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Inspiration in schools, Action Plan

This is the draft action plan I created when I wanted to pursue action on my issue of education and the lack of student knowledge on opportunities for development. I also wanted to help students find their passion.

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Submitted by: Daniel | 1 comments

What’s more important than a sustainable future?


Drafted on 14/2/06

The Issue

Lack of inspiration in our schools and university to; learn, explore, excel, make an impact or try something new. I believe this is due to what schools are not currently teaching. One could argue that newspapers and television don’t offer enough inspiring success stories to inspire the youth but I believe there needs to be a formal structure at schools to help facilitate the youth in fulfilling their potential.

Even by looking at the reasons why people haven’t acted on their issue already, it appears as though it would take too much time and effort. I see this as a lack of inspiration.

If we don’t have an attitude in society that everyone is important and has the power (or is inspired) to make an impact, then our communities will be affected negatively.

The solution

I would like to see a social responsibility (or “Australia in crisis” or “Making a Difference-MAD”) class. I think that for people to be inspired to make a positive change in society, they need to understand what the world expects of them (what their responsibility is on a local and global level).

This would be implemented first on a local (Victorian/National) level and then globally given the success. Topics covered could be:
Australian VS International news (differences in understanding of issues),
Famous people who’ve made an impact,
Issues around the world and their impacts (Logging, racism, global warming, religious wars, multiculturalism, monopolies…),
Australian politics,
Community/Volunteer organisations MAD.
Financing/starting a change in communities and the adoption of new ideas,
Where to start personally and how,
Major Project/Essay on an issue.

I would need to draft up some plans and their purpose whilst contacting DEET.

My personal Impact

I would be responsible for introducing the need and brainstorming/researching the topics needed for an educational semester/year. I would be going around to different high schools to introduce the new subject with the help of DEET. I could possibly introduce a ‘MAD’ competition for each school to produce a document stating the best way to fix an issue.

The community Impact

When parents and the community learn what the youth are learning and how change is possible, it will inspire not just the youth, but the entire community. People will see change around them and the impact. More grants available for developing communities. More people eager to make a difference overseas in developing countries. An encouraging and supportive community and government. More students taking an interest in volunteer organisations. More voting conscious individuals. A greater interest in community projects. A greater pressure on companies to be active in CSR.
Discuss Now 1 comments

Rach 11-Feb-2007

I like this idea, theoretically, but I fear that if it were subject in school, with the wrong teacher, the lac of funding, it could become dry and ruin action for anyone even considering it. Maybe as a free after school program; so kids oculd have something to do, and explore the issues around them as they see fit; not just for an assignment. I think they need to be motivated to want to make a change, and realise they can make change.
It also helps if you make change in pairs, or small groups. My first action was making a short documentary about a bus run that, for some mysterious reason, was at least an hour late every Wednesday. I did it with a fellow actnow intern, so I think we both thought the other knew what we were doing. We didn't, but it empowered us - we could make change and, simply, not know how to do it, where to start or what to do.
The other thing about making change that was really big for me (maybe I should blame the media for this ;)) is that I pretty much was under the impression that if you voice your opinon that you're unhappy with your society, either the police or ASIO would be knocking on my door.
Not so.
In fact, with a lot of my actions, I find people telling me it's an issue they've wanted to deal with for ages, wanting to help or do what they can to support me. I think people are, at first, afraid to do action, until they realise a) it's easy (even if you are just making it up as you go along), and b) you don't get in trouble - in fact, people support you and respect your opinion.
So, yes, there is a lack of inspiration or motivation, but only because its not seen as possible to make change. I think it couldn't hurt to see some people, just simply people, who have made change - especially young people, to make others realise it isn't hard; dosen't require someone wiht excess skill or knowledge, just someone willing to try.

/ramble.
:)