Victorian Young Leaders: Global Youth Forums
The Victorian Young Leaders (VYL) Global Youth Forums (GYFs) were successfully piloted in 2020 as an alternative to the VYL offshore immersion programs. It is a collaborative three-day forum open to Year 9 students and select international schools in Semester 1 and 2, 2023 and will be hosted virtually by Asia Education Foundation at the University of Melbourne. The theme for the 2023 GYFs is 'Reimagining Education'.
In this program, students work across Victorian schools and with their international student peers to critically discuss concepts of global citizenship and identity, investigate global challenges facing the international community, exercise design thinking to generate ideas to these challenges, and undertake a collaborative group design challenge that seeks to prototype a solution. Students are provided an opportunity to present and seek feedback on their prototypes from their peers and teachers and are encouraged to pilot their prototypes back in their local school communities.
At the end of the 3-day program, students will:
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appreciate and understand what it means to be a global citizen by critically interacting with the concept of globalisation, comparing diverse perspectives of globalisation, and identifying the ways that globalisation influences their life;
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deepen their understanding of the impacts of globalisation on education systems/policies by identifying key issues in education today, and identifying the bias and influences that shape their worldview, and their role in shaping global citizenship;
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strengthen their awareness of their own biases and the biases of others and recognise that this awareness is needed to overcome divisions and create inclusive communities; and
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identify ways they can respond to divisive views and behaviours and the role they can play in making their vision for the local and global community a reality.
Teachers and students are supported by pre and post forum activities designed to build their foundational knowledge for maximum engagement, and are exposed to captivating guest speakers and youth change-makers. A core benefit for students participating in the forums are the carefully constructed opportunities to strengthen their global competency and metacognitive skills, as well as meaningfully exercise their voice, agency and leadership.
The program's learning design aligns with the general capabilities and cross-curriculum priorities of the Victorian F-10 Curriculum (Level 9) and Framework for Improving Student Outcomes 2.0 (Engagement and Teaching and Learning).
The first VYL GYF is confirmed for Term 1, 2023.
To expression interest in the second VYL GYF program for Term 3, 2023, contact:
global-learning.engagement@education.vic.gov.au. The program is open to all Victorian Year 9 students in teams of three to six with a participating teacher. Places will be strictly limited.
For further information, see:
AEF – GYF 2023.
