e-news
june '06

Tasmanian Centre
for Global Learning
educating for a fairer world
4 Battery Square, Battery Point, Tasmania, 7004
Ph 03 6223 1025 or 0400 824 261, Fax 03 6224 8041
Email admin@afairerworld.org, Web www.afairerworld.org
Dear supporters

Welcome to our new look e-news.  In this issue we look at what's happening with ruMAD? in Tasmania and nationally and other projects and events happening at the Centre.  We sadly farewell a staunch supporter and Honorary Life Member, Robin Hull. There is also a reminder that we can only continue our work with your support as a member or donor.

Best wishes
Helen Hortle, Coordinator
In this Issue
ruMAD? news
1. MAD Day: April 6th 2006
2. Friends' School goes totally MAD!
3. Taroona High MAD Project
4. Get your MAD activities on A Fairer World
5. MAD motivational resources
6. Potential prizes for MAD Project
7. ruMAD? Past, Present & Future
Other Centre news
1. A Fairer World launch
2. New gender resources
3. Movements on the Management Committee
4. Motivational visit by Cheryl Paten
5. Citizen of Humanity
6. Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
7. Vale Robin Hull
8. Membership
Coming Events
Click here to check for upcoming events on our new on-line Events Diary...
Take Action
Concerned about the Government's proposed new refugee laws? Visit these campaign sites:
Mailing list: if you do not wish to receive this e-newsletter in future
please let us know by return email.

ruMAD? news
1. MAD Day: April 6th 2006
88 schools around Australia participated in MAD Day 2006.  In Tasmania more than 1,400 students raised awareness of issues ranging from cleaning-up the environment to youth advocacy to the importance of teamwork and 'getting-along'.
2. Friends' School goes totally MAD!
This year as part of The Friendly Conference and in keeping with Friends’ School’s service tradition, the Clemes’ students (year 11/12) have decided to be MAD for a year.
3. Taroona High Animal Cruelty Awareness Day
As part of the Grade 8 Personal Futures Program I am running a MAD Project with a group of 20 students.  Their vision statement is:  "Our big possibility is a world where everyone treasures, respects and works together to protect other people and the environment so that all people, plants and animals are healthy and happy".  Their area of greatest concern is animal cruelty and on July 6th they will be running an Animal Cruelty-free Awareness Day with guests from local organisations involved in animal protection, an animal cruelty-free BBQ, competitions and more!  The full story and photos will be on our website soon after the event.

4. Get your MAD activities on A Fairer World
Motivate your students by getting them to share their MAD activities with other schools.  Send us details and photos of your MAD project, whatever stage it's at, and we'll put it on the website for all to see.  

5. MAD motivational resources
Wondering how to get your students prepared for running a MAD Project?  Teachers often find that it is useful to get students 'tuned-in' to social justice issues with motivational resources that will prompt discussion and further research.  
6. Potential competition prizes for MAD Projects
Schools undertaking MAD Projects will sometimes find that their projects fit within the guidelines for competition prizes.  Below are three possibilities, please let us know if you hear about any others:

7. ruMAD? Past, Present & Future
In Victoria, where it was developed, the ruMAD? Program has now been running for over 5 years. Beyond the clearly demonstrated outcomes this real-life learning experience provides, students Making a Difference in their communities frequently act as an important catalyst for a shift in community perception, affecting in turn thought and action on global as well as local issues.  This message is even more powerful when our communities see children with disabilities, children from Indigenous communities and children from migrant populations being active and Making a Difference.  

In 2005 the Education Foundation received funding from AMCOR Australasia to expand nationally.  As part of their commitment to develop a sustainable model that is accessible and relevant to all young people, the Education Foundation is bringing together key stakeholders for a one-day workshop in Melbourne.  We will be participating in this session to put forward our experience in Tasmania and will report back on outcomes in the next newsletter.

