Students call for action
Xavier Toby
09Apr08
Eleni Knapp, Mariela Powell-Thomas and Brin Chapman-Parrish from Stanmore Primary School at the 2020 Schools Summit at Ashfield Boys High School. Picture: DAMIAN SHAW OAK18006
AUSTRALIA'S schoolchildren have a remarkable and honest insight into future national and international problems, according to the Australia 2020 Schools Summit, held at Ashfield Boys High last Friday.
The students seemed unfazed as Federal Grayndler Labor MP Anthony Albanese looked on, imploring the government to act now to remedy crises in health, transport, the environment, democracy and fossil fuels.
The children spoke of not wanting to be adults in a world where the aged could not get adequate care, obesity was still a health problem and the threat of nuclear war remained.
One student from Stanmore Public School urged the minister to make immediate changes, explaining how his family had to drive their grandfather around looking for a room.
One retirement home housed several men under 50, he said, because there weren't the facilities to place them anywhere else.
The children, reflecting the views of their peers, did not want foods packed with chemicals or for cars to remain the preferred form of transport.
The summit was held in the lead-up to the Australia 2020 Summit in Canberra this weekend, to be attended by a selection of the finest minds from around the country.
"It is crucial that we provide opportunities like this for our young people the citizens of the future," Mr Albanese said.
The ideas, issues and questions raised through the Schools Summits will be taken forward to the Youth Summit, and from there to Australia 2020.
Eleanor Butcher from Fort St High attended the Schools Summit and has been chosen as one of the Youth Summit participants.
Schools that attended were Ashfield Boys' High; Lewisham Public School; St Vincent's Primary School, Ashfield; Stanmore Public School; Canterbury Public School; Marrickville Intensive English Centre; De La Salle College and Bethlehem College, Ashfield; Fort St High and Sydney Secondary College.
- More information on Australia 2020, the Youth Summit and Schools Summits is available at www.australia2020.gov.au
