Civics education for a vibrant democracy

Australia is recognised across the world as a vibrant democracy. We are envied for our system of government, our federation and the freedoms we enjoy under our rule of law.

We are one of the few countries to have been continuously democratic throughout the course of the 20th century. However, we suffer from a well documented lack of interest in issues of international and domestic importance, and our politicians are often lowly regarded, experiencing a general lack of respect and trust.

Despite many millions of dollars being spent in the last ten years on civics and citizenship education programs, many by well-intentioned governments, reports continue to show no improvement in civics understanding or interest across the Australian population.

In the next ten years, the Constitution Education Fund Australia (CEFA) aims to turn these attitudes around by developing an informed and engaged citizenry. CEFA is building partnerships between governments, business communities and charities to establish pioneering and effective civics education projects.

Personally I was inspired by the 2008 delivery of the Boyer lectures given by Rupert Murdoch. He emphasised the need to “revive the sense of Australia as a frontier country”. He proposed effective education programs that are a partnership between government and private organisations. Social enterprise projects (SEPs) are a modern way forwards for non-profit, non-partisan, project-based organisations such as CEFA which want to give back to the community.

SEPs link governments, businesses and non-government organisations (NGOs) for organisational projects without the profit motive. Projects that utilise the Australian interest in volunteering and local community engagement are also proving very successful. CEFA combines all these elements as Australia’s foremost national civics education provider. Our goal is never to duplicate projects or resources already being effectively provided by governments, universities and other bodies.

CEFA is a non-profit private charity dedicated to non-partisan practical civics education programs, national civics projects, partnerships and awards that develop the civics knowledge, skills and capacities of young Australians. CEFA’s civics learning activities develop informed, responsible and active citizens through structured experiences. These experiences are stimulating, exciting, practical and interesting and engage young Australians in the history and operation of the Australian democracy.

CEFA was established to help all Australians gain a better understanding of the Australian Constitution. The constitution belongs to all Australians. It is the foundation of our system of government, gives us our national unity and guarantees our freedoms. CEFA educates Australians of all ages about the workings of the Australian constitutional arrangements, the Australian system of government and the history and operation of the Australian democracy. CEFA does this through utilising cutting edge teaching and learning tools that are the best on offer in modern educational practice.

CEFA is supported by whole local communities including academics, business leaders, High Court Judges, teachers, families, community leaders, volunteers, schools and foundations. CEFA is governed by an eminent Board of Trustees under the Patronage of the Australian Governor-General and each of the State Governors. CEFA’s practical civics projects such as “School Parliaments” engage students from a wide variety of backgrounds, abilities and provide skills that are empowering thousands of students not normally involved in traditional leadership programs to become knowledgeable, responsible and engaged participants in the Australian community.

The Australian process of democracy and government will be improved through a more engaged and informed population. Reports show about 80 per cent of the community are disengaged from the process of governance. Young people also demonstrate very low levels of interest, as was shown in the latest National Civics and Citizenship Assessment Report, released in February 2009. To counter this, CEFA’s practical civics education projects are developing a new generation of active, responsible and informed citizens. CEFA engages whole communities in civics through volunteer support programs, award ceremonies hosted by our patrons, civics events and media coverage at local and national levels.

The CEFA school parliaments create a democratic model within schools that can rival sporting and rock eisteddfod programs for student interest. The parliaments are offered through a variety of teaching and learning pathways. Adaptable for both primary and secondary schools, parliaments can be a whole-of-school or individual class syllabus teaching and learning integrated civics tool. The students take on the roles of parliamentarians, advisers, parliamentary officers, committee members, journalists and cartoonists. Students form political parties, produce school newspapers, debate issues relevant to them and their communities and learn the value of their vote. The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) often conducts our school elections. CEFA partners all relevant educational authorities and has approval for our school parliaments to be offered to all primary and secondary schools across Australia.

In 2008, CEFA’s school parliaments attracted substantial national media support such as on the ABC’s Compass program. This program featured our first elected Islamic Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kahi, from Al-Zahra College in Arncliffe, New South Wales. Each week more schools from across Australia are being introduced to CEFA’s school parliaments. Our school mentoring program is attracting significant support from a broad spectrum of Australians. We are working on significant funding from leading organisations and sponsors to implement school parliaments in disadvantaged schools and areas with high indigenous populations. We hope very soon to see the election of our first Aboriginal prime ministers.

CEFA’s Governor-General’s Undergraduate Essay Competition engages undergraduate students from all universities in Australia in annual essay writing on topics relevant to modern government and civics issues. Now in its sixth year, the finals are judged by a panel consisting of a High Court Justice and eminent Australian academics in the Law and Humanities who are nominated by CEFA. Previous winners of this competition have gone on to outstanding career opportunities. CEFA also offers annual research scholarships to Australian university students who show outstanding personal civics related interest and engagement.

CEFA’S funding is completely reliant on private sources which come from individual school mentors, individual benefactors, major sponsors and financial partners. Many communities are now fundraising as a cluster to get their local schools running a parliament. General donations are also welcome and support the university essay competitions and CEFA’s scholarship programs. Mentors, sponsors and partners receive many benefits and much recognition as a thank you from the children and community they are empowering. Where desired, national and state awards ceremonies also pay fitting tributes to those involved at all levels.

Supporting the establishment of a school parliament is a highly rewarding experience. Mentors receive their school parliament’s mace and recognition certificates. Implementation of the school parliament is arranged by CEFA including approaching the school authorities, providing school parliament resources and materials, professional teacher training and ongoing support for all aspects of implementation. Mentors choose their own level of involvement from local school parliament events, to optional attendance at state and national awards ceremonies, exhibition days, and special CEFA functions held at state and national levels.

The CEFA website www.cefa.org.au details CEFA’s activities. Case studies, evaluations, annual reports, media releases, sponsorship details, and CEFA’s strict internal governance and evaluation procedures are also online. CEFA’s available materials include information and marketing packages, the objectives of the Fund and testimonials, regular newsletters by email and mail, press releases and teaching and learning resources and materials.

CEFA aims to empower an active, engaged and responsible citizenry over the next ten years. We offer a variety of practical projects that engage Australians with our political and social heritage, our system of government, our democratic processes and values, our public administration and our judicial system. Australia’s first female Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, is CEFA’s patron-in-chief. Her recent letter in support of our work emphasises the importance of CEFA’s civics education projects:

We are a young country, but a strong one; a multicultural nation brought together by our democratic values and Constitution. In our fast-paced and globalised world, it is vital that all young Australians understand our governance systems, to enable them to participate effectively in current and future political discussions. In the words of Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.