APSIG newsletter no. 59: November 2005

Education project in Aceh

Canberra APSIG members heard a very informative and lively report on Aceh at our spring dinner on 28 September. Ably organised at an Asian restaurant by George Miller, we were privileged to hear from Dr David Sloper of Canberra who has just returned from his second period in Aceh this year.

Part of a team of educators assembled by Hassall and Associates of Canberra and Indonesia to provide training in planning for those now grappling with the horrific situation left by the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami, David provided a very positive but light-hearted and amusing story after our dinner.

Using several Kijang four wheel drive vehicles as a traveling office and resource centre, the team, funded through the Australia Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development's $1 billion dollar fund, put on eight courses in various locations in Aceh Province to develop the capacity and ability of 220 local government planning officers, so they can undertake this gigantic rebuilding. David reported that the coming of peace to Aceh through the signing of the Oslo peace accords is providing the best opportunity in thirty years for the area.