Curriculum Committee - Student Forum

VATE has always believed in the importance of young people engaging in issues of national significance if they are to develop into the informed and active members of society envisioned by the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration.

In the past we have conducted two student forums: one on the Republic referendum, the other on Wik Native Title. They took place at Melbourne Town Hall to capacity audiences. This forum provides another communal space, albeit this time a virtual one, to allow for the opportunity to inform and educate students about the significance of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and the ways in which it addresses issues of reconciliation between First Nations people and non-Indigenous Australians. We do so in the context of the work that English teachers and educators are already doing in teaching the cross-curriculum priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Histories and Cultures.

To date, the current debates about the Voice to Parliament referendum have dominated awareness about the Uluru Statement to the possible exclusion of its other key components – treaty and truth telling. Irrespective of the outcome of the referendum these components will have a recurring resonance in the educational, cultural, social, and political life of the nation. To support students in their discussions and deliberations, vis-à-vis both the referendum and the Uluru Statement, the forum will focus on the following issues:

• What is the history of the Uluru Statement, how did it evolve and what does it hope to achieve?

• How might we critically analyse the language of the Uluru Statement and the referendum campaigns, and the ways in which they have been represented in the media?

• What do we need to know about the ways in which constitutional reform works, the legal terminology of proposed amendments and the voting processes involved in referendums?

• What is the significance of the Uluru Statement for young people, and especially young First Nations people?

We encourage you to register your classes for participation in this forum. Registrations are welcome from students in English or other classes at VATE member schools.

Please register for the Student Forum here

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be emailed to events@vate.org.au. Cancellations received by 12pm five working days prior to the event date will be charged a 15% cancellation fee. Cancellations received after this will receive NO REFUND. Registrations can, however, be transferred to another staff member. Please email events@vate.org.au the details. If you do not attend and have not notified VATE according to the above policy, you will receive no refund.  Please note: If this event is cancelled due to COVID government or venue restrictions, you will receive a full refund.