2020 package aimed at ‘eyes of innocence’

By Paul Cross

AN educational multimedia resource package designed to encourage discussion on Defence issues by secondary school students has been launched to an appreciative audience in Canberra.

CDF General Peter Cosgrove and Head Public Affairs Corporate Communication Jenny McKenry launched Defence 2020 Protecting Australia’s People and Places.

Even though the package is designed for schools, Defence has not shied away from the hard issues including women in the front line, conscription and Australia’s involvement in conflict.

GEN Cosgrove said there was a connection between Defence and children and to have the challenges of the ADF viewed through the “eyes of innocence” would give a new and distinct perspective.

Defence is set to send out 3100 curriculum-based packages to schools around Australia, containing teacher information, a student workbook, a video and a multimedia CD-ROM. In addition a community web site dedicated to the program has been launched on the Internet.

The main focus of classroom activities in the kit is the Society and Environmental Key Learning Area for years 9-11, with emphasis on civics and citizenship elements, although the kit also supports activities in science, art and English.

Integral to the kit is a series of 14 national challenges to be held around the country, culminating in a national forum in October.

The challenges will bring together young Australians, politicians, ADF personnel and community representatives to explore many of the issues surrounding Defence and Australia’s future.

The resource material was developed by Ryebuck Media, a specialist educational developer, with the help of curriculum experts and teachers from each state and territory.

The material was also judged to be educationally sound by an independent group of teachers.

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