Colombo Plan to facilitate learning

 AUSTRALIA’S Deputy High Commissioner to PNG Margaret Adamson is optimistic of a workable exchange programme between the two countries under Australia’s new Colombo Plan.

The new plan was a signature of the Australian Government under Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop aiming to lift knowledge of the Asia Pacific in Australia through study internships undertaken by Australian undergraduate students in the region.

“This plan is not only about young people coming to Australia from our region but about Australians coming down this way to PNG and I am hoping very much that we are going to be seeing a lot of exchange between our young people,” Adamson said.

She said this was actually something the National Planning Minister Charles Abel had raised at last year’s Ministerial Forum in Port Moresby, highlighting the country’s desire to see young Australians come to PNG and get to know their peers and make contributions.

“There is quite a lot of detail involved to work out in that scheme but our two governments are kind of connected in their wave-length there for something that will work wonderfully well,” Adamson said.