RCE Greater Western Sydney-2013

rce_proj_title_2013
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1. Project Title: 
Alive Youth Conference
3. Project partner contact information : 
Organization: 
Univeristy of Western Sydney
Role: 
Committee Member, Event Assistance
Main Contact: 
Helen Angelakis
5. Project description
Provide a short description of the project including strategies, regional challenges, aims and specific project activities.: 

The Alive! Youth Environmental Engagement Project was ran in partnership with UWS and the Hawkesbury Environment Network, a partner of the Regional Centre of Expertise in ESD for Greater Western Sydney (RCE-GWS). It has been successful in engaging thousands of young people and their communities in the Hawkesbury-Nepean region of Sydney. Many thousands of young people have been engaged in a range of environmental issues in a variety of ways including planning, implementing, communicating and reporting on their environmental projects, as well as providing teachers and principal with formal Education for Sustainability training.


The program saw the implementation of 13 Alive! projects including stormwater harvesting tank and grow bed installed, worm farms, bird boxes made by students, planting of more than 400 native plants throughout the schools, an artificial wetland and nature conservation area, rejuvenated orchard and fencing installed and an edible garden site. These projects have both environmental and social sustainability benefits attached to them.


The Alive! project conference was held on the 20th and 21st of February 2013. There were 424 young people in attendance along with their teachers over the 2 days, along with 21 environmental groups and organisations and 55 educators and youth workers. The project illustrates how various schools students, educators, teachers and university students and staff can work together.


The Alive! program allowed students to share with other students about the projects and skills they have implemented in their schools – kids teaching kids. It gave students from disadvantaged or low SES schools in western Sydney to actively participate and learn about sustainability issues and how to make a contribution to a better and more sustainable world through better education and opportunities.


6. Project status
Finalized
Description: 
Students/youth groups still working on projects within schools.

A committee has been set up and continues to support the professional development of the teachers.
8. Tagging
Region: 
Asia-Pacific