Developing communities throughout the Commonwealth are set to benefit from the appointment of Plan as the first ever Commonwealth Games Goodwill Partner.

Announcing the partnership, the Minister for Commonwealth Games, Justin Madden, described it as one of the most significant lasting benefits the Commonwealth Games would leave.

"The Goodwill Partnership will create long-term benefits for Victorians, Australians and the Commonwealth," Mr Madden said.

"The appointment says a great deal about Victoria.s sense of community and willingness to help those less fortunate."

Plan Executive Director, Ian Wishart, said the Goodwill Partnership had the potential to deliver more than just memories of great sporting achievement.

"Australia excels at so many sports, the Commonwealth Games is the time for us to show we are a goodwill champion as well," Mr Wishart said.

Under the banner 'Children are our Common Wealth', Plan is asking all Australians to support children in developing Commonwealth nations by signing up to become a child sponsor or donating funds towards key development projects.

"The Goodwill Partnership is about forging real understanding and links between people in developed and developing countries," Mr Wishart said. "Plan currently supports the needs of children in 12 developing Commonwealth nations. By sponsoring one child, more than 100 people benefit through community development projects."

Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Chief Executive Officer, Mr John Harnden, warmly welcomed Plan Australia to the Games Family.

"We look forward to working with Plan to ensure we give children an equal chance to develop into healthy, educated and responsible adults," Mr Harnden said.

On behalf of Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, Mr Harnden also presented Plan with a cheque for over $18,000 in seed funding to be used towards reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS on African communities.

Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Chairman, Mr Ronald J Walker, said: "We believe in the value of the Goodwill Partnership and look forward to working with Plan to assist children throughout the Commonwealth."

Plan, a world leader in aid and development, and the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games will use the Goodwill Partnership to raise awareness of the issues facing developing Commonwealth nations and in turn raise funds for vital community development projects.

Together with child sponsorship, the Goodwill Partnership will support four urgent Plan development projects. Australians can make donations to:

• Community learning in Bangladesh

• Early Childhood Care and Development in India

• Reducing Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS in African communities

• Pacific Youth Program

Seventy-one Victorian children from Auburn South Primary School were in attendance at the launch today representing the 71 nations of the Commonwealth, along with Plan Ambassador Jamie Durie and Plan.s Youth Ambassador and Master of Ceremonies, 13-year-old, Harry White.

Mr Madden said it was important the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games be remembered for generating goodwill and understanding between nations.