Goal 8 - Open and Accountable Government that Listens and Plans for a Shared Future

Supporting benchmarks:

Activity directed towards achieving the benchmarks during 2006-07

Civics and Citizenship Curriculum Provision

Civics and citizenship education was incorporated into the key strands of Democratic Values and Processes and Responsible Citizenship within the Society and History curriculum area.

Development of the Society and History documentation began in 2007 and will be completed and ready for use in 2008.

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Active Civics and Citizenship Education

A number of civics and citizenship related programs are available to schools and colleges to increase student participation and knowledge of this curriculum area.

Celebrating Democracy Week is held annually and participating primary and secondary schools design and implement events and activities to celebrate the week.

The Every Voice Counts! student forum is held in Canberra each year as part of Celebrating Democracy Week. The forum brings together students from all over Australia to debate topical civics and citizenship education issues, and to participate in an intensive three-day program.

The National Schools Constitutional Convention is held at Old Parliament House in Canberra every year. This peak convention provides a national forum for Australia’s students to address issues arising from the Australian Constitution.

Rosetta Primary School is an excellent example of active civics and citizenship education. The school held a model United Nations Assembly for Celebrating Democracy Week. This was the culmination of five weeks of investigating the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the effectiveness of the work of the United Nations.

The students also participated in the Education for All Conference and the subsequent workshop with Colin Power from UNESCO. Their work was recognised with a national award and a presentation was made to the Governor-General in Canberra.

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