August 18, 2008 

On Friday, August 15, His Honour Mr Tom Pauling AO QC and Mrs Tessa Pauling visited Al-Zahra College, Arncliffe NSW to see the Constitution Education Fund Australia’s (CEFA) Civics for Life Parliamentary Club (PC) program at work. Al-Zahra College is an Islamic primary school currently implementing this innovative program in civics and values education.

His Honour and Mrs Pauling and their official delegation was taken on a tour of the school by the Principal, Mr Ahmad Mokachar, before being invited to attend a session of the school’s Parliamentary sitting at which His Honour was invited by the school’s Governor-General to open Parliament. The practicality and usefulness of the PC as a forum for civil discourse was shown by the students debating rigorously a Bill related to the merits of starting school later during the Holy Ramadan (fasting month for Muslims) commencing September 1. The Parliament voted unanimously in favour of the Bill.

At the conclusion of the sitting, His Honour addressed the Parliament and thanked all members present for the opportunity to see as well as being a part of the school’s democratic process for the day. He spoke of Australia’s proud democratic heritage and congratulated all members of the House for the spirit and manner in which they conducted themselves. He concluded by wishing them well in their future debates and hopes CEFA will expand the PCs to the NT.

Mr Don Perna, CEFA’s Parliamentary Club Director, praised Al-Zahra College for being the first primary school in Australia to fully implement the program. He stated they were achieving all aspects of effective implementation “allowing students to develop measurable abilities to work cooperatively, take responsibility, think in critical and systematic ways, resolve conflict in a non-violent manner, respect and defend good Australian values. Through the PCs young citizens gain the skills to effectively participate in public life and engage their Australian community.

The Hon Mr Barrie Unsworth in his capacity as CEFA trustee thanked His Honour and Mrs Pauling for their patronage and ongoing support of CEFA’s ongoing civics education work. Mr Unsworth expressed his admiration for all the students who participated in the debate and reminded those in attendance of the importance to the work in educating young Australians so that they can develop into informed, knowledgeable and active citizens.