Law student selected as Australian Youth Ambassador

A law student from The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Sydney Campus, Mark Hunn, will spend the next 12 months in Bangladesh as an Australian Youth Ambassador for Developing (AYAD) Nations. The AYAD program, run by AUSAID, places skilled young Australian volunteers, aged 18-30, on short-term assignments of between 3-12 months, in countries throughout the Asia Pacific region. It is designed to strengthen mutual understanding between the two regions and make a positive contribution to development in third-world countries. While in Bangladesh, Mark will work with the civil organisation, Hunger Free World, and undertake a number of assignments and develop policies and procedures to assist in combating major problems such as poverty and child sex slavery. Mr Hunn, in addition to studying law at Notre Dame, has a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) and has worked for the past five years with disadvantaged and homeless youth in Sydney. He said after a long six month application process he was notified of his success in April. He leaves for Bangladesh at the beginning of July and will return mid 2009. “I am excited about being able to work on issues that are close to me; especially being able to assist in the creation of a country’s policies and procedures. I am also looking forward to immersing myself in a different culture,” said Mr Hunn. Dean of the School of Law, Professor Gerard Ryan, said the whole school is very pleased with Mark’s achievement. “The Notre Dame School of Law hopes to produce students who will make outstanding positive contributions to both Australia and the world. We are delighted at Mark’s involvement with this program,” said Professor Ryan. Media contact: Moira Saunders 02 8204 440