The people of these countries desire two things above all. First, as shown at the Bandung Conference this year, they want to be treated with the respect due to them as citizens of sovereign independent nations. Second, they insist that the great gap that separates their living standards from those of the Western nations be reduced.

It was with sympathy for these aspirations that the Volunteer Graduate Scheme was organised. It aims to give Australian university graduates, and other trained people an opportunity to associate with Indonesians on a basis of equality, thus helping to break down the artificial barriers between East and West. The Scheme also endeavours to assist the development of Indonesia in a small way by giving technical assistance where it is so urgently needed.

The Scheme is still only a small one—only 17 people have so far gone to Indonesia under it. Indeed the response will probably never be large, for volunteers come from the small groups who feel strongly enough against racial superiority ideas to demonstrate their attitude in a practical way. Volunteers have included teachers, engineers, doctors, a botanist, a librarian, and a pharmacist.