https://youtu.be/9_KKwu_pmhA
South Coast students are examining global issues to identify the problems challenging their local areas.
The South Coast Youth Leadership Forum (SCYLF) hosted 64 students who committed last weekend to learn how to take action as effective community leaders.
Lead SCYLF organiser John Lamont said the forum helped students understand how they can address issues in the community.
“The ‘glocalisation‘ project gets students to think of global issues highlighted in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and then bringing them to a local level,” Mr Lamont said.
Students identified the issues they felt were important and then worked in teams to develop potential solutions.
“They then present these projects and can apply for funding to see if they can be implemented,” Lamont said.
SCYLF Youth Facilitator Alana Faust said the projects help students to put global issues into perspective.
“These issues are so easy to think about on a big level so it can seem almost impossible to take them on,” Ms Faust said.
“So we’re really encouraging people to look right in front of them and see what they can do in their area.”
Health and access to education were two of the key issues students recognised, and homelessness was identified as the biggest problem in the area.
A group of students worked on homelessness as their community project, and pitched a winning idea to help address the issue.
“We want plastic containers to be placed in workplaces so that employees can donate toiletries,” one student said.
“These can then be made into kits for men and women who are homeless, improving their hygiene.”
Students can apply for funding between $300 and $1000 to put their ideas into practice.
“It’s up to the students to the young leaders to follow through with their project,” Mr Lamont said.
“We make sure they have insurance and funding, and we try to break down any other barriers that get in the way.”
Each of the projects pitched at the conference will be presented to Regional Development Australia later this month.
