Students from across Georges River, Bayside and Sutherland council areas will converge on Shopfront Arts Co-op in Carlton on Thursday, November 22 as part of the Schools Refugee Forum – Awareness Advocacy Action.
The forum presents an opportunity for young people to learn about and discuss the challenges faced by refugees and people seeking asylum to help change the current narrative both within their schools and in the broader community.
Bayside, Georges River and Sutherland Council Community Development Officers, together with Shopfront Arts Co-op, Gymea Community Aid, Advance Diversity Services, Settlement Services International and Jesuit Refugee Services have been working alongside local young people to develop the all-day event, aimed at students in Years 9 and 10.
Local high school student leaders from Years 11 and 12 will lead the forum after participating in two days of training with the Australian Red Cross, Sydney Alliance, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and Community Migrant Resource Centre to build their skills and knowledge in facilitating effective conversations with their peers.
Participants will hear from local young people sharing their own stories of settlement in the region, and also have the opportunity to hear from experts working in the field.
Students will participate in fun and engaging activities that seek to break down common misconceptions which are frequently reported and spoken about in relation to refugees and people seeking asylum.
Entertainment will include drumming workshops led by Lucky African Dance Company.
Feedback from previous participants included: “Our students took away the importance and power we have to make a difference on the issues of refugees and people seeking asylum”.
Representatives from each Council area have been invited to attend at the end of the day to hear what students have learned, and what they will action in their own schools and communities as a result of their learnings.
For more information people can contact Shopfront via hello@shopfront.org.au or call 02 9588 3948, or call Council’s Community Development Officer Youth on 9330 6400.