Initiatives
FYA delivers a range of initiatives that are focused on improving the educational outcomes and life chances of young Australians.
Cityscape students at SYN studios, Melbourne
Cityscape
Designed for students in Years 9 and 10 and their teachers, Cityscape is a bold approach to the middle years of education. Over five days, student teams carry out an active research project throughout the city and engage in workshops with Cityscape’s diverse organisational partners.
In 2008 the Australian Youth Research Centre conducted an extensive evaluation of the program. That evaluation “confirmed the value of Cityscape in developing and nurturing young peoples’ social, interpersonal, reflective and team skills.”
ruMAD?
The ruMAD? (Are you Making A Difference?) program is a dynamic mix of education, action, advocacy and events. Think of it as a toolkit that enables young people to lead social change and become active citizens. It is focused on values, led by students and benefits the whole community.
“ruMAD? students learn that they are important today: for what they can do, for the dreams and hopes they hold and for the changes they can bring about.”
- Roger Holdsworth, Senior Research Associate, University of Melbourne.
In 2008, the Australian Youth Research Council evaluated the ruMAD? Program: Real Engagement with Real issues: An Evaluation into the ruMAD? Program
Click on the links below to read ruMAD? case studies
Ctrl, Alt, Delete: It’s time for youth to push the switch!
Rise Against Racism
Children’s Community Garden at Myuna Farm
Canine Crunchies
Can a ball change the world?
Worlds of Work (WOW)
The Worlds of Work program (WOW) seeks to build the capacity of students from socially and economically disadvantaged communities to effectively participate in the future global worlds of work.
WOW builds students’ understanding of what success means for them and uses practical experiences to increase knowledge of career pathways, employment practices and successful employment.
A new national model is currently being developed for this program and will be launched in 2010.
Worlds of Work participants punch above their weight
Scholarships
Opportunity Scholarships provide support for disadvantaged young people in Australian government schools to pursue their talents and aspirations.
Young Social Pioneers
Young Social Pioneers (YSP) is an initiative run in conjunction with the International Youth Foundation (IYF) that strengthens, supports and celebrates the role of young people in creating positive change in their communities, whether at the local, national or global level.
The program is based on IYF’s global initiative, which has supported 120 young change makers from 55 countries, including eight Australians.
Young Social Pioneers recognises that in the face of urgent social challenges – poverty, climate change, HIV/AIDS, homelessness – young people are exercising their leadership potential like never before.
Schools First
Schools First is an awards-based initiative designed to build, strengthen and reward excellence in school-community partnerships around Australia.
Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard launched Schools First in October 2008. The program has been developed in partnerships between the NAB, ACER and FYA. This program is recognised as the single largest corporate investment in education in Australia’s history
With $15 million of award funds committed by NAB over the next three years, the initiative aims to promote best practice in school-community partnerships that enhance outcomes for students.
