Looking at the headlines around the world today, it’s easy to understand the importance of interfaith and intercultural awareness in schools. After all, today’s youth will go on to become tomorrow’s leaders.
On 12 August, high school students from 18 schools will converge at Parliament House in Canberra to voice their ideas around how to create unity in a disconnected world.
Based around the theme ‘Growing Belonging in a Disconnected World’, Together For Humanity’s inaugural National Youth Summit will allow young people to share their ideas around how to address diversity, inclusion and community cohesion in Australia.
Participating schools include those from the Government, Independent, and Catholic sector, as well as those from metropolitan and regional Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and the ACT, with a mix of faiths, including Catholic and Islamic.
“After several successful state-based youth summits in NSW and Victoria, Together For Humanity is continuing our expansion of coast-to-coast programs and activities by holding our first ever national summit,” Annette Schneider, CEO of Together For Humanity, said.
“What better place to bring the future leaders of Australia together than Parliament House, where they can speak directly to the country’s decision makers and be inspired to be change-makers themselves.”
At the summit, students will take part in group discussions and collaborative brainstorming sessions, presenting their ideas to political and community leaders on how to address the diversity and inclusion concerns in their respective local areas.
During the summit, students will hear from inspirational speakers including Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, the Hon Jason Clare MP, the Hon Dr Anne Aly MP, ABC Radio presenter Sirine Demachkie and human rights campaigner Thenu Herath (Advisor with the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue and former CEO of The Oaktree Foundation).
“The schools joining us at the summit represent the distinct face of Australia’s youth and are a sample of the diverse makeup of schools in the country,” Rabbi Zalman Kastel AM, Dean and Founder of Together For Humanity, said.
“Events such as this, which allow students to interact with other young people they may never have had the chance to, have proven benefits in promoting belonging, and helping students to appreciate differences and overcome stereotypes.”