The University of Melbourne’s Australian Youth Research Centre has released an evaluation of The ruMAD? (Are You Making a Difference) Program, which aims to encourage, educate and empower young people to make a difference and facilitate social change within their schools and local communities.
Over 1000 Australian schools have participated in ruMAD? since its inception in 2001, either through organising MAD Day, by initiating an ruMAD? (Social change) project, by supporting an ruMAD? Student Foundation, or by becoming an ruMAD? student ambassador.
Diverse themes and issues addressed or pursued to date have included Homelessness, Depression, Poverty, Climate Change, Violence and Landmines.
While the framework allows for flexibility in implementing specific projects, an ruMAD? experience typically consists of three sequential phases (Understanding, Action and Celebration) and is generally facilitated/delivered over two terms.
237 schools in five Australian states took part in ruMAD? activities in 2008. The Australian Youth Research Centre (AYRC) evaluation examines the impact and delivery of the program during this period.
“The kids believe it gives them an idea of what the future looks like. That’s a major plus… [Both] teachers and kids believe they are making a difference” - [Teacher, Loganlea State High School].
Read the full AYRC report here
Find out more about ruMAD? here
