Jakarta, 8th August 2024 – Ten Indonesian schools officially joined the Australia-Indonesia BRIDGE School Partnership Program during the Record of Understanding hybrid ceremony in Jakarta, marking a key moment in the educational collaboration between the two nations. The BRIDGE program, which stands for Building Relationships through Intercultural Dialogue and Growing Engagement, has been connecting schools in Indonesia and Australia for 16 years.

This year’s cohort will bring the total number of partnerships to 253, further strengthening the ties between Indonesian and Australian schools. The BRIDGE program is aimed at building intercultural understanding and global competence, pedagogical competences and positive views.

Two teachers from each o new BRIDGE schools will visit and stay with their partner schools in Australia, deepening the connections between the two countries. Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Penny Williams PSM, praised the program, saying, “The BRIDGE program builds connections between people and communities in Indonesia and Australia. I wish our new BRIDGE school participants all the best as they take up this unique opportunity.”

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Chloe Ashbolt, Counsellor Public Affairs at the Australian Embassy Jakarta, also congratulated the schools on joining the BRIDGE community during the ceremony.

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The schools selected for the 2024 BRIDGE cohort are:

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Indonesian Schools

• Madrasah Muallimaat Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Special Region of Yogyakarta

• MAN 11 Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta

• MA Pesantren Terpadu Al Fauzan, East Java

• MINU KH. Mukmin Sidoarjo, East Java

• SD Islam Harapan Ibu, Jakarta

• SD Smart Auladi, West Java

• SMP Laboratorium UM Malang, East Java

• SD Islam Kreatif Mutiara Anak Sholeh, East Java

• SD Kristen Citra Bangsa, East Nusa Tenggara

• SMPN 6 Langke Rembong, East Nusa Tenggara

 

Australian Schools

• Narrogin Senior High School, Western Australia

• Mount Erin College, Western Australia

• Trinity College Colac, Victoria

• Lara Secondary College, Victoria

• Franklin Primary School, Tasmania

• Evandale Primary School, Tasmania

• Latrobe High School, Tasmania

• Kilkenny Primary School, South Australia

• Darwin Languages Centre, Northern Territory

• Girraween Primary School, Northern Territory

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Funded by the Australian Government and managed by the Asia Education Foundation (AEF), the BRIDGE program plays an important role in public diplomacy between Australia and Indonesia and establishes sustainable school partnerships.