So how can we be involved?

The development of schools as communities of inquiry means opportunities are sought in everyday classroom activities as well as in special projects and forums, to discuss issues of importance to everyone. 

Questions to ask include:

• What is fair / unfair?
• Is my school safe? Is there bullying happening in my school?
• Is there discrimination that needs to be addressed?
• What are our questions/concerns about the larger world?
• What do we want to change?
• Why do some people bully?
• How can we help change this?
• What will we do? What would be appropriate?
• In whose interests would such action be? Who would be disadvantaged?
• What does this say about what we believe and value?
• What contribution would this make to making our school (and the world!) a better place for everyone?

Different kinds of forums will appeal to different students but all students from all year levels can be involved to make a difference in:

• Focus groups
• Curriculum committees
• Anti-bullying projects
• Anti-discrimination projects
• Peer support programs
• Peer tutoring programs
• Student action teams
• Sporting and cultural events
• School community liaison committees
• Community-based projects
• Community service

Examples of student action in different levels of education

Local: Student Leadership and Student Representative Councils (SRCs)
One way to participate is to be a leader through student leadership programs such as Student Representative Councils (SRCs). However, as not everyone can be a school captain or a member of the Student Representative Council, there are many other ways to get involved and be part of the student voice. Read about what’s happening in public schools in New South Wales. http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/studentsupport/studleadsrc/index.php

State: Chief Executive’s Student Forum
The Chief Executive’s Student Forum (CESF) is an initiative of the Northern Territory Department of Employment, Education and Training. The CESF is an opportunity for secondary students to express their views on current educational issues or developments and present formal recommendations to the Chief Executive of DEET. The forums allow students to ask questions, make suggestions and debate issues directly with top-level decision makers.

Commonwealth: 2020 Schools Summits
In the lead-up to the Youth Summit on 12-13 April 2008 and the Australia 2020 summit on 19 and 20 April 2008 the Australian Government invited Australian primary and secondary schools to participate in a series of school summits held across Australia. As the future adults of 2020, Australian school students have shown they have a strong and clear voice on the future of our nation.
http://www.australia2020.gov.au/schools/index.cfm

International: Student World Assembly
The Student World Assembly is a non-government, non­-partisan organization created to represent students globally. It provides a deliberative assembly where students around the world can exchange views, vote on global issues through online discussion forums and in annual international conventions, and translate these views into meaningful actions.
http://www.studentworldassembly.org/