Environmental student attends Australia/India sustainability forum

Faculty of Science and Technology

Third year Environmental Science (Environment Management) student, Tom Kelly, has recently returned from the Australia/India Universities Youth Forum (AIUYF) in Sydney. Tom was one of 54 students from Australia and India brought together for the program designed to give attendees an increased knowledge of the key issues of sustainability, including sustainability leadership training.

A cruise around Sydney Harbour marked the start of two weeks of interactive workshops, events and activities. A three day leadership course also equipped participants with the tools to become sustainability leaders in their own communities. During this workshop the AIUYF Protocol was created – the group’s sustainability action plan which was presented at the Australian Association for Environmental Education conference in Darwin.

One of the highlights of the trip for Tom was visiting the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra. ‘The ANU has undertaken numerous community projects to create awareness of environmental issues and promote student involvement in green programs. They have a well maintained organic vegetable garden tended by students, giving them an opportunity to have hands on experience in sustainability,’ Tom said.

Attendees also experienced some great sites, including a tour of the Blue Mountains and a three day eco tour of outback Australia. ‘As well as visiting Uluru, Kings Canyon and cattle stations, we explored fossil sites and even managed to fit in a game of outback cricket! Sleeping in swags under the stars was a unique experience for many of the students,’ Tom said.

One of the aims of the forum was to create national and international networks between students from a variety of academic and cultural backgrounds. ‘Many long lasting friendships and networks were formed between students and universities both around Australia and internationally. It will be interesting to see how this network we have formed will enable the AIUYF participants to instigate change and awareness in our own communities and universities,’ Tom said.