The Muslim Exchange Program (MEP) for young leaders began in 2002 to build links between Muslim communities in Australia and Indonesia and promote greater understanding and recognition of religion and its role in each country.

MEP is one of the AII’s flagship programs. So far, 42 Australians and 112 Indonesians have participated in the program.

MEP involves a two-week visit to Australia by two groups of young Indonesian Muslim community leaders, such as writers, academics and workers in non-governmental and religious organisations, and a visit to Indonesia by their Australian counterparts. The focus is on building a greater understanding of the nature of mainstream Islam in Indonesia for the Australian participants and a greater awareness of Australia’s multicultural society for the Indonesians.

For more information, visit http://www.dfat.gov.au/aii/programs/muslim_exchange.html