The Australian Curriculum Studies Association (ACSA) was commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to manage the 2008 Civics and Citizenship Education National Forum held on Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 June 2008 at the National Museum of Australia, Canberra.

40 schoolteachers active in civics and citizenship education (CCE) were selected from around Australia to participate. Teachers from Government, Catholic and Independent schools attended.

The forum brought together speakers, stakeholders, curriculum leaders, principals and educators. Keynote addresses, presentations and workshops provided the impetus for discussions about civics and citizenship education in Australian schools. 

The forum aims were to:

* Raise the awareness of the national agenda in civics and citizenship education; and

* Promote good teaching practice in civics and citizenship education in Australian schools. 

CEFA’s Director of The Parliamentary Club National Initiative, Don Perna, was selected as a delegate and attended the conference. The forum discussed results achieved by Australian school students at the National Assessment for Learning in Civics and Citizenship Education in 2004 and 2007. 

Suzanne Mellor, senior research fellow at the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), expressed disappointment and dismay at the poor results achieved in both of these national assessments. Ms Mellor questioned the forum as to why this could be the case especially with increased funding of over 18 million dollars for resource development and professional development of CCE. 

George Williams, Anthony Mason Professor of Law at University of NSW, spoke in great depth of the challenges we face in teaching young people about our democracy, especially when our system has many complexities. Professor Williams is a Foundation Council member of CEFA. 

During the initial phase of the forum two perspectives became apparent: 

1. Representatives of curriculum organisations, state and territory education departments and academic and research bodies suggest that improved resources, pedagogy and assessment strategies be utilized in addressing the issue of poor understanding and lack of engagement in Australia’s youth 
2. Teaching practitioners believe that to address the National Statements of Learning for CCE and also produce informed and active citizens, a whole-of-school approach is needed, as there are severe time constraints in the already crowded curriculum

At the end of the forum, a general agreement emerged that a multi-dimensional approach to CCE was absolutely necessary if schools were to successfully meet the needs of our students in becoming informed and active citizens. CEFA is one of the only organizations in Australia not only advocating a whole-of-school approach to CCE with its Parliamentary Club initiative, but already delivering professional development to schools assisting them implement this essential multi-dimensional strategy. CEFA is delighted once again to note that its major CCE initiative is already addressing the issues raised at this national forum and highlighting the fact that CCE is not only the responsibility of HSIE and SOSE teachers, but also the responsibility of the whole school community.  

To read the comprehensive report of the forum click here