ASEAN -AUSTRALIAN YOUTH FORUM

Year 11 Politics students assumed the roles of Asian leaders working to combat climate change in October. The Footscray City College library hosted the ASEAN-Australia Youth Forum in the Library on October 24, featuring three delegations from FCC (representing Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore), more than 50 students and teachers from other schools, and guest speakers including an  Australian diplomat.

Stepping up to the lectern as the leaders of their country, students had to research then represent their country’s stance on the issue of climate change, including energy, natural disasters and nature conservation, and biodiversity. However, the hard work really began when delegates from all 11 countries in the region had to agree on shared strategies to address the issue. Students got a first-hand taste of the protocols, power plays and frustrations of diplomacy, but international incidents were avoided, and actions agreed.

Nic Price - Humanities teacher