NSW & ACT universities kick off 2009 with a vision

Vision Generation members were out in action around New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory earlier this month with stalls being setup at the universities of Sydney, New South Wales, Canberra and the Australian National University.

At the University of Sydney, an overwhelming 900 passionate students were recruited over just three days (and no, they didn't sign up just for the free sample of Fairtrade chocolate!). VGenners also spreaded the ethical message over the university radio station. They gained stage time on the Front Lawns, where the Cadbury gorilla led the destruction of slave chocolate pinjatas while local dance performance company, Breakthru Arts, interpreted child slavery in West Africa . Since O-Week, Sydney Uni has mobilised its new members at a social event at the Fairtrade Coffee Company, an advocacy stall and a Fairtrade chocolate fondue party!

Above inset: Sydney Uni executives Nicole and Jacqui
Credit: Kylie Grover. Click here to view the photo gallery

UNSW's week-long festivities gathered strength from the very first day, with all of the sign-up sheets running out. With a new support team, the volunteers excitedly promoted its group under the new brand of Vision Generation (the group was previously know as the World Vision club on campus). By giving out chocolate postcards, stickers and tatts, students were abuzz with excitement through the engagement of relevant youth issues. Such passion resulted in an awesome turnout to their welcome night, where students collaborated on the group's vision for the year. Check out their Facebook group...

Below inset: ANU Leaders Imogen & Craig, with ACT Vision Group Coordinator Steph (centre)

Credit: Gene Photography 2009. Click here to view the photo gallery

Following the successful and inaugural VGen presence at the Australian National University's orientation, the VGenners were so keen to get students involved that they held their first major event last weekend. 'Rescue Run' was held in conjuction with the Malaysian Students Council of Australia to bring international and local students together and to foster a relationship on campus for future humanitarian events. Over 100 students turned up on Saturday to run/walk 4.5km along Lake Burley Griffin, raising $1000 for World Vision's Child Rescue program. VGenner and Secretary of the Malaysian Students' Council, Eu Gene Hong said "It brought people from all walks of life from different religions and nationalities for a single cause- to rescue children from slavery."

Check out the upcoming events at these unis: http://vgen.org/nswevents

William @ VGen NSW/ACT

Let's tell the Government what VGen wants!

The Hon Kate Ellis MP, the Minister for Youth and Sport, and VGen's National Ambassador launched an incredible initiative last year to ensure young people's voices are heard.

The Australian Youth Forum (AYF) is run by the Australian Government as a communication channel between the Government, young people (aged 15 – 24) and the organisations that work with, for and on behalf of young people (also known as the youth sector). It is about engaging young people and the youth sector in on-going public debate and getting their input to policy and decision making on issues that affect young people’s lives now and in the future.

The AYF has a forum online where young people can submit ideas on policies/actions/inspiration and can share with the Government (and other passionate young people) ways to improve the world we live in.

What's really exciting is that the current topic on the the AYF website is global poverty!

Alana Smith, our national co-director and a member of the AYF steering committee, thinks the discussion forums are a great (and very easy way) for anyone to jump get their ideas and opinions on the issue out there! This current topic also presents a fantastic opportunity for VGen to be part of the debate and effectively shape policy.

Specifically, you can reflect on -

What can be done to reduce global poverty and meet the Millennium Development Goals?

What can we do as everyday Australians to help put an end to extreme poverty?

What should the Global Poverty Project include to be effective in communicating the realities of poverty?

How great would it be if VGenners all got on to this forum and started telling the Government how we want our world to be?

Q+A Cafe: Podcast live on iTunes Music Store! | VGen Vic

Hey VGenners!

A couple of weeks ago VGen Vic held an upclose and personal type of event which we called Q+A Cafe,

Q&A nights are pretty chilled evenings, where we can hear stories from inspiring advocates using their talents to make change. Guests share their passions and motivations in a casual interview setting where you can interact and be a part of the discussion. Whether you know a little or a lot about the injustices that shadow our globe, you can be sure to leave challenged and inspired to ‘be the change’ in your own world. 

The guest speakers we had included, Stephen Christian from US Rock band Anberlin, Cameron Neil from Fairtrade Australia and World Vision's own Meg Price.

The Q+A Cafe event was a massive success with the function room at the Retro Cafe almost packed...so we thought that we would share the inspirational event that is Q+A Cafe! Via Podcasting!

All you need to do is click on the image above and it will take you to the iTunes Music Store and there you have it. VGen in your iTunes!

If you don't have iTunes just head to http://www.itunes.com/download and download the application to your computer and then click the link.

Well thats all the news for you guys at the moment! Don't forget to check your VGen state pages to be notified about awesome events that our team's across the nation are running!

Aaron W @ VGen Vic

VGen hits up the University of Western Australia’s O’Day

WA’s first outing for 2009 was at the University of Western Australia’s O’Day. A few keen VGenners stuck it out in near 40 degree heat signing new recruits, displaying their soccer talents (with FairTrade soccer balls of course) and generally making a racket!

We managed to sign up over 150 new Stirrers, many of whom are keen to get involved with/help start up a Vision Group on campus.

To get involved with VGen WA, contact Courtney Robertson on wa@vgen.org