For more information on ruMAD? contact Karen at rumad@afairerworld.org

Other Centre news
1. A Fairer World launch
A Fairer World, the Centre’s new website was launched by the Hon David Bartlett, Minister for Education on May 15th.  The website is an exciting milestone in the Centre’s revitalization, demonstrating its commitment to both community-building through collaborative partnerships and to global education in Tasmania.  The website was the result of a partnership with Australian Volunteers International and TAFE Tasmania, with funding from the Myer Foundation.  The objectives of the partnership were:
  • To provide a new web presence for the Centre, with information on current projects, resource availability and coming events.
  • To provide a resource portal for overseas volunteers, with information on global issues of interest to prospective, current and returned volunteers.
  • To provide TAFE students from a range of courses with real-life learning experiences.
In launching the website the Minister said, “The creation of this website is one way in which the TCGL is already acting to change the world, by encouraging website visitors to inquire, reflect and improve their local and global community,” …“[It] is a great example of how Tasmanian creativity and innovation can make us more informed global citizens and link us to what’s going on in the world,”
2. New gender resources now available
These new teaching resources, including laminated posters, videos, DVDs and teaching kits, have been purchased with the assistance of Women Tasmania.  The Resource Library has many other gender resources that can be browsed on the shelves or searched on our library database.  In addition a summary of the main issues and a list of useful websites on gender can be found on the Centre’s website, A Fairer World.  Members borrowing any of these resources will receive a free magazine on women in development.

3. Movements on the Management Committee
The Centre is pleased to welcome Jeff Garsed as a new member of the Management Committee.  Jeff represents the Australian Education Union where he works as a Research Officer.
We are also pleased to announce the appointment of Mary Blake, United Nations Association of Australia (Tas) representative, as a second Vice President.  

4. Visit by Cheryl Paten, Young Engineer of the Year
We are fortunate to be able to offer schools the opportunity to meet with this inspiring young woman.  Cheryl will be visiting Hobart in August and thanks to the Tasmanian branch of Engineers Without Borders she will take time out to speak with students.  Cheryl Paten is a co-author of The Natural Advantage of Nations, the education coordinator for the sustainability think-tank The Natural Edge Project and is working with the national high school Sustainable Living Competition.  Cheryl's visit ties in well with our support of UNESCO's Decade of Education for Sustainable Development - see below.
Contact us to express interest in attending the talk.

5. Citizen of Humanity 
Looking for teaching ideas for Social Responsibility?  Acting democratically, Building social capital, Creating preferred futures, Valuing diversity? Teaching grades 5 – 7?  Then contact us about the Citizen of Humanity, a project of the National Committee on Human Rights Education.   The project is aimed at promoting an understanding of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It comprises 9 lesson plans and students receive a Citizen of Humanity certificate in recognition of their participation.

The Centre will arrange for the presentation of certificates and can also provide:
  • Assistance in delivering classroom based activities.
  • Speakers on related topics such as the United Nations and global issues.
  • Resources including posters, videos and books.
6. Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD)
The 2006 issue of Geographical Education, the professional journal of the Australian Geography Teachers Association, is based on the theme of the DESD and has some excellent articles along with resource reviews.  The journal is now available in the Centre's library.

7. Vale Robin Hull
The Centre lost a most staunch supporter, committed worker and Honorary Life Member this month with the passing of Robin Hull on June 15th.  Robin's association with TASDEC and then with TCGL spanned thirteen active years, with several of those as president of the Committee of Management.  Robin represented the Australian Education Union on our Committee, and we benefitted from her clear analytical skills, her insight into global education issues and into the challenge of delivering resources from the base of a small NGO across the education sector, to teachers and students alike.   Robin's courage against heavy personal odds, and her unflagging dedication to social improvement, will remain an inspiring legacy.

8. Membership
We can only continue our work in educating for a fairer world with your support.  If you like what we do please consider becoming a member or making a donation.  Anyone joining in second term can select 2 free resources (postage may apply).

For more information on any of these items contact Helen at admin@afairerworld.org