevelopment
worker.
IfyouwanttoknowmoreaboutapplyingfororhostingaDevelopmentInternship
checkouttheDevelopmentInternshipGuidelinesandApplicationformavailablefor
downloadfromwww.ayad.com.au/[email protected].
•ACIAR
•ADRAAustralia
•ANZBank
•AUSTCARE
•AustralianDevelopmentGateway
•AustralianFoundationforAsia
andthePacific
•AustralianNationalUniversity
•AustralianOrangutanProject
•AustralianPublicService
Commission
•AustralianRedCrossSociety
•AustralianSportsCommission
•BlueDragonChildren’s
FoundationAustralia
•BoxHillTAFE
•BurnetInstitute
•CAREAustralia
•CharlesDarwinUniversity
•ChisholmInstitute
•ChristianBlindMission
International
•CSIROSustainableEcosystems
•CurtinUniversityofTechnology
•DepartmentofAgricultureand
Food
•DepartmentofPrimaryIndustries
andFisheries
•DepartmentoftheEnvironment
andWaterResources
•EnvironmentalDefender’sOffice
Ltd
•FoundationforDeveloping
CambodianCommunities
•GeorgeInstituteforInternational
Health
•GHDPtyLtd
•GriffithUniversity
•GuidesAustralia
•HabitatforHumanity
•HassallandAssociates
International
•HopeWorldwide
•HumaneSocietyInternational
•InternationalCricketCouncilEast
Asia-Pacific
•InternationalOrganizationfor
Migration
•InternationalRugbyBoard
•InternationalWomen’s
DevelopmentAgency
•JTAInternational
•KelloggBrown&RootPtyLtd
•LandEquityInternationalPtyLtd
•LiveandLearnEnvironmental
Education
•MacquarieUniversity
•MarieStopesInternational
Australia
•MonashUniversity
•MonashUniversityAccident
ResearchCentre
•MurdochUniversity
•NationalLibraryofAustralia
•NatureConservationCouncilof
NSW
•NSWDepartmentofPrimary
Industries
•OxfamAustralia
•PlanInternational
•PlanningInstituteAustralia
•RoyalAustralasianCollegeof
Physicians
•RoyalChildren’sHospital,
Melbourne
•RoyalLifeSavingAssociationof
Australia
•SavetheChildrenAustralia
•SinclairKnightMerz
•SusilaDharmaAustraliaInc.
•SustainableTourism
Co-operativeResearchCentre
•TAFEQueensland
•TAFESouthAustralia
•TheCentreforCulturalMaterials
•TriathlonAustralia
•UNHCRAustralia
•UNICEFAustralia
•UNIFEMAustralia
•UnionAidAbroadAPHEDA
•UniQuestPtyLtd
•UnitingChurchInternational
Mission
•UniversityofAdelaide
•UniversityofMelbourne
ConservationService
•UniversityofNewcastle
•UniversityofQueensland
•UniversityofSydney
•UniversityofTasmania
•UniversityofTechnologySydney
•UniversityofWesternSydney
•URSSustainableDevelopment
Australia
•WalterandElizaHallInstituteof
MedicalResearch
•WesternSydneyInstituteofTAFE
•WorldSocietyfortheProtection
ofAnimals
•WorldVision
•WorldWideFundAustralia
July
Intake19AYADsheadin-country
28-29 StateRepresentativeWorkshop
August
20 MelbourneInfoSession
21 HobartInfoSession
22 CanberraInfoSession
23 SydneyInfoSession
25-26 RAYADDebrief(Sydney)
27 AYADForum(Sydney)
29 Brisbane&AdelaideInfoSessions
31 Intake21Assignmentsonline
September
3 Perth&DarwinInfoSessions
4 BendigoInfoSession
9-14 Intake20Pre-DepartureTraining(Canberra)
Intake20AYADsheadin-country
October
5 Intake21Applicationsdue
20 RAYADDevelopmentForum(Melbourne)
21 StateRepresentativeWorkshop(Melbourne)
November
4-9 In-CountryManagementWorkshop
24-25 RAYADDebrief(Melbourne)
December
5 InternationalVolunteersDay
Thesedetailsarecorrectattimeofprinting.Please
checkwww.ayad.com.auforthelatestinformation.
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
October November December
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 31
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
31
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
July August September
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
7
8
8
9
9
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
14
15
15
16
16
17
17
18
18
19
19
20
20
21
21
22
22
23
23
24
24
25
25
26
26
27
27
28
28
29
29
30
30
TheAYADProgramwouldliketothankourcurrentactiveAPOsfortheirinvolvementandsupport.
23
au
AustraliaFreecall:1800225592
Telephone:+61(8)83648500
Email:[email protected]
ManagedbyAustrainingInternationalPtyLtd
Level1,41DequettevilleTce,KentTownSA5067
www.ausaid.gov.au/youtham
DO YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR CONTRIBUTING TO DEVELOPMENT?
WWW.AUSAID.GOV.AU/YOUTHAM