Development Education in Australia

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About

The Schools Engagement Program of UnitingWorld connects Uniting Church schools in Australia with our Relief and Development projects. We aim to establish mutually beneficial relationships between UnitingWord, Uniting Church schools, Partner Churches and the local communities and/or projects.

UnitingWorld is committed to building long term relationships and connecting communities for life. It is through these long term relationships that schools can learn of the unique characteristics and complexities of the culture of the Partner community. Through discussion and negotiation schools and their Partner communities seek ways to contribute to the building of their capacity to administer and resolve ways to deal with the issues they face.

Schools can engage with our Partners in four ways:

  1. Learning about and fundraising for specific projects through resources provided by UnitingWorld.
  2. Communicating via UnitingWorld with Partner Schools through letter writing and/or email contact.
  3. Participating in Short Term Exposure Trips that allow students to experience the local context of our
    Partners and gain a deeper understanding of the issues they are facing.

  4. Establishing a long term relationship with a partner Community, School and/or project, involving a    
    commitment to assist in the capacity building of that Community, School and/or project.

Benefits for Schools:

Students will:

  • Develop strong and unique friendships
  • Develop cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity
  • Learn about the complex global issues that impact on our Partner Communities
  • Learn appropriate ways of engaging with overseas Partners
  • Learn good relief and development practices
  • Learn what it means to be responsible global citizens

News:

Knox Grammar make a return trip to Milne Bay

In June this year 12 students, four members of staff and a doctor travelled with Sharyn to Milne Bay, PNG as part of Knox Grammar’s partnership with Lelehudi Community School. In a testament to the success and impact of the trips two of the students who were a part of the inaugural trip in 2008 returned this year. Throughout the year, the Knox community has raised funds to provide desks for the Lelehudi Community School. The desks were partially constructed by PIR Enterprises in Salamo, PNG and the boys completed the building at the school during their visit.

Kinross Wolaroi spark partnership in PNG

Brian Kennelly, Principal of Kinross Wolaroi School and Patricia Finch, the Head of Pastoral Care, travelled with Sharyn Robinson to New Britain, PNG in April this year. The trip marked the beginning of a meaningful relationship between Kinross Wolaroi School and George Brown High School.  Brian and Patricia were introduced to George Brown High School, its community, its programs and its facilities and the geographic, cultural and historic environment of East New Britain. Very positive discussions were held on the nature of the relationship between the two schools and possible ways forward.

Relationship blossoms between Pymble Ladies College and Kiribati

Last year Howard Clark, religious education co-ordinator for Pymble Ladies’ College (PLC), hosted three chaplains from Kiribati for a day. The Kiribati chaplains were in Australia as part of a fact-finding tour sponsored by UnitingWorld. After the visit Howard contacted UnitingWorld, about a visit to experience life in Kiribati first hand. In October 2008 Howard and Kathy Pereira led a workshop for chaplains, ministers and teachers in Kiribati.

The relationship was deepened by the participation of PLC’s Year 9 girls in a letter writing activity with students at William Goward Memorial College. Howard is now advocating around issues of Climate Change on behalf of Kiribati.

Howard is excited about the future of the relationship and the benefits it will provide for his students. The partnership, “Will allow them to experience a world beyond theirs where ipods and twitter are not everyday events,” he hopes.



Resources for Schools:

Please check back soon for more resources, or contact us at dev.info@unitingworld.org.au for more information.