REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Australia needs Indonesian Muslim leaders and for this the Australian Embassy in Jakarta is calling for applications for the 2015 Australia-Indonesia Muslim Exchange Program (MEP).

Young, high-calibre Indonesian Muslim leaders are encouraged to apply for this opportunity to become international representatives for Indonesian Islam, the Australian Embassy here said on its official website on Friday (21/11).

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty is encouraging young Indonesian Muslim leaders to apply for the chance to represent Indonesia in Australia and to learn more about Australia's multicultural society.

"This is an important chance for young Muslims in Indonesia to promote interfaith understanding, cooperation and mutual respect and celebrate the diversity of both countries," Ambassador Moriarty said.

He said that the program comprises two groups of young Indonesians traveling to Australia for two weeks during the first half of 2015. "They will visit Muslim communities and organizations, as well as take part in Australian cultural activities," he said.

A group of young Australian Muslim leaders will then undertake a similar program in Indonesia later in the year.

MEP builds important and enduring links between Muslim communities in Australia and Indonesia and is funded by the Australian Government through the Australia-Indonesia Institute (AII). The AII works to foster greater understanding and people to people links between Australia and Indonesia.

Paramadina University is coordinating the selection process for Indonesian participants and has been doing so since the program began in 2002.

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