On 30 May 2016, H.E. Mr. Chirachai Punkrasin, Ambassador of Thailand to Australia as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Canberra, delivered his remarks at the Launch of the Australia-ASEAN Council BRIDGE School Partnerships Program at Hawker College. The event was attended by ASEAN Heads of Mission and representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, together with delegations of school teachers from Thailand, Malaysia and Viet Nam who have participated in the BRIDGE Program.

          The BRIDGE (Building Relationships through Intercultural Dialogue and Growing Engagement) School Partnerships Project is a cooperation program that includes the exchanges of visits among Australian and school teachers from ASEAN Member States and the use of online technology that helps connect teachers, students and school communities in Australia and ASEAN Member States in order to promote mutual awareness and understanding.