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June 15, 2011 The Hon. Peter Garrett AM MP, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth Affairs has endorsed the pioneering civics education outreach projects CEFA is running for Australian schools and universities in 2011. In a message to all Australian students and teachers, the Minister stressed the importance of engagement in a democracy and encourages all schools to participate in CEFA’s innovative projects such as the Parliaments in Schools and AusCivics Film Festivals as a way of promoting this trend towards engagement in the Australian democracy amongst young people. A national mail out to schools commences June 14th, 2011.
The full text of the Minister’s message is reproduced below: A MESSAGE FROM THE HON PETER GARRETT AM, MP I very much welcome the terrific national civics education that the Constitution Education Fund Australia (CEFA) has been providing to young Australians since 1995. In particular I am impressed by the pioneering civics education outreach projects CEFA is running for Australian schools and universities in 2011. CEFA projects complement what is being taught at State and Federal levels across all curricula and syllabuses in our schools and universities. Projects for 2011 include the CEFA School Parliaments, online and hard-copy civics education resources written in simple accessible language, education film festivals and online film resources under the banner of ‘AusCivics’, and essay competitions and scholarships under the patronage of Her Excellency the Governor-General. It is essential for the Australian democracy that citizens understand the value and freedom of our right to vote. I believe that politicians and educators have a duty to do everything possible to ensure each and every young Australian in every community is an informed and participating citizen now and in the future. CEFA in partnership with Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is providing practical experiences on the history and workings of our democracy. I encourage your school and students to participate in CEFA’s civics education projects in 2011. I send my very best wishes to everyone involved in this significant national effort in civics education. Yours sincerely, The Hon Peter Garrett AM, MP
Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth Please visit our website regularly for the latest developments in Australian civics education. For the latest on the AusCivics Film Festivals, please visit www.auscivics.org.au |
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