Young People in Australia leadng environmental action

Find more videos like this on All Around You

So when I look at this subject and the medium used to assess it - a few things have happened- one I just got off the phone with a fellow class bloggette (Theresa) discussing how the blog helped with the community project.
So I am gong to spend tomorrow reflecting on this and then address it.
Whilst it was about getting the project happening, it has opened up a new focus for me and given that I work with youth I should have been over this a long time ago-using technology. I have loved it and can see the benefits on so many levels for my work, the community sector, and to develop community projects into action.
In thinking about this I came across this video of young people involved in environmental action and how they are leading this action. This is the focus of my project is to have the young people to own and lead the action.

Young People involved in community action at Princeton Uni

Princeton University Community Action Teaser from Student Volunteers Council on Vimeo.
My first video embedded into a post
The video shows the extent to which young people can and do become involved with their community. It is this commitment that my project is seeking to develop here.

Taking on Lynda's Philosophy

What can we Learn From........?????????
I was running a group this week with young people and in the midst of the group Lynda's lecture of 'What I can Learn From...." came back to me. The workshop operates on the Philosophy that we are all Teachers and Learners- this is set up with the young people from the beginning.

And having run this workshops many times I know this to be a truism for me. But I forget how much sometimes we do learn from each other and how even the smallest and simplest thing, situation can provide the strongest and most powerful example of learning, and how this can be easily missed if we think it is only a 'billard ball, bush fire, butterfly or broccoli'.

For me in this workshop and with the focus of my project is the need to look at the work of meteorologist Edward Lorenz "butterfly effect".
The Butterfly Effect: The Impact of Citizenship Education (Jennifer Ponder, Genell Lewis-Ferrell. The Social Studies. Washington: May/Jun 2009. Vol. 100, Iss. 3; pg. 129-134)
This article challenges us to use educate children and young people in political issues that have impacts on people in society. It is encouraging that using this method does have significant impacts in raising awareness and increases the probability of involvement within the community.

Research helps keep up my motivation

May 18th
Hi All,
I am personally feel that I had stalled in the plans of getting this project of the ground -  so in reflecting on where I am at, what it is I am doing, and trying to figure out where what and how from here, I went back to my project plan.

I began to re look at the research of why young people get involved with their community. Getting young people involved with their community leads to them being involved in civic and political issues later in their life(Hart, Donnelly, Youniss, and Atkins, 2007) .

I then found further inspiration in researching young people and collective action and came across two articles that look at the importance of 'HOPE'.
These articles by Courville and Piper and Peter Drahos identify that it is the companion of hope that gives momentum to social movement. The articles discuss the connection of  hope,empowerment, ideas for change, and action.
Reading these articles has helped me become reinvigorated, just what I needed at this point.

Courville, S. and Piper, N.The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 2004. 592 (1) 39-61

Draho, P. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 2004.592 (1) 18-38

Youniss, J. and Yates, M. 1997. Community service and social responsibility in youth. Chicago. University of Chicago Press.

Where to from here

Yesterday I spoke with Jo from my marketing Dept re my idea. She thinks it is a good idea as a means to connect with young people to get them involved in looking for ways to become involved.
Tried to call the teacher from the school and unfortunately was not able to get through.

This evening I had dinner with some friends and had the opportunity to speak to them about my project which was great. They gave me some good ideas to move this project forward.
It is inspiring that so many young people want to be involved in their community, it is something that I believe is not acknowledge enough by society.

Karen