Practitioners
Paul Davis – Kids Congress
"I was amazed by the congress, in terms of what kids can do if they are provided with a challenge and given an opportunity to become engaged."
Background
Education officer Paul Davis is a mentor for Kids Congress, a big project led by Year 5 students across 36 Catholic schools in the diocese of Broken Bay, NSW. Sustained over two years, the approach encourages students to collaborate through new technologies and learning environments to explore contemporary issues.
What is ‘Kids Congress’ and how has your diocese approached it?
Our project has involved all Year 5 students across the diocese. In NSW, Year 6 is the final year of primary school, so these students will be leaders of their schools in the following year. Through the congress, they have the opportunity to collaborate on a sustained project over two years – unpacking their issues in the first year, coming together in one venue for two days to present and discuss the issues and then moving into action on their issue in the following year.
Our idea was to use technology to allow the children to identify their own concerns, work together to establish the facts and then move towards action to bring about change. We particularly wanted the Year 5 children to own the congress and for it to be organised and run by kids.
How much of a role do the students really play?
While there’s certainly been support from teachers, most of the congress has been created by students. For starters, the children in each Year 5 class identified a contemporary issue of concern and chose two delegates to act on their behalf.
The group of 120 delegates from across the diocese were given a process to enable them to identify just 12 delegates who would form the Kids Congress Organising Committee (KCOC). The KCOC then took on the whole task of planning and communicating, culminating in the two day event when all delegates attended a camp to discuss their issues.
I believe we underestimate the ability of kids to rise to the occasion. Who would have thought that 12 eleven year olds would plan, coordinate and run a successful three day event where the adults stayed in the background!What sorts of issues were identified?
Across the diocese, six main strands emerged. These covered physical health aspects such as childhood obesity and smoking … human rights including global poverty, racism, refugees, terrorism and inequality … animal rights... safety issues which included child abuse … environmental issues such as global warming and the effects of war on the environment ... and emotional health which captured a lot of interest. This last strand covered issues such as bullying, cultural bullying, cyber bullying and self esteem/peer pressure.
Each Year 5 class summarised and presented their issue in a podcast and students across the diocese were encouraged to view all the podcasts and respond to the issues and ideas. The podcasts and subsequent discussions then became the focus of the two day congress. The podcasts are great. They can still be seen at http://www.cso.dbb.catholic.edu.au/home/podcasts/kids2006/Welcome.html.How did the students report and follow up on their learning?
Following the big event, delegates reported back to their classes using a digital presentation which then formed the basis for action the following year. Delegates were encouraged to stay in contact with students across the diocese, especially those who were addressing a similar issue. This has enabled strategies and projects to be shared – and for the Year 6 leaders in all our primary schools to feel part of a larger group who are not only concerned about the world but are doing something positive about their concerns.
Paul, what’s been the biggest delight or surprise for you?
I was amazed by the congress, in terms of what kids can do if they are provided with a challenge and given an opportunity to become engaged. The process of connecting with others across the diocese and debating, sharing, discussing issues and concerns exceeded my expectations. We noted that over 25,000 emails were sent by the year 5 classes during this time of preparation. Not only did the congress empower kids to use the technology they had available, it also brought the kids together on-line.
I felt very proud of our year 5 kids as a whole and the delegates as a group of representatives. Their enthusiasm and passion for their chosen area and their commitment to carrying out their tasks reflected their ownership of not only the concept, but their group.
Anything you’d like to say to others wondering whether to give it a go?
From our evaluation we identified a number of changes that we’d recommend for our next kids’ congress. We plan to extend pre-congress activities over three terms and connect with a common unit in the curriculum; reduce the number of final issues; extend the congress to three days and have some form of reconnection in the year following the congress; and have the ‘call to action’ plans publicised as diocesan projects and linked more closely to local, state and national initiatives.
I would encourage others to try a similar concept, but it is important that it be structured in a way that is not seen as a one off, take it or leave it event. It is also important to have strong support and commitment by school principals for the best possible outcome.
More information...
Kids Congress 2006 - Diocese of Broken Bay
http://www.apple.com/au/education/profiles/kids_congress/index.html
Atlas of Student Action for the Planet (ASAP)
http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/planet/index.asp
TakingITGlobal
http://www.takingitglobal.org/
Student Action for Change
http://www.actionforchange.org/
